Deep Analysis of Every Horse in the 2026 Kentucky Derby Field and Also-Eligibles

The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby is set for May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs, featuring a competitive field shaped by the April 25 post position draw. With 20 horses in the main draw and four also-eligible entries ready to move in should any scratch occur, bettors and fans alike are analyzing every contender’s qualifications, connections, and early odds. This comprehensive breakdown examines each horse based on verified data from official sources, providing insight into what each brings to the Run for the Roses.

Main Field Entries (Post Positions 1–20)

1. Renegade (Post 1)

Trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Mike Repole alongside Robert and Lawana Low, Renegade drew the rail and enters as the 4-1 favorite. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Will ride the colt, who earned his spot with a victory in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. Renegade has accumulated 125 qualifying points, the highest in the field.

2. Albus (Post 2)

Riley Mott trains Albus for owner Pin Oak Stud, with Manny Franco as the jockey. The horse enters at 30-1 odds after earning 100 qualifying points. Albus is one of two entries from the Mott barn in this year’s Derby.

3. Intrepido (Post 3)

Trained by Jeff Mullins and ridden by Hector Berrios, Intrepido represents Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures. With 38 qualifying points and 50-1 morning line odds, he is considered a long shot but showed promise on the road to the Derby.

4. Litmus Test (Post 4)

Bob Baffert trains Litmus Test for a partnership including SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables. Martin Garcia is listed as the jockey, and the horse carries 30-1 odds with 34 qualifying points.

5. Right to Party (Post 5)

Kenny McPeek trains this Chester Broman-owned colt, who will be ridden by Chris Elliott. Right to Party has 65 qualifying points and enters at 30-1 odds.

6. Commandment (Post 6)

The 6-1 favorite among the deeper contenders, Commandment is trained by Brad Cox for Wathnan Racing. Luis Saez is the jockey aboard this 150-point earner, giving him significant pedigree and recent form credentials.

7. Danon Bourbon (Post 7)

Shipped in from Japan, Danon Bourbon is trained by Manabu Ikezoe and will be ridden by Atsuya Nishimura. Owned by Danox Co., the horse has 115 qualifying points and enters at 20-1 odds.

8. So Happy (Post 8)

Mark Glatt trains So Happy for Norman Stables and Saints Or Sinners, with Mike Smith as the jockey. The horse has 115 qualifying points and is listed at 15-1 in the morning line.

9. The Puma (Post 9)

Trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Javier Castellano, The Puma represents a strong international challenge. He has 106 qualifying points and enters at 10-1 odds.

10. Wonder Dean (Post 10)

A joint E/ME entry, Wonder Dean is trained by Daisuke Takayanagi and will be ridden by Ryusei Sakai. Despite limited qualifying points, the horse earned a spot in the field and carries 30-1 odds.

11. Incredibolt (Post 11)

Another Riley Mott trainee, Incredibolt is owned by the same connections as Albus but carries different odds. Jaime Torres is the jockey, and the horse has 60 qualifying points with 20-1 morning line odds.

12. Chief Wallabee (Post 12)

Bill Mott trains Chief Wallabee for ownership that will be piloted by Junior Alvarado. The horse has 50 qualifying points and enters at 8-1 odds.

13. Silent Tactic (Post 13)

Mark Casse trains this 100-point earner for connections that will see Cristian Torres in the saddle. Silent Tactic enters at 20-1 odds.

14. Potente (Post 14)

Second Bob Baffert entry in the field, Potente is trained by the Hall of Fame conditioner and will be ridden by Juan Hernandez. Owned alongside SF Racing and Starlight Racing interests, the horse has 100 qualifying points and 20-1 odds.

15. Emerging Market (Post 15)

Chad Brown trains Emerging Market for connections that will have Flavien Prat aboard. The horse has 100 qualifying points and enters at 15-1 odds.

16. Pavlovian (Post 16)

Doug O’Neill trains Pavlovian, who will be ridden by Edwin Maldonado. Despite 70 qualifying points, the horse draws 30-1 odds, reflecting a tougher projection.

17. Six Speed (Post 17)

An E/ME entry, Six Speed is trained by Bhupat Seemar and will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. The horse qualified through international points and remains unnamed in odds details within verified sources.

18. Further Ado (Post 18)

Trained by an unnamed conditioner in available sources, Further Ado recently won the Bluegrass Stakes and draws post 18. He is listed at 6-1 odds, sharing the second-lowest number in the field with Commandment.

19. Arabian Knight (Post 19)

Details on Arabian Knight’s trainer, jockey, and ownership are not specified in the verified sources, though he secured a post 19 draw and remains in the field.

20. Oscar Nominated (Post 20)

Completing the main draw, Oscar Nominated drew the outermost post. Specifics on his connections are not detailed in the authoritative sources consulted.

Also-Eligible Horses (AE)

Four horses were placed on the also-eligible list, meaning they will gain entry into the starting gate should any of the main 20 scratch before the race. They are ordered by their AE number and will move into the field in that sequence, with all horses drawn outside of a scratch moving inward by one post.

#21 Great White

The first also-eligible horse, Great White, is ready to replace any scratching horse from posts 1–20. No further details on connections or points are provided in the verified sources.

#22 Ocelli

Ocelli is the second also-eligible entry and would move into the field if two scratches occur, taking the place of the horse originally drawn in the lower of the two vacated posts after adjustment.

#23 Robusta

Robusta is third on the AE list and would be next in line should three main field horses scratch.

#24 Corona de Oro

The fourth and final also-eligible, Corona de Oro, would only enter if four scratches reduce the main field below 16 horses.

Key Takeaways

• Renegade draws the rail and enters as the 4-1 favorite, trained by Todd Pletcher.
• Commandment (6-1) and Further Ado (6-1) share the lowest odds among non-favorites.
• Bob Baffert has two horses in the main field: Litmus Test and Potente.
• Riley Mott trains two entries: Albus and Incredibolt.
• Four also-eligible horses stand ready, with entry dependent on scratches before post time.
• The field includes international runners from Japan, the UAE/Ireland (E/ME), and Saudi Arabia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The 152nd Kentucky Derby is scheduled to begin at 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

How many horses can start in the Kentucky Derby?

A maximum of 20 horses can start in the Kentucky Derby. The 2026 field has a full complement of 20 starters, with four also-eligible horses available to replace any scratches.

What happens if a horse scratches from the Derby?

If a horse scratches from the main field, the also-eligible horses are promoted in order (Great White first, then Ocelli, Robusta, and Corona de Oro). All horses originally drawn outside of the scratched horse move inward by one post position.

Who is the favorite in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

Renegade is the morning line favorite at 4-1 odds, having drawn post position 1 and trained by Todd Pletcher.

Where can I watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The race will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, as part of the network’s continued coverage of the Triple Crown series.