2026 Kentucky Derby odds, horses, futures: Commandment, Renegade, Further Ado predictions from proven expert

The Kentucky Derby 2026 kicks off Triple Crown season, with the race taking place on Saturday, May 2 from Churchill Downs. Up to 20 thoroughbreds will compete over 1 1/4 miles at The Run for the Roses, with the Kentucky Derby 2026 being the 152nd running of the event. Renegade (4-1) is the favorite with him coming off back-to-back wins, while his half-brother, Commandment, is at 7-1. 

There are a host of other horse racing contenders lower down the 2026 Kentucky Derby odds boards. These include The Puma (12-1), Chief Wallabee (13-1), Potente (16-1) and Further Ado (17-1). Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions for the annual Run for the Roses, you NEED to see what our resident horse racing guru, Jody Demling, has to say, given his historical DOMINATION of this race.

A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has nailed the Kentucky Derby-Oaks double 12 times in the last 17 years! He also nailed the top three 2025 Kentucky Derby finishers in the correct order. Anyone who has followed him on those picks could be WAY UP!

For the 2026 Kentucky Derby, we can tell you Demling is fading Commandment (7-1) despite the Florida Derby winner being one of the favorites. The horse is trained by Brad Cox, who won as a Kentucky Derby rookie in 2021 but has seen just one of his last 10 starters finish in the money. Demling has multiple horses finishing ahead of Commandment.

Demling has also locked in his picks for Renegade (4-1) and Further Ado (17-1). Renegade is trying to become the first favorite to win the Kentucky Derby since 2018, while Further Ado is looking to best the third place that his sire, Gun Runner, achieved at the 2016 Kentucky Derby. Join SportsLine here to get Demling's full 2026 Kentucky Derby picks!

Demling is also high on an EPIC double-digit longshot who "demolished the field" in his last start.  He's including this horse in his 2026 Kentucky Derby bets, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY NEED to see his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks before locking in any of your own!

Who wins the 2026 Kentucky Derby, and which HUGE double-digit longshot is a MUST-BACK? ... Join SportsLine right now to get Jody Demling's 2026 Kentucky Derby projected leaderboard, all from the expert who has nailed a COLOSSAL 12 Derby-Oaks doubles!