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2026 Kentucky Derby Set: Renegade Favorite, Bill Mott Targets Win

4/30/2026

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Summary

Renegade Leads

The Kentucky Derby will be at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 2, 2026 at 6:57 p.m. ET.
Renegade opens as the 4-1 favorite from post 1, with Further Ado and Commandment at 6-1 and Chief Wallabee (8-1) and The Puma (10-1) rounding out the five.
Trainer Bill Mott seeks wins with Chief Wallabee as TwinSpires offers $400 bonus bets (code CBSSPORTS).
Silent Tactic was scratched, Great White (50-1) entered the field, causing handicappers Demling, Yu and Menez to fade Renegade.

Summary

Cox Secures Derby

Brad Cox’s only Derby win was confirmed in February 2022 after Mandaloun was awarded the race following Medina Spirit’s disqualification.
Cox earned $30 million in 2021, 2023 and 2025, won Eclipse Awards in 2020-21, yet lacks a Preakness win.
Riley Mott will debut Incredibolt against his father Bill Mott, while Mark Glatt seeks a Derby win after his wife Dena died on February 12 as 62-year-old jockey Mike Smith could become oldest winner.

History

Historical Context

In 1913, longshot Donerail won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs at 91-1 odds, paying $184.90 on a $2 bet—the biggest upset in Derby history. Renovations that year raised capacity to 30,000 and cut the minimum bet to $2, while Donerail was housed three miles away and walked to the track. Jockey Roscoe Goose rode him for owner Charles T. Fisher.

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Renegade Leads

The Kentucky Derby will be at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 2, 2026 at 6:57 p.m. ET.
Renegade opens as the 4-1 favorite from post 1, with Further Ado and Commandment at 6-1 and Chief Wallabee (8-1) and The Puma (10-1) rounding out the five.
Trainer Bill Mott seeks wins with Chief Wallabee as TwinSpires offers $400 bonus bets (code CBSSPORTS).
Silent Tactic was scratched, Great White (50-1) entered the field, causing handicappers Demling, Yu and Menez to fade Renegade.

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