1875
The First Derby
The first Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It has become one of America’s most famous annual sporting events.
The 152nd Running
The Run for the Roses
The greatest two minutes in sports
19
Horses
1¼
Miles
152
Running
~2:00
Min to glory
$3M
Purse
1875
First Run
The Run for the Roses
America's Greatest Race
Every year on the first Saturday in May, the world stops to watch two minutes of pure thunder at Churchill Downs. Nineteen three-year-old thoroughbreds — the best in America — burst from the starting gate and race 1¼ miles around one of sport's most storied ovals.
The winner receives a blanket of 554 red roses, draped over their withers in a tradition that stretches back to 1896. That's where the name comes from: the Run for the Roses. It is the first jewel of the Triple Crown — the most coveted prize in American racing.
To even make it here, these horses have spent the past year competing in a series of prep races that award qualifying points. Only the top point-earners earn a spot in the gate. What you're watching today is already the cream of the crop.
Churchill Downs has hosted this race since 1875. The twin spires that tower over the finish line are as iconic as any landmark in American sports. If you've never been, take a moment to imagine standing in that infield as the horses explode past at 35 miles an hour — the ground shaking, the crowd roaring. That's the Derby.
Race at a Glance
Date
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Venue
Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
Distance
1¼ miles (10 furlongs)
Post Time
~6:57 PM ET
Purse
$3,000,000 (winner gets ~$1.86M)
Field
19 horses
Eligibility
3-year-old thoroughbreds only
Record Time
1:59⅖ — Secretariat, 1973
TV / Stream
NBC Sports / Peacock
Pick Your Horse
How to Choose a Winner
Whether you're eight or eighty, here's how to find your horse.
For Kids
Pick Like a Pro (Kid Edition)
- 1 Find your lucky number. Each horse has a post position number (1–23). Does any match your birthday, your age, or your lucky number?
- 2 Pick the coolest name. Incredibolt? Commandment? Further Ado? Your horse should have a name you can shout at the screen.
- 3 Pick by coat color. Do you like bay (brown), chestnut (reddish), or gray? Head to the Horses tab and look at the pictures!
- 4 Root for the underdog. Is there a horse with really long odds (big numbers like 50-1)? Sometimes giant slayers show up at the Derby.
- 5 Go with your gut. You know what? Sometimes gut feelings win races. Pick the horse that excites you and cheer your loudest!
For Adults
Handicapping the Field
- 1 Read the odds. Lower odds = more favored. Renegade at 5-1 and So Happy at ~6-1 are among the shortest prices. Commandment and Further Ado sit at ~7-1. That means the market thinks they're the best.
- 2 Think about pace. Only Pavlovian and Six Speed want to go wire-to-wire. With just two speed horses, the pace should be honest — setting up for a stalker or closer to pounce.
- 3 Consider post position. Middle posts (8–14) have historically performed well at Churchill. Outside posts (18+) must travel extra ground. Gates 1–3 can get shuffled back early.
- 4 Look at trainer and jockey. Brad Cox (Commandment, Further Ado), Bob Baffert (Litmus Test, Potente), Chad Brown (Emerging Market), and Todd Pletcher (Renegade) are elite trainers. Mike Smith (So Happy) and John Velazquez (Further Ado) have each won this race before. Big-race experience matters.
- 5 Find value. Chief Wallabee at 9-1 and Emerging Market at 11-1 are proven stakes horses at very reasonable odds. Neither would be a shocking winner.
Race Shape
How This Race Will Unfold
The Kentucky Derby isn't just about individual horses — it's about how 19 thoroughbreds interact over 1¼ miles. Understanding running styles helps you anticipate the race as it develops. This field has a honest pace with just two pure speed horses, which tends to favor stalkers and closers tracking just behind the early leaders.
Front-Runners / Speed
On the Lead
They want to set the pace from the gate. If they get loose, they're dangerous. If they get pressured, they can tire in the stretch.
#16 Pavlovian
#17 Six Speed
Pressers / Press-Pace
Just Off the Lead
They sit 2–4 lengths back, ready to challenge. They keep the leaders honest and pounce if the front-runners tire.
#4 Litmus Test
#8 So Happy
#14 Potente
Stalkers / Mid-Pack
Tracking the Field
The most popular style in this field. They sit 4–8 lengths back in a comfortable spot, conserving energy to unleash in the final turn.
#1 Renegade
#6 Commandment
#7 Danon Bourbon
#11 Incredibolt
#12 Chief Wallabee
#15 Emerging Market
#18 Further Ado
Closers
Coming from Behind
They let the field go and save everything for the stretch run. Thrilling to watch, but they need pace and a clear path to the wire.
#10 Wonder Dean
#19 Golden Tempo
#22 Ocelli
#21 Great White
The Field
All 19 Horses at a Glance
Click any horse to learn more about them.