Share this @internewscast.com
All eyes are set to turn towards Churchill Downs this Saturday, May 2, for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, which officially kicks off at 6:57 p.m. ET. Known as the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports, this iconic event sees months, if not years, of preparation culminate in the first leg of the Triple Crown. This year, Renegade has emerged as the favorite with 4-1 odds to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Renegade aims to secure Pletcher’s third victory at this prestigious race, with hopes of pursuing a Triple Crown. Bet on the Kentucky Derby with the exclusive TwinSpires offer code CBSSPORTS to receive up to $400 in bonus bets, double the offer available to the general public:
With a fiercely competitive field of 20 horses, guided by renowned trainers and jockeys, selecting the right bets for the 2026 Kentucky Derby can be challenging. This task is further complicated by the recent scratching of three horses, allowing Great White, Ocelli, and Robusta to join the lineup at 50-1 odds. Before placing any wagers, consider the insights of racing reporter and analyst Michelle Yu, whose expertise could be crucial for making informed 2026 Kentucky Derby bets.
Back in 2021’s unpredictable Kentucky Derby, Yu successfully predicted Medina Spirit’s victory at 12-1 odds. Three years earlier, she recommended the “All Other 3-Year-Olds” option in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5, a bet that paid off at 18-1 when Rich Strike triumphed.
Yu’s successful predictions continued into 2025, correctly backing Citizen Bull in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, and forecasting wins for Forever Young in the Saudi Cup, Journalism in the San Felipe Stakes, Sandman in the Arkansas Derby, and Mindframe in the Churchill Downs Stakes. She also nailed the exacta in that year’s Kentucky Derby. In August, she predicted the Fierceness-Journalism exacta in the Pacific Classic, and in March 2026, she accurately called the Renegade-Silent Tactic-Taptastic trifecta in the Arkansas Derby. Followers of her selections on platforms like FanDuel Racing, TwinSpires, and 1/ST BET have seen significant returns.
With the 2026 Kentucky Derby post positions and odds now established, Yu is revealing her comprehensive 2026 Kentucky Derby betting picks and predictions on SportsLine. Visit SportsLine to discover her insights.
Top 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions
One unexpected recommendation from Yu is to avoid betting on Commandment, despite his strong 6-1 odds. Commandment recently claimed victory in the Florida Derby, just edging out The Puma, a top contender at 10-1. However, Yu notes that Commandment’s pace slowed towards the end of the Florida Derby, which was 1 1/8 miles, raising concerns about his stamina over the 1 1/4 mile distance of the Kentucky Derby.
“I don’t like that his win margins have diminished as the races have gotten longer,” Yu said to SportsLine. “He was very game in his Florida Derby score, though.” Something else to note is that Commandment’s jockey, Luis Saez, may be very experienced in his own right, but he never finished better than third place in the Kentucky Derby in 12 previous appearances. See which other 2026 Kentucky Derby horses to avoid at SportsLine.
Another curveball: Yu is high on The Puma as a 10-1 longshot as the proven horse racing expert likes the Gustavo Delgado-trained colt’s consistency. The Puma won the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 and finished second at the Florida Derby three weeks later. Derby co-second favorite Commandment edged The Puma by a nose in the race at Gulfstream Park.
“He did everything but win the Florida Derby when Commandment nosed him out, but he has been super consistent,” Yu told SportsLine. She also says “his best races put him right in the mix,” and jockey Javier Castellano and Delgado teamed up to win the Derby in 2023 with Mage. Castellano also won the 2023 Belmont Stakes on Arcangelo and has won the Preakness twice. He is looking for a second victory in his 18th Run for the Roses. The Puma has finished in the top three in all four races since his maiden run in January. See which other horses to back at SportsLine, and you can sign up for FanDuel Racing for the Kentucky Derby here to get $25 in bonuses with a $5 wager:
How to make 2026 Kentucky Derby picks
Moreover, Yu’s top pick is a horse who is “screaming for more ground.” She’s also is high on a longshot who has “connections that can get it done.” She is including this horse in her 2026 Kentucky Derby bets, and so should you. She’s sharing which 2026 Kentucky Derby horses to back at SportsLine.
So who wins the 2026 Kentucky Derby? What longshot is a must-back, and how has Yu constructed her wagers? Visit SportsLine to see Yu’s picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the Santa Anita-based racing insider who has a long history of success in the Kentucky Derby, and find out.
