2026 Kentucky Derby draw: Presumed favorite Renegade gets dreaded No. 1 spot

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Prominent owner Mike Repole has had plenty of bad luck in the Kentucky Derby. He got another dose of it Saturday when his colt Renegade drew the dreaded No.

1 starting gate for the 152nd running of next weekend’s race — a post position that hasn’t produced a Derby winner since Ferdinand in 1986. Repole, the beverage magnet of Vitaminwater and Bodyarmor fame who is now also running the United Football League, is 0-for-8 at the Derby and has had the favorite scratch twice on the eve of the race due to last-minute physical problems. Drawing inside would appear to be one more gut punch; however, with Renegade’s come-from-behind running style, jockey Irad Ortiz will have little choice but to take him to the back of the field to avoid the crush of traffic that typically occurs on the first turn as riders try to get their horses in position.

Renegade moved to the front of the Derby contenders last month with an impressive win in the Arkansas Derby for Repole and co-owners Robert and Lawana Low, blowing past the field on the far turn to hit the wire four lengths in front. Renegade will give trainer Todd Pletcher, who has started a record 65 horses in the Derby, a chance at his third winner. Other contenders had better luck in Saturday’s post position draw.

Further Ado, who blew away the Blue Grass Stakes field by 11½ lengths, will come out of the No. 18 post position under 54-year old jockey John Velazquez, who has won this race three times. Further Ado is owned by Spendthrift Farm, which expected to be here instead with Ted Noffey, last year’s 2-year-old champion who was forced off the Derby trail this spring due to injury.