Kentucky Derby Contenders

2026 Kentucky Derby Contenders and odds. Bet today on BUSR and get to $1,000 Welcome Cash Bonus plus up to $2,000 Daily Paid Rebates!

The Kentucky Derby contenders begin to whittle down as we get closer to the big event. For the Kentucky Derby, the post position has been a reasonably reliable indicator of the winner, with horses typically positioned 5-8. Post positions are drawn on Wednesday before the Derby, and we will update this information as soon as it becomes available.

The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be on Saturday, May 2th under the famed twin spires of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

BUSR is the best place you can bet on the Kentucky Derby. Not only are over 300 different types of bets you can make, but you'll also get an amazing welcome bonus of up to $1,000!

You'll also get great fixed odds with amazing payouts on the leading Kentucky Oaks and Derby horses and even the leading Jockeys and Trainers. Bet on the margin of victory, head-to-head matchups, the winning time vs Secretariat's world record, a Triple Crown contention, and more.

The Kentucky Derby Odds are live. Time to place your bet now!

The 152th Kentucky Derby runs on Saturday, May 2th, 2026 and is held at the most iconic and beautiful racetrack Churchill Downs, located in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

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Kentucky Derby Futures: Early Takes on 2026 Triple Crown Contenders

Laying down some money on a futures pick for the 152th Derby, which will take place on Saturday, May 2th, 2026, at the beautiful Churchill Downs racetrack, is one of the most enjoyable activities during the preseason. From now through April, BUSR will keep you informed on important entries and shifting odds for potential Derby horses.

Early Leader:

Ted Noffey Dominates Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

The 42nd running of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar delivered on its promise of a high-stakes duel, culminating in a decisive victory for the overwhelming 3-5 favorite, Ted Noffey ($3.60). The Pendthrift Farm runner, who was heavily backed by the betting public, hit the wire a decisive length clear of the late-charging Mr. A.P.

The narrative of the race centered on the anticipated clash between two previously undefeated colts: Ted Noffey and Brant. Brant, the swift pacesetter, immediately seized control, carving out a solid tempo through fractions of :23.46, :46.99, and 1:10.82. Ted Noffey, under the expert guidance of Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, tracked the leader like a shadow just to his outside, never more than a half-length adrift.

As the field rounded the far turn and straightened for home, Velazquez gave his cue. Ted Noffey smoothly drew even with Brant before powering past in the upper stretch. Though the rival Colts were put away, Brant refused to yield without a fight, gamely battling back in the final furlong. However, Ted Noffey found another gear in deep stretch to seal the victory, clocking the mile and a sixteenth over a fast track in 1:42.25.

While the duel for the win subsided, the battle for the minors intensified. Mr. A.P., who had stalked the pace in third throughout, rallied on the rail to secure the runner-up spot by a half-length over the tiring Brant, who held third by a neck over stablemate Litmus Test.

The victory was a significant milestone for Ted Noffey’s connections. Trainer Todd Pletcher secured his fifth win in the Juvenile—and 16th overall in the World Championships—while the victory marked John Velazquez’s 22nd Breeders’ Cup score. Notably, all three of Velazquez’s Juvenile victories have come aboard Pletcher-trained horses.

Ted Noffey, a Kentucky-bred son of leading sire Into Mischief, out of the Old Fashioned mare Streak of Luck, now boasts a phenomenal record of three Grade 1 victories from just four career starts. The impressive $1,040,000 winner’s share propelled his total earnings to an imposing $1,658,763, instantly establishing him as the definitive leader of the two-year-old division and a serious early contender for next year’s Triple Crown series.