On May 2, all attention will turn to Churchill Downs as the highly anticipated 2026 Kentucky Derby unfolds, with the race scheduled to begin at 6:57 p.m. ET. This year’s “Run for the Roses,” marking its 152nd iteration, is notably unpredictable, showcasing seven horses all boasting odds of 15-1 or lower. Following last Saturday’s post draw, the field for the 2026 Kentucky Derby is officially set, and it promises to be a thrilling competition.
Leading the pack as the favorite is Renegade, with odds set at 4-1. Hot on his heels are Further Ado and Commandment, both holding strong at 6-1. With the odds so closely aligned, identifying the horses with the most potential value becomes essential. Before placing any bets on the 2026 Kentucky Derby, it’s wise to consult the expert predictions and top picks from Jody Demling, the esteemed horse racing analyst at SportsLine.
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Jody Demling is a well-respected figure in the horse racing community, having dedicated years to analyzing, discussing, and wagering on races. His impressive track record includes accurately predicting the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times over the past 17 years. Last year, he successfully forecasted the top three finishers of the 2025 Kentucky Derby in perfect order, securing him a $1,682 superfecta win, and he also predicted the exacta at the previous Preakness. Those who have followed his advice on horse racing betting sites have seen significant returns.
With the 2026 Kentucky Derby just around the corner and futures odds available, Demling is now unveiling his selections and insights for this year’s race at SportsLine. Head over to SportsLine to access his full predictions.
Top 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions
In a surprising twist, one of Demling’s 2026 Kentucky Derby picks advises against betting on Chief Wallabee, despite his 8-1 odds placing him among the favorites. Chief Wallabee made a strong impression by winning his debut race, a maiden event where he outperformed The Puma, another strong competitor at Churchill Downs.
Since that January race at Gulfstream Park, Chief Wallabee has taken second and third, and his Speed Rating has dipped in each instance. He also has never raced on any track aside from Gulfstream. Those are enough flags to choose other horses in his Kentucky Derby picks over the entrant by legendary trainer Bill Mott. See who to back at SportsLine.
Another stunner: Demling is high on Fulleffort, even though he’s a longshot at 20-1 and will start from out wide at post No. 20. Demling has been impressed by what he’s seen from Fulleffort, a horse trained by the legendary Brad Cox. Cox has one career Derby victory, in 2021 with Mandaloun, but has won more than 2,500 total races and is a two-time Eclipse Award winner.
With seven races on the resume, Fulleffort has more experience than most horses in the Kentucky Derby 2026 field. After two subpar outings to begin the career, Fulleffort found a groove. The last five races, he has three victories and took second the other two. That includes the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. See which other horses to back at SportsLine, and you can make 2026 Kentucky Derby picks at TwinSpires here with the offer code CBSSPORTS:
How to make 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, bets
Demling is also high on a longshot who “demolished the field” in his last start. Anyone who backs this colt could hit it big. Demling is sharing which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Kentucky Derby leaderboard, over at SportsLine.
Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2026, and which longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2026 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling’s picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who has nailed 12 Derby-Oaks doubles.
