Kentucky Derby Odds & Favorites: Betting Lines for Churchill Downs
The Kentucky Derby is one of the top sporting events of the spring each year. While we're still waiting on the 2026 Kentucky Derby odds, we do know when next year's "Run for the Roses" will take place. The 2026 edition will go down on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Sovereignty won this year's race with a time of 2:02.31. The William Mott horse went off with 10/1 odds.
🏇 Kentucky Derby odds & post positions
Kentucky Derby odds for 2026 are not yet available, but here is a look at this year's odds.
| 🏇 Horse | 🔢 Odds | 🚩 Post position | 🧍 Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journalism | 3-1 | 7 | Michael McCarthy |
| Sovereignty | 5-1 | 16 | Bill Mott |
| Sandman | 6-1 | 15 | Mark Casse |
| Baeza | 12-1 | 19 | John Shirreffs |
| Burnham Square | 12-1 | 8 | Ian Wilkes |
| Luxor Café | 15-1 | 6 | Noriyuki Hori |
| Citizen Bull | 20-1 | 1 | Bob Baffert |
| East Avenue | 20-1 | 10 | Brendan Walsh |
| Publisher | 20-1 | 11 | Steve Asmussen |
| Tiztastic | 20-1 | 12 | Steve Asmussen |
| Neoequos | 30-1 | 2 | Saffie Joseph Jr. |
| Final Gambit | 30-1 | 3 | Brad Cox |
| American Promise | 30-1 | 4 | D. Wayne Lukas |
| Admire Daytona | 30-1 | 5 | Yukihiro Kato |
| Flying Mohawk | 30-1 | 9 | Whit Beckman |
| Render Judgment | 30-1 | 13 | Kenny McPeek |
| Coal Battle | 30-1 | 14 | Lonnie Briley |
| Chunk of Gold | 30-1 | 17 | Ethan Weste |
| Owen Almighty | 30-1 | 18 | Brian Lynch |
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💰 Kentucky Derby betting favorites
Here is a look at what the betting favorites for the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs were. Odds are from the best horse racing betting sites.
🏇 Journalism (3-1)
Journalism (3-1) was announced as the Kentucky Derby betting favorite when morning line odds were released this past Saturday at the draw. The 3-year-old Colt has elite pedigree (Curlin, Mopotism) and recent form. His top race was a victory in the Santa Anita Derby on April 5. Journalism’s trainer is Michael McCarthy.
🏇 Sovereignty (5-1)
Sovereignty (8-1) is the 3-year-old Colt who won at Churchill Downs this year. The son of Into Mischief and Crowned has a top equibase speed figure of 99. Of note, Into Mischief has sired two of the last five Kentucky Derby winners. Sovereignty's trainer is Bill Mott, and he has experience winning at Churchill Downs. He won the Street Sense Stakes back in October.
🏇 Sandman (6-1)
Sandman is 3-1-2 in eight starts. The 3-year-old Colt also has top-notch pedigree (Tapit, Distorted Music). His trainer is Mark Casse. Jose Ortiz will likely be Sandman's jockey on Kentucky Derby day. Sandman’s top win came at the Arkansas Derby on March 29.
🏇 Burnham Square (12-1)
Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. rode Burnham Square. He was aboard the winning horse in last year’s Kentucky Derby (Mystik Dan). Hernandez and Burnham Square were fresh off a victory in the Blue Grass Stakes, which was held on April 8. He is the son of Liam’s Map.
📜 Kentucky Derby betting odds history
Below is a look at Kentucky Derby betting history. Sovereignty won this year's race with +1000 Kentucky Derby odds.
- 2025 Sovereignty: +1000
- 2024 Mystik Dan: +1800
- 2023 Mage: +1700
- 2022 Rich Strike: +8000
- 2021 Medina Spirit: +1200
- 2020 Authentic: +800
- 2019 Country House: +6500
- 2018 Justify: +250
- 2017 Always Dreaming: +450
- 2016 Nyquist: +200
- 2015 American Pharoah: +250
- 2014 California Chrome: +250
🏆Kentucky Derby winner post position history
Here is a look at the post position history for recent Kentucky Derby winners.
- 2025 Sovereignty post position: 16
- 2024 Mystik Dan post position: 3
- 2023 Mage post position: 8
- 2022 Rich Strike post position: 20
- 2021 Medina Spirit post position: 8
- 2020 Authentic post position: 18
- 2019 Country House post position: 20
- 2018 Justify post position: 7
- 2017 Always Dreaming post position: 5
- 2016 Nyquist post position: 13
- 2015 American Pharoah post position: 18
- 2014 California Chrome post position: 5
🔢 How do Kentucky Derby odds work?
This is a common question from novice horse racing bettors every spring.
Simply put, American odds represent how much money you would win on a $100 wager. Or in some cases, how much money you would need to wager to return $100.
Let's refer to an example. Sovereignty closed with +1000 odds to win this year's Kentucky Derby. That means a winning $100 bet at those odds would return $1000 in profit, or a $10 bet would return $100, or even $1 for a $10 return.
According to our odds converter, Sovereignty was getting a 9.09% implied probability of winning the prestigious race.
You'll want to be careful staking too much on long-shot bets, as the low implied win probabilities indicate the unlikelihood of a victory.
⏰ What time does the Kentucky Derby start and end?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is scheduled to start at approximately 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2.
The race is nicknamed “The Most Exciting 2 Minutes in Sports,” and that moniker always comes to fruition. Derby winners typically cross the finish line around the 2 minute and 2 second mark. So, expect the Kentucky Derby to end at approximately 6:59 p.m. ET.
❓ Kentucky Derby FAQs
Who is the 2026 Kentucky Derby favorite?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby favorite has not yet been named.
How long is the Kentucky Derby track?
The race distance for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is 1 and 1/4 miles, or 10 furlongs.
When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The 2026 edition of the Kentucky Derby will be held Saturday, May 2.
Where is the 2026 Kentucky Derby held?
The Kentucky Derby is held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
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