Who are the trainers for Kentucky Derby 2026? Bob Baffert to Brad Cox

A star-studded group of trainers will vie for victory May 2 in one of most iconic events in sports: the Kentucky Derby . This year's Run for the Roses includes a quartet of trainers who already have won the race on multiple occasions ( Bob Baffert , Bill Mott , Doug O'Neill and Todd Pletcher ). Two more trainers ( Brad Cox and Gustavo Delgado ) in the field at Churchill Downs have notched one Derby triumph.

And then there are four trainers making their Derby debut: Cherie DeVaux , Mark Glatt , Manabu Ikezoe and Riley Mott . In sum, 16 trainers are set to put horses in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Here's a look at this year's trainer lineup: Bob Baffert Kentucky Derby horses: Litmus Test , Potente Baffert will give it a go to win his seventh Derby.

For the second time. He initially captured Victory No. 7 in the Run for the Roses in 2021, when Medina Spirit crossed the line first.

But that triumph was wiped away nine months later: Medina Spirit was disqualified after testing positive for betamethasone; officials then awarded the win to Mandaloun. Even with that win no longer part of Baffert's official tally, he's tied for the most Derby victories by a single trainer, with his six putting him alongside the legendary Ben Jones . Baffert also holds all-time marks for Triple Crown wins by a trainer (17) and most Preakness Stakes victories (eight; 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018 and 2023).