Study Guide: 2026 Kentucky Derby

Two dozen horses have entered the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, including four on the also-eligible list. Come race day, a full field of 20 horses is expected to vie for victory under the Twin Spires in the 152nd Run for the Roses.

This year’s Kentucky Derby field:

Renegade
The Kentucky Derby favorite at 4-1 morning-line odds, Renegade owns a strong late kick and is 2-for-2 this year, dominating the Sam F. Davis S. and Arkansas Derby. But he’ll have to overcome drawing post 1, which hasn’t produced a Kentucky Derby winner since 1986.

Albus
Albus launched a big late rally to win the Wood Memorial, but his career-best 91 Brisnet Speed rating looks light against the Kentucky Derby field.

Intrepido
Intrepido ran below form when finishing a distant fourth in the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (G1). He’s run better in the past, even winning the American Pharoah with a 99 Brisnet Speed rating last fall. A rebound in his third start of the year isn’t inconceivable.

Litmus Test
Litmus Test is adding blinkers after finishing a distant seventh in the Arkansas Derby. The addition of headgear could sharpen his speed and focus, helping him rebound to the form of his Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) triumph last fall.

Right to Party
Right to Party has improved with every start this year, but the 90 Brisnet Speed rating he earned when finishing a late-running second in the Wood Memorial leaves him slower on paper than the Kentucky Derby favorites.

Commandment
Commandment has won four starts in a row, including the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth over high-class fields. He was compromised by a slow pace in the Florida Derby, but still launched a last-to-first rally to prevail by a nose. Commandment is a logical Kentucky Derby win contender.

Danon Bourbon
Danon Bourbon is unbeaten and unchallenged in three starts in Japan. He finished fast to win the Fukuryu S. last time out and has a serious shot at becoming the first Japan-based Kentucky Derby winner.

So Happy
So Happy was clearly best in the Santa Anita Derby, pulling away down the homestretch to triumph by 2 3/4 lengths with a strong 103 Brisnet Speed rating. However, his pedigree suggests the Kentucky Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance could stretch the limits of his stamina.

The Puma
Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner The Puma failed by only a nose to hold off Commandment in the Florida Derby. The Puma has improved by leaps and bounds this year for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Gustavo Delgado and is eligible to step forward again at Churchill Downs.

Wonder Dean
The second Japanese contender, Wonder Dean, campaigned in the Middle East during the winter, peaking with a win in the UAE Derby (G2). However, he was slowing down significantly at the end of the UAE Derby, so staying 1 1/4 miles against tough competition in the Kentucky Derby could be a tricky task.

Incredibolt
Incredibolt won the Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs last fall and prepped for the Kentucky Derby with a four-length win in the Virginia Derby. But Incredibolt last raced seven weeks ago, and it’s rare for horses to win the Kentucky Derby off such an extended break.

Chief Wallabee
Chief Wallabee is adding blinkers after finishing third by half a length against Commandment and The Puma in the Florida Derby. If blinkers help Chief Wallabee focus down the homestretch, he has a chance to give trainer Bill Mott a second straight Kentucky Derby win following Sovereignty in 2025.

Silent Tactic
Silent Tactic was beaten four lengths by Renegade when second in the Arkansas Derby, but the Daily Racing Form reports he dealt with a bruised foot leading up to the race, which may have affected his performance. He’s trained well for the Kentucky Derby and is eligible to improve.

Potente
San Felipe (G2) winner Potente tired after dueling for the lead in the Santa Anita Derby, finishing second behind So Happy. He earned a strong 100 Brisnet Speed rating, but it’s possible the Kentucky Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance is farther than Potente wants to run.

Emerging Market
Emerging Market is 2-for-2, and he showed talent and determination to win the Louisiana Derby by a head with a 102 Brisnet Speed rating. But no horse since Leonatus in 1883 has won the Kentucky Derby off only two races.

Pavlovian
Pavlovian set the pace in the Louisiana Derby before weakening slightly to finish second against Emerging Market. He’s progressing rapidly in the right direction for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill, but must avoid getting burned out in a speed duel with Six Speed.

Six Speed
Six Speed has lots of early speed. He opened up a large lead partway through the UAE Derby before tiring to finish second by 2 1/2 lengths against Wonder Dean. Six Speed may set the pace in the Kentucky Derby, but stretching his speed over 1 1/4 miles could be a difficult assignment.

Further Ado
Further Ado was tons the best in the Blue Grass last time out, winning by 11 lengths with a powerful 105 Brisnet Speed rating. But his two fastest races by far have come at Keeneland, so it’s fair to question whether Further Ado will reproduce his Blue Grass performance at Churchill Downs.

Golden Tempo
Stretch-running Golden Tempo closed from off the pace to finish third by one length in the Louisiana Derby. Deep-closing Louisiana Derby alumni frequently outrun their odds in the Kentucky Derby, and a fast pace courtesy of Six Speed and Pavlovian could help Golden Tempo record a top-four finish on the first Saturday in May.

Fulleffort
Fulleffort has shown talent on turf and Tapeta, most recently rallying to win the Jeff Ruby Steaks by 2 1/2 lengths. But he’s never raced over a dirt track like the one at Churchill Downs, so switching surfaces for the Kentucky Derby is a question mark.

Great White
The first also-eligible entrant, Great White, defeated Fulleffort in the John Battaglia Memorial S. on Tapeta, but faltered when trying dirt in the Blue Grass, finishing a distant fifth. He’ll need a stronger performance to factor in the Kentucky Derby.

Ocelli
Second also-eligible entrant Ocelli exits a rallying third-place finish in the Wood Memorial. He’ll need to improve upon his career-best 92 Brisnet Speed rating to beat tougher foes in the Kentucky Derby.

Robusta
Third also-eligible Robusta nearly beat Potente in the San Felipe, finishing second by a head after leading in midstretch. But he subsequently finished last of seven in the Santa Anita Derby and will need a rebound to challenge at Churchill Downs.

Corona de Oro
The fourth and final also-eligible entrant is Corona de Oro, who set the pace in the Lexington (G3) before tiring to finish third by three lengths. If scratches allow Corona de Oro to compete, he’ll have to avoid hooking up with Six Speed and Pavlovian in a speed duel