2026 Kentucky Derby predictions, horses, odds, date: Surprising picks from horse racing expert
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Trainer Brad Cox, who won the 2021 Kentucky Derby via Mandaloun's elevation, will enter two favorites, Further Ado and Commandment, in the 2026 Kentucky Derby but has a 1-12 record in the race's first leg.
- Morning-line favorites for the 2026 Derby include Rengade (4-1), Further Ado (6-1), Commandment (6-1), The Puma (10-1), and Chief Wallabee (10-1), with the race scheduled for May 2 at 6:57 p.m. ET in Louisville.
- Racing analyst Michelle Yu is fading Commandment despite his Florida Derby win, citing diminishing win margins over longer distances, and instead favors The Puma, a consistent 10-1 longshot with strong connections and a solid recent record.
- Yu's top 2026 Derby pick is a horse needing more ground, along with a notable double-digit longshot she recommends backing, with detailed picks and wagering strategies available exclusively on SportsLine.
- Jockey Luis Saez will ride Commandment, seeking his first Kentucky Derby win after two Belmont Stakes victories and a controversial 2019 Derby disqualification.
