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The 2026 Kentucky Derby is set to be a thrilling spectacle, distinguishing itself as a premier event in American horse racing. Unlike most races in the country, which feature fewer than 10 horses, this iconic event traditionally fills its 20-horse limit, often including a pair of alternates. This was evident last year when late scratches, including those of Rodriguez and Grande, left 19 contenders to compete at the storied Churchill Downs. The lineup for this year’s event was solidified following Saturday’s post draw.
In the spotlight for the 2026 Kentucky Derby are the favorites: Renegade at 4-1, alongside Commandment and Further Ado, both at 6-1 odds. Close behind them are Chief Wallabee with odds of 8-1 and The Puma at 10-1, making them strong contenders as well. Before placing any bets, enthusiasts are advised to consult the expert predictions from Jody Demling, a renowned figure in the horse racing community, available at SportsLine.
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Jody Demling, a respected voice in horse racing circles, brings years of experience in analysis and betting. He has an impressive track record, having accurately predicted the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double a remarkable 12 times over the past 17 years. His expertise shone through last year when he correctly forecasted the top three finishers of the 2025 Kentucky Derby and secured a $1,682 superfecta. Additionally, his prediction skills led him to nail the exacta in the Preakness. Followers of his insights on horse racing betting sites have seen significant returns.
As the 2026 Kentucky Derby nears, Demling has released his betting picks and predictions, which can be found over at SportsLine. For those seeking insightful and strategic advice, his analysis could prove invaluable.
Top 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions, expert analysis
Interestingly, Demling has made a bold call for this year’s race: he is fading Renegade, the current favorite at 4-1 odds. Demling predicts that Renegade will struggle to even make it into the top 10, a surprising take that could influence betting strategies come Saturday.
Renegade comes to Churchill Downs off wins at the Arkansas Derby and the Sam F. Davis Stakes. He drew the challenging inside rail position, however, and 1986 was the last time a horse won the Kentucky Derby breaking from Post No. 1. The favorite also hasn’t won the Kentucky Derby since 2018, so Demling sees too much working against Renegade to back him this year. See who to back at SportsLine.
Demling also locked in his 2026 Kentucky Derby prediction for Commandment, who is the half-brother of Renegade and is listed at 6-1 in the Kentucky Derby odds. Commandment comes to Churchill Downs on a four-race winning streak, including winning back-to-back graded-stakes races: the Florida Derby and the Fountain of Youth Stakes. The Florida Derby has produced more Kentucky Derby winners than any other prep race, but it’s been nearly a decade since the most recent one, so that’s a trend to keep in mind when betting on Commandment. Bet the Kentucky Derby with the latest FanDuel Racing promo, which lets users bet $5 and get $25 in bonuses:
Demling has also locked in his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks for Further Ado (6-1), who won at Churchill Downs late in his 2-year-old season. Following his fifth-place finish in his initial dirt-fast MSW race, he has not finished lower than third, that coming in August. Since October, Further Ado has registered three wins and one second-place finish. He is coming off a first-place finish at the 2026 Blue Grass at Keeneland earlier this month.
He had placed second behind The Puma, who enters the Derby at 10-1, at the March 7 Tampa Bay Derby. Further Ado is trained by Brad H. Cox, who has one Kentucky Derby winner in his career. That came in 2021 when Mandaloun was elevated to the victory after Medina Spirit was disqualified for testing positive for a banned substance. See which other horses to back at SportsLine, and you can make 2026 Kentucky Derby bets 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.
