The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is known as the Run for the Roses and is part of the prestigious Triple Crown series.
The post time for the event is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. This year, the purse for the Kentucky Derby is $5 million, with the winner receiving $3.1 million.
Renegade has emerged as the favorite with odds of 4-1. The race will feature a total of 19 horses, although there are up to twenty horses eligible to compete.
Key facts about the 2026 Kentucky Derby:
- The race marks the 152nd Run for the Roses.
- Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
- This marks the third consecutive year with a $5 million purse.
- While twenty horses can enter, this year’s race will run with nineteen competitors.
The excitement surrounding this event continues to grow. Observers expect a highly competitive field as Renegade aims to secure victory and chase further success in horse racing.