The top jockeys riding in the 2026 Kentucky Derby Odds include several Hall of Famers and Eclipse Award winners with strong experience in the race.
First, Irad Ortiz Jr. rides morning line favorite Renegade from post 1 for trainer Todd Pletcher. A perennial leading rider in North America with multiple Eclipse Awards, Ortiz has yet to win the Derby despite strong performances. But his tactical skill and recent success aboard Renegade make him a major factor.
Second, John Velazquez is aboard Further Ado from post 18, seeking a record fourth Derby victory. The veteran has already won three times and pairs with Brad Cox on a dominant Blue Grass winner. Thus, bringing unmatched big-race composure and positioning expertise
Yet another Hall of Famer, Mike Smith, is known as the “Big Money Mike,” rides So Happy from post 8. At over 50 years old, Smith has two Derby wins (Giacomo in 2005 and Justify in 2018). And he excels with stalkers like So Happy, providing veteran judgment in traffic.
Next, Luis Saez handles Commandment from post 6 for Brad Cox. A two-time Eclipse Award winner with growing Derby experience, Saez offers aggressive, confident rides. And he has developed strong chemistry with Cox’s powerful stable.
Javier Castellano rides The Puma from post 9. In sum, with 17 prior Derby mounts and a Hall of Fame career, Castellano brings precision and big-stage success that could elevate a mid-tier contender.
Tyler Gaffalione is on Fulleffort from post 20. Correlate that he is a rising star with solid Churchill Downs experience. Specifically, Gaffalione excels with closers and could deliver a strong late run if the pace favors him.
Finally, other notable riders include Flavien Prat (a top closer), Manny Franco, Juan Hernandez, and several international talents, such as Atsuya Nishimura. The mix of seasoned Derby winners and talented veterans adds depth to what shapes up as a competitive 152nd running on May 2 at Churchill Downs. Jockey performance in navigating the large field and securing clean trips will be decisive.
2026 Kentucky Derby
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Derby has a post time of approximately 6:57 p.m. ET. NBC and Peacock provide full television and streaming coverage with Derby Day programming running from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. Correlate that this marks the 152nd running of the race known as the Run for the Roses.
2026 Kentucky Derby SBG Odds Overview and Post Positions
| Post/Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Post 1: Renegade | 4-1 |
| Post 2: Albus | 30-1 |
| Post 3: Intrepido | 50-1 |
| Post 4: Litmus Test | 30-1 |
| Post 5: Right to Party | 30-1 |
| Post 6: Commandment | 6-1 |
| Post 7: Danon Bourbon | 20-1 |
| Post 8: So Happy | 15-1 |
| Post 9: The Puma | 10-1 |
| Post 10: Wonder Dean | 30-1 |
| Post 11: Incredibolt | 20-1 |
| Post 12: Chief Wallabee | 8-1 |
| Post 13: Silent Tactic | 20-1 |
| Post 14: Potente | 20-1 |
| Post 15: Emerging Market | 15-1 |
| Post 16: Pavlovian | 30-1 |
| Post 17: Six Speed | 50-1 |
| Post 18: Further Ado | 6-1 |
| Post 19: Golden Tempo | 30-1 |
| Post 20: Fulleffort | 20-1 |
2026 Kentucky Derby – Top Jockeys
Irad Ortiz Jr. is a 33-year-old Hall of Fame-caliber jockey and one of the top riders in North America. He began his U.S. career in 2011. Previously, he has won the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Jockey five times and consistently leads or ranks near the top in sportsbook odds, wins, and earnings. To summarize, in 2026, he has over 4,500 career wins from more than 22,000 starts with nearly $389 million in purse earnings. For the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, Ortiz rides the morning line favorite Renegade (4-1, post 1) for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Specifically, Ortiz excels in tactical versatility, strong finishing, and calm decision-making in traffic. He is particularly effective on closers and has multiple Breeders’ Cup victories (over 20). Also, he owns two Belmont Stakes wins (Creator in 2016 and Mo Donegal in 2022), and numerous Grade 1 successes. Despite his dominance, the Kentucky Derby Odds have remained elusive. He enters his 10th Derby start in 2026 with a best finish of fourth (Improbable in 2019).
In like manner, John Velazquez is a 54-year-old Hall of Fame jockey who began riding in 1990 and has become one of the most accomplished and respected riders in North American racing history. He is known for his calm demeanor, tactical intelligence, and big-race composure.
In sum, through 2026, he has over 6,836 career wins from more than 38,000 starts with purse earnings exceeding $519 million, making him North America’s all-time leading rider by earnings. For the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, Velazquez rides Further Ado (6-1, post 18) for trainer Brad Cox and Spendthrift Farm.
Velazquez has three Kentucky Derby victories: Animal Kingdom (2011), Always Dreaming (2017), and Authentic (2020). Also, he has two Belmont Stakes wins (Rags to Riches in 2007 and Union Rags in 2012) and the 2023 Preakness aboard National Treasure. He boasts more than 20 Breeders’ Cup wins and over 200 Grade 1 victories overall.