Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Renegade Favored for 2026 Derby from Historic Post 1

5/2/2026

44 6

Summary

Renegade Leads Derby

Renegade (4-1) is the morning-line favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2.
The race starts at 6:57 p.m. ET with 19 starters after The Puma (10-1) was scratched.
Renegade will break from post No. 1—a position that has not yielded a winner since 1986—after trainer Todd A. Pletcher entered the horse following Arkansas Derby and Sam F. Davis victories.

Summary

Alvarado Earns

The 2026 Kentucky Derby will award a $5 million purse, with $3.1 million going to the winning horse.
Owners will receive 80 % of the winner’s purse while the trainer and jockey each get 10 %.
The winning jockey, Junior Alvarado, will earn $310,000 in addition to the $500 riding fee as he seeks to repeat his payday on Chief Wallabee.
The second-place horse will receive $1 million, third $500,000, fourth $250,000, and fifth $150,000.

Summary

Baffert Chasing Record

Bob Baffert enters the Derby with two runners, seeking to become the all-time winningest trainer.
John Velázquez rides in his fourth Derby start, aiming for a fourth Derby win after his 2020 victory on Authentic.
Fulleffort, Right to Party and Silent Tactic were scratched, prompting late entries such as Great White, Ocelli and Robusta.
The Derby will stream live on Peacock and air on NBC beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1875 by Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the Kentucky Derby grew from modest crowds to a national spectacle. The 1973 Secretariat win, timed at 1:59.4 with a $198,800 purse, set a new standard for speed and prize money. That breakthrough, amplified by media and betting expansion, underlies today’s multimillion-dollar purses and streaming deals.

1 of 4

Renegade Leads Derby

Renegade (4-1) is the morning-line favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2.
The race starts at 6:57 p.m. ET with 19 starters after The Puma (10-1) was scratched.
Renegade will break from post No. 1—a position that has not yielded a winner since 1986—after trainer Todd A. Pletcher entered the horse following Arkansas Derby and Sam F. Davis victories.

1 / 4