The 152nd Kentucky Derby arrives Saturday with a dramatically reshuffled field, a heavy favorite in Renegade, and the kind of late-breaking drama that defines America's greatest horse race. What was supposed to be a full gate of 20 horses at Churchill Downs is now down to 19 after a wave of scratches — including The Puma, a top contender pulled just hours before post time due to a swollen pastern and skin infection.
How the Kentucky Derby Field Shrank: Four Scratches Shake Up the Race
The road to the 152nd Kentucky Derby has been anything but smooth. Since the post position draw last Saturday, four horses have been scratched from the race. Silent Tactic was the first to drop out due to a foot injury, replaced by Great White. Fulleffort followed with a chip and fluid in his left hind ankle, opening the door for Ocelli. Right to Party was scratched due to right front lameness, with Robusta taking his place.
Then came the biggest blow. The Puma, a 10-1 contender trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Javier Castellano, was scratched less than 12 hours from post time — past the deadline for replacement. The same trainer-jockey combination won the Derby in 2023 with Mage. According to NBC Sports, The Puma was scratched due to swelling in his leg, which a report from the Lexington Herald Leader described as a swollen pastern and skin infection.
The Complete Timeline: How Derby Week Unfolded at Churchill Downs
Derby week at Churchill Downs began with 20 hopeful 3-year-olds pointing toward the first Saturday in May. The post position draw set the stage, with Renegade drawing the No. 1 post — a position that hasn't produced a winner since 1986. By Wednesday, Silent Tactic was out with a foot injury. Thursday brought Fulleffort's exit after an X-ray revealed the ankle issue. Friday, Right to Party was scratched due to lameness. Then came Saturday morning's bombshell: The Puma was out.
Bob Baffert, the six-time Derby-winning trainer seeking to become the all-time leader, will send out two horses: Litmus Test (50-1) from the No. 4 post and Potente (20-1) from No. 14. The racing world is watching closely as Baffert looks to break his tie with Ben Jones for the most Derby wins by a trainer.
Weather is expected to cooperate. CBS Sports reports temperatures in the 50s with plenty of sunshine and only a 13 percent chance of rain — conditions that should favor a fast track at Churchill Downs.
Renegade Leads the Field: Breaking Down the Favorite and Top Contenders
Renegade enters as the 4-1 morning-line favorite, trained by two-time Derby winner Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. The colt won the Arkansas Derby and the Sam F. Davis Stakes this spring, compiling more than enough points to secure his spot in the starting gate. Despite the traditionally unlucky No. 1 post, Pletcher's horse has been impressive enough to earn the top spot on the odds board.
Commandment (6-1), trained by Brad Cox, has won four straight races including the Florida Derby and amassed over $1 million in career earnings. Further Ado (6-1), also trained by Cox, boasts the highest Beyer Speed Figures in the field and will be ridden by three-time Derby winner John Velazquez. Chief Wallabee (8-1), trained by Bill Mott, is ridden by Junior Alvarado — the same jockey who piloted Sovereignty to victory in last year's Derby.
Among the intriguing long shots is Danon Bourbon (20-1), a Japan-based horse who has won all three of his career starts but has never raced on a left-hand-turning dirt track. Emerging Market (15-1) enters with only two career starts — the fewest of any horse in the field — but is trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat, who won the 2019 Derby after a disqualification.
According to NBC News' thorough breakdown of the field, the complete list of horses includes Renegade (4-1), Albus (30-1), Intrepido (50-1), Litmus Test (50-1), Commandment (6-1), Danon Bourbon (20-1), So Happy (15-1), Wonder Dean (30-1), Incredibolt (20-1), Chief Wallabee (8-1), Potente (20-1), Emerging Market (15-1), Pavlovian (30-1), Six Speed (50-1), Further Ado (6-1), Golden Tempo (30-1), Great White (50-1), Ocelli (50-1), and Robusta (50-1).
Where the Race Stands Now: What's Happening on Derby Day
Churchill Downs opened its gates at 9 a.m. ET Saturday, with the first race scheduled for 11 a.m. ET. The undercard features a full slate of races building toward the main event. The $5 million purse — with $3.1 million going to the winner — is on the line when the starting gate opens at 6:57 p.m. ET.
Live coverage begins at 12 p.m. ET on Peacock, with NBC and Peacock taking over at 2:30 p.m. ET. Fans can stream the race via Peacock or watch on traditional NBC affiliates nationwide.
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes in two weeks and the Belmont Stakes in early June. No horse has won the Triple Crown since Justify in 2018.
What to Expect When the Gate Opens: The Race Ahead
At 1¼ miles, the Kentucky Derby demands both speed and stamina. With a fast track expected, pace analysis will be critical. Renegade's early speed from the No. 1 post could be either an advantage or a liability — no horse has won from that post in four decades. Further Ado's explosive closing speed could be the answer if the front-runners tire.
Brad Cox's pair of Commandment and Further Ado gives him a formidable one-two punch. Bob Baffert's Potente is a longer shot but shares the same sire (Into Mischief) as Commandment. The international flavor of this year's field — with horses from Japan, the UAE, and across North America — adds another layer of intrigue.
For bettors, the scratches have reshuffled the odds board significantly. The Puma's removal at 10-1 creates opportunity for other mid-tier contenders like Chief Wallabee and So Happy to move up in the wagering.
The Bottom Line: Everything You Need to Know for the 152nd Derby
- Race: 152nd Kentucky Derby (Run for the Roses)
- Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- TV: NBC (coverage from 2:30 p.m. ET) / Peacock
- Purse: $5 million ($3.1 million to winner)
- Distance: 1¼ miles
- Horses: 19 (down from 20 after four scratches)
- Favorite: Renegade (4-1)
