2026 Sunland Derby winner Pavlovian has fighting chance in Kentucky Derby
See why Pavlovian has chance to win 2026 Kentucky Derby, which is on May 2 at Churchill Downs
Pavlovian may not be a betting favorite in the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, but don't discount his chances. However, this year's Sunland Derby winner enters the race with some reasons to bet on. The race is scheduled to start at 4:57 p.
m. , MT/5:57 p. m.
CT on Saturday, May 2. Sunland Derby has produced some fantastic performers in Kentucky Derby Mine that Derby, who finished fourth in Sunland Derby in 2009, went on to win the Kentucky Derby at odds of 50-1. Firing Line won the 2015 Sunland Derby and went on to finish second in the Kentucky Derby.
What is to like about Pavlovian Trainer Doug O'Neill has a history of getting horses to run big in the Kentucky Derby. He has won the race twice with I'll Have Another (in 2012) and Nyquist (2016). Pavlovian had trouble in the past breaking from the gate, but appears to have improved in recent races.