Kentucky Derby 2026: When is the race? Plus start time, post positions, field and everything else you need to know
Renegade enters the 2026 as the favorite, but can it pull off the victory?
The horses and the post positions are set, so the 152nd Kentucky Derby can officially get underway. On Saturday, 20 horses will take the track looking to etch their names into the record books. Renegade enters the event as the favorite, and coincidentally was selected in the first post position for the race.
That’s a strong starting spot, as horses in the first post have eight wins at the Derby. But the favorite hasn’t picked up a win in the event in recent years, just ask Journalism, which entered the 2025 Kentucky Derby as the favorite and finished second to Sovereignty. Can Renegade overcome the other competitors?
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 Kentucky Derby ahead of the race. When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby? The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place Saturday, May 2.
The race has traditionally taken place the first Saturday in May, though it didn't start that way. From 1875-1931, the race usually occurred in the middle of the month. That changed in 1932, when the event started being held the first Saturday in May.
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