Top horse racing expert Jody Demling reveals picks for 2026 Kentucky Derby horses like Renegade, Commandment and Further Ado
By Ross Kelly May 2, 2026 at 3:52 pm ET • 4 min read 
Imagn Images Trainer Todd A. Pletcher looks to reach the winner's circle for the first time in nine years at the Kentucky Derby as his horse Renegade enters as the 4-1 favorite for the 152nd "Run for the Roses." Renegade hopes to join Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming (2017) as Pletcher Derby winners. Renegade will exit post 1. Saturday's post time for the 2026 Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. ET from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Bet the Kentucky Derby with the latest TwinSpires offer code CBSSPORTS to claim up to $400 in bonus bets here, double what's available to the general public:
Besides Renegade, also favored are Commandment and Further Ado, both at 6-1, and Chief Wallabee at 8-1. The Puma, who was next on the morning line at 10-1, scratched on Saturday morning. Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, be sure to see the 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions from SportsLine's elite horse racing expert Jody Demling.
A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has nailed the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times in the last 17 years. He also predicted the top three 2025 Kentucky Derby finishers in the correct order and hit a $1,682 supefecta, and then went on to nail the exacta in last year's Preakness. Anyone who has followed him on horse racing betting sites could be way up.
Now, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby post time rapidly approaching, Demling is sharing his 2026 Kentucky Derby betting picks and 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions over at SportsLine. Go here to see them.
Top 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions, expert analysis
One of Demling's surprising 2026 Kentucky Derby picks: Demling is fading on the 4-1 favorite in Renegade. Despite Fletcher having compiled more than 5,700 career wins, Demling feels his Kentucky Derby drought is a real concern. The 58-year-old has just the two Derby winners, and two second-place finishers in Invisible Ink in 2001 and Bluegrass Cat in 2006. Four of his horses have placed third, including Impeachment (2000), Revolutionary (2013), Danze (2014) and Audible (2018).
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is also seeking his first Kentucky Derby win, and has the mount for Renegade. Renegade is coming off a win at the 2026 Arkansas Derby, but the winner of that race as not had a lot of success in "The Run for the Roses." In fact, only three past Arkansas Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby. They were Sunny's Halo in 1983, Smarty Jones in 2004 and American Pharoah in 2015. Because of all of those factors, Demling sees value elsewhere. See who to back at SportsLine.
Demling also locked in his 2026 Kentucky Derby prediction for Commandment, who is the half-brother of Renegade and is listed at 6-1 in the Kentucky Derby odds. Although the Brad H. Cox-trained horse is one of the top-three favorites at 6-1, Demling doesn't have him winning the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Commandment has never finished lower than fourth, and has been on a bit of a roll.
He has won each of his last four races, including the 2026 Florida Derby on March 28. He is known for his speed up-front, but questions remain on whether he has the closing speed to be able to win the Derby. In a sport where every inch matters, does Commandment have what it takes to outlast the field at the 1¼-mile track? Bet the Kentucky Derby with the latest FanDuel Racing promo, which lets users bet $5 and get $25 in bonuses:
Demling has also locked in his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks for Further Ado (6-1). While the Brad Cox-trained colt makes Demling's considering for Kentucky Derby exacta and trifecta picks, he doesn't have him pegged as the winner. Further Ado has been impressive lately, winning three of his last four starts, capped off by a dominant victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington. He blew away the field with an elite Speed Score of 127. That said, it's a number that stands out sharply compared to his previous two big race figures (109 and 104), which offers Demling pause as to how much to trust the latest run. See which other horses to back at SportsLine, and you can make 2026 Kentucky Derby bets at TwinSpires here with the offer code CBSSPORTS:
How to make 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, bets
Demling is also high on a longshot who "demolished the field" in his last start. Anyone who backs this colt could hit it big. Demling is sharing which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Kentucky Derby leaderboard, over at SportsLine.
Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2026, and which longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2026 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling's picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who has nailed 12 Derby-Oaks doubles.
