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2026 Kentucky Derby set May 2; Renegade, Commandment favored

4/28/2026

25 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Renegade Enters Derby

The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place on May 2 at Churchill Downs, with Renegade on post 1 at 4-1 odds and Commandment (6-1) from post 6 among the field.
FanDuel Racing, TwinSpires and 1/ST BET are offering bonuses up to $500, while win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagers are available.
Luis Saez rides Commandment in his 13th Derby start, with both Renegade and Commandment having a 35-day rest.

Summary

Derby Purse Stays

The Derby purse remains $5 million, with the winner receiving $3.1 million.
NBC will broadcast the race at 2:30 p.m. ET while Peacock streams it from noon ET.
Secretariat’s 1973 record of 1:59.4 still stands as the fastest Derby time.
No Florida-bred horses entered, although Albus, Chief Wallabee, Commandment and The Puma ran in the Florida Derby.
Alternates Great White, Ocelli, Robusta and Corona de Oro stand by for any scratches.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1875, Churchill Downs grew from Col. Matt Winn’s early-20th-century rescue to become the home of the Triple Crown, whose first record-shattering moment arrived when Secretariat ran 1:59.4 in the 1973 Derby before a crowd of 134,476. That legacy spurred NBC and betting firms to lift the purse to $5 million for the 2026 race.

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Renegade Enters Derby

The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place on May 2 at Churchill Downs, with Renegade on post 1 at 4-1 odds and Commandment (6-1) from post 6 among the field.
FanDuel Racing, TwinSpires and 1/ST BET are offering bonuses up to $500, while win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagers are available.
Luis Saez rides Commandment in his 13th Derby start, with both Renegade and Commandment having a 35-day rest.

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