Don’t hold your horses.
On Saturday, May 2, the Kentucky Derby returns to Louisville’s Churchill Downs for the 152nd installment of the long-running competition between the world’s most elite three-year-old thoroughbreds.
This year’s top dogs horses on the 1.25-mile “Run for the Roses” include 4-1 favorite Renegade who will start on the rail and be ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. who is yet to win a Derby in nine tries although he crossed the finish line first at the Belmont Stakes in 2016 and ’22.
“He [does] everything right,” Ortiz Jr. said. “He [broke] his saddle and he finished really pretty good.”
Other top contenders at this year’s hoof race include Commandment (6-1), Further Ado (6-1), Chief Wallabee (8-1), The Puma (10-1) and So Happy (15-1).
Personally, we’re rooting for Litmus Test, Right to Party and Emerging Market based solely on excellent name choices alone.
If you want to be there to sip on an Bourbon Derby or ice-cold mint julep while wearing your finest Fascinator, most sophisticated Porkpie Hat or gaudiest, wide-brimmed headwear, last-minute tickets are still available for “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports.”
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets to attend on Saturday was $132 including fees on StubHub.
Two-day passes — which include access to Friday’s Kentucky Oaks where you can see fillies aka female horses run — start at $252 including fees.
“To really get the full Kentucky Derby experience, you’ll want to watch races from your reserved seats, head out to the Paddock to watch horses and jockeys parade around up close, check out the gift shop, make bets, pick up food and drinks, and so much more,” Derby Experiences shared. “It can all be done during your time at the track if you’re rested, have on comfortable shoes, and are willing to maneuver your way through the crowds. Most people end up walking a few miles during the two-day event.”
For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the 2026 Kentucky Derby below.
2026 Kentucky Derby tickets
Leading up to the Kentucky Derby, there will be a number of events at Churchill Downs.
If you’re not sure when you want to go, our team found cheapest tickets available for all Kentucky Derby-related races going down over the next few days.
| Kentucy Derby dates | Ticket prices start at |
|---|---|
| 502’sDay Tuesday, April 28 |
$25 (including fees) |
| Winsday Wednesday, April 29 |
$41 (including fees) |
| Kentucky Thurby Thursday, April 30 |
$62 (including fees) |
| Two-day pass Friday, May 1 through Saturday, May 2 |
$252 (including fees) |
| Kentucky Oaks Friday, May 1 |
$83 (including fees) |
| Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 2 |
$132 (including fees) |
Hoping to make the pilgrimage to Churchill Downs sometime later this year? You can find their list of all upcoming events here.
Kentucky Derby 2026 post positions and odds
Ladies and gentlemen, we have our thoroughbreds.
According to the Kentucky Derby’s website, this is what this year’s field looks like from the rail out, along. with their jockeys and odds:
01.) Renegade Irad Ortiz, Jr. (4-1)
02.) Albus Manny Franco (30-1)
03.) Intrepido Hector Barrios (50-1)
04.) Litmus Test Martin Garcia (30-1)
05.) Right to Party Chris Elliott (30-1)
06.) Commandment Luis Saez (6-1)
07.) Danon Bourbon Atsuya Nishimura (20-1)
08.) So Happy Mike Smith (15-1)
09.) The Puma Javier Castellano (10-1)
10.) Wonder Dean (JPN) Ryusei Sakai (30-1)
11.) Incredibolt Jamie Torres (20-1)
12.) Chief Wallabee Junior Alvarado (8-1)
13.) Silent Tactic Cristian Torres (20-1)
14.) Potente Juan Hernandez (20-1)
15.) Emerging Market Flavien Prat (15-1)
16.) Pavlovian Edwin Maldonado (30-1)
17.) Six Speed Brian Hernandez Jr. (50-1)
18.) Further Ado John Velazquez (6-1)
19.) Golden Tempo Jose Ortiz (30-1)
20.) Fulleffort Tyler Gaffalione (20-1)
Also eligible
21.) Great White Alex Achard (50-1)
22.) Ocelli Joe Ramos (50-1)
23.) Robusta Emisael Jaramillo (50-1)
24.) Corona de Oro Brian Hernandez Jr. (50-1)
How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Folks hoping to catch the 2026 Kentucky Derby can find all coverage on NBC.
Don’t own a TV? The two-day event can also be streamed on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, Peacock and YouTube TV.
Huge concert tours in 2026
After the winner is crowned at the Derby, fans of live events need not worry — there will still be plenty of major concerts to catch IRL later this year.
Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss these next few months (big hats not necessary but welcome).
• Chris Stapleton
• Thomas Rhett
• The Red Clay Strays
• Megan Moroney
• Post Malone with Jelly Roll
Want to see who else is on tour? Check out our list of all the biggest artists on tour in 2026 to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
