Kentucky Derby 2026 Watch Information
- Race Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky,
- Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- Broadcast Coverage: NBC
- Streaming Coverage: Peacock
The 2026 Derby Day is just around the corner and fans are eagerly awaiting the race to find out who the best in the business is this year. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to watch the 152nd Kentucky Derby live, including broadcast information, post positions, predictions and more.
How to Watch the Kentucky Derby 2026 (TV & Streaming)
You can watch the Kentucky Derby live on NBC or stream it on Peacock, with coverage beginning earlier in the day.
Find your local NBC affiliate channel here.
Full Kentucky Derby Broadcast Schedule
- 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET: Undercard races (FanDuel TV)
- 12 – 2:30 p.m. ET: Coverage (Peacock)
- 2:30 – 7:30 p.m. ET: Main broadcast (NBC & Peacock)
Coverage includes undercard races, horse profiles, pre-race traditions and the Kentucky Oaks which is run on May 1.
What Time Does the Kentucky Derby Start?
The official Kentucky Derby post time is 6:57 p.m. ET.
While coverage runs throughout the day, the race itself lasts about two minutes—giving it its famous nickname, “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
Kentucky Derby 2026 Field (Horses, Post Positions & Odds)
The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 horses, determined by points earned on the Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying series.
The 2026 field features top contenders like Renegade, Further Ado and Commandment, along with international qualifiers from Japan and Europe.
The final field for the 2026 race was unveiled on April 25.
| # | Horse | Points | Trainer | Jockey | Odds | Qualification Method |
| 1 | Renegade | 125 | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 4-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 2 | Albus | 100 | Riley Mott | Manny Franco | 30-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 3 | Intrepido | 38 | Jeff Mullins | Hector Berrios | 50-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 4 | Litmus Test | 34 | Bob Baffert | Martin Garcia | 30-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 5 | Right to Party | 65 | Kenny McPeek | Christopher Elliott | 30-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 6 | Commandment | 150 | Brad Cox | Luis Saez | 6-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon | — | Manabu Ikezoe | Atsuya Nishimura | 20-1 | Japan Road Qualifier |
| 8 | So Happy | 115 | Mark Glatt | Mike Smith | 15-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 9 | The Puma | 106 | Gustavo Delgado | Javier Castellano | 10-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 10 | Wonder Dean | E/ME | Daisuke Takayanagi | Ryusei Sakai | 30-1 | Euro/Mideast Qualifier |
| 11 | Incredibolt | 60 | Riley Mott | Jaime Torres | 20-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 12 | Chief WallaBee | 50 | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 8-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 13 (Scr) | Silent Tactic | 100 | Mark Casse | Cristian Torres | 20-1 | Points Qualifier (Scratched) |
| 14 | Potente | 100 | Bob Baffert | Juan Hernandez | 20-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 15 | Emerging Market | 100 | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat | 15-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 16 | Pavlovian | 70 | Doug O’Neill | Edwin Maldonado | 30-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 17 | Six Speed | E/ME | Bhupat Seemar | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 50-1 | Euro/Mideast Qualifier |
| 18 | Further Ado | 135 | Brad Cox | John Velazquez | 6-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 19 | Golden Tempo | 60 | Cherie DeVaux | José Ortiz | 30-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 20 | Fullefort | 110 | Brad Cox | Tyler Gaffalione | 20-1 | Points Qualifier |
| 21 | Great White | 30 | John Ennis | Alex Achard | 50-1 | Points Qualifier (Below Cutoff) |
| 22 AE | Ocelli | 25 | Whit Beckman | Joe Ramos | 50-1 | Also Eligible (Points) |
| 23 AE | Robusta | 25 | Doug O’Neill | Emisael Jaramillo | 50-1 | Also Eligible (Points) |
| 24 AE | Corona de Oro | 6 | Dallas Stewart | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 50-1 | Also Eligible (Points) |
Kentucky Derby Favorites & Horses to Watch
Looking for Kentucky Derby picks or favorites? Here are the key storylines heading into the race:
Renegade (Post 1)
Renegade draws the rail — historically not an advantage — as the favorite trained by Todd Pletcher. Saturday will be Pletcher’s 65th Kentucky Derby starter, the most in the race’s history, but he hasn’t won since 2017. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides. From the rail, Renegade will need to either get to the front quickly or find a path wide early; Post 1 leaves almost no room for error.
Further Ado (Post 18)
Further Ado is the horse many analysts are choosing as their favorite for the upcoming race. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by 54-year-old John Velazquez — who would become the oldest Derby-winning jockey in history if he pulls it off — Further Ado won the Blue Grass Stakes by 11 lengths in his final prep. Post 18 is deep on the outside, which keeps him away from early traffic but demands a wide trip on the turns.
Commandment (Post 6)
Commandment, also trained by Cox, gives the barn two legitimate chances to win. Cox also saddles Fulleffort (Post 20, 20-1), making him the trainer with the most horses in the field. If the pace gets honest and the race strings out, one of Cox’s three horses figures to be near the front late.
Chief WallaBee (Post 12)
Chief Wallabee is trained by Bill Mott, who won last year’s Derby with Sovereignty — and Bill’s son Riley Mott makes his own Derby debut with two horses in the same field (Albus, Post 2, and Incredibolt, Post 11). That’s a storyline you won’t see often.
How Horses Qualify for the Kentucky Derby
The Derby uses a points-based system known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
- Horses earn points in designated prep races
- Top 20 qualify for the starting gate
- Three paths:
- American Road (majority of spots)
- Japan Road (1 spot)
- Europe/Middle East Road (2 spots)
Major prep races like the Blue Grass Stakes and Santa Anita Derby award the most points late in the season.
Where to Watch Kentucky Derby Without Cable
You can stream the Kentucky Derby live from Churchill Downs without cable using:
- Peacock (official NBC stream)
- Live TV streaming services that carry NBC
You can watch all the excitement of Derby Week live on DIRECTV though a variety of packages.
Don’t have DIRECTV? Let’s change that.
Kentucky Derby Trivia & More
- Kentucky Derby Official Drink: Mint Julep – a bourbon-based cocktail garnished with fresh mint. It’s a refreshing drink to sip on while waiting for the big race to begin.
- Kentucky Derby Attire: When you think of horse racing, do you think of fashion? If you didn’t before, you will now! The race is the perfect excuse to debut new, flashy styles and wear your Derby best. From large hats and dapper suits to bright colors and fun florals, nothing is “too much” at the Derby!
- Triple Crown Races: The three biggest races in the US every year include the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes.
- Triple Crown Horses: Only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown since 1919, when Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three Triple Crown races.
- Kentucky Derby Ticket Prices: Standing room and general admission tickets for the event start at $275 and go up to more than $100K for private suites.
- Kentucky Derby Watch Party Tips: Throw together some mint juleps, decorate your space with roses, place some low-stakes bets, order a few race day programs and ask your friends or family to come in their most fabulous attire. Those are just a few ways to make your 2024 Kentucky Derby experience a winner.
Kentucky Derby FAQs
What channel is the Kentucky Derby on?
The Kentucky Derby airs live on NBC.
Can I stream the Kentucky Derby online?
Yes, you can stream it live on Peacock.
What time is the Kentucky Derby 2026?
Post time is 6:57 p.m. ET.
Where is the Kentucky Derby held?
The race takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
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