The 152nd Kentucky Derby, held on May 2, 2026, featured a field of 18 horses competing in the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. In a historic upset, Golden Tempo, a 30-1 long shot, won the 1 1/4 mile race, making trainer Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Derby winner. The race included notable contenders such as the morning-line favorite Renegade (4-1 odds), Commandment and Further Ado (both 6-1), and other strong competitors like Chief Wallabee, So Happy, and Emerging Market. The Derby field was shaped by several scratches, including The Puma and Great White, and jockeys with significant Derby experience, such as Irad Ortiz Jr. and John Velazquez, were among the riders.

Renegade, who drew the challenging No. 1 post position, had earned his spot by winning key prep races like the Arkansas Derby and Florida’s Sam F. Davis Stakes. Commandment and Further Ado also entered with strong credentials, having won major stakes races earlier in the season. Veteran jockeys like Mike Smith, who rode So Happy, and Flavien Prat, aboard Emerging Market, added to the competitive depth. Trainer Bob Baffert sought to extend his record with two entries, Potente and Litmus Test. The Derby remains a pivotal event leading to the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, with the last Triple Crown winner being Justify in 2018.