2026 Kentucky Derby horses, odds, predictions, posts: Expert who nailed 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles gives out picks

Momentum plays a big role in success, and Commandment, the 6-1 favorite, enters the 2026 Kentucky Derby on a four-race winning streak. The Brad H. Cox-trained colt is coming off a victory in the Florida Derby on March 28. Commandment is looking to become the 27th Florida Derby winner since 1952 to win the Kentucky Derby. The last horse to achieve this was Always Dreaming in 2017. Bet on the Kentucky Derby with exclusivity TwinSpires Offer Code CBSSPORTS will receive up to $400 in bonus bets here, double what is available to the general public:

The 152nd running of “The Run for the Roses” is scheduled for Saturday, 6:57 p.m. ET, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Renegade enters as a 4-1 favorite, with Commandment and Further Ado close behind at 6-1. In total, seven horses are listed at 15-1 or lower on the odds board. Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, be sure to check out the 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions and best bets from SportsLine’s elite horse racing expert Jody Demling.

A fixture in the horse racing world who has written, spoken and bet on races for years, Demling has completed the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times in the past 17 years. He also predicted the top three runners-up in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in the correct order, helping him bank a $1,682 superfecta, and called the exacta in last year’s Preakness. Everyone who followed him horse racing betting sites could be very high.

Now, as the 2026 Kentucky Derby and future horse racing odds approach, Demling shares his 2026 Kentucky Derby betting picks and 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions on SportsLine. Go to SportsLine to see them.

Best Kentucky Derby 2026 Predictions

One of Demling’s surprising picks for the 2026 Kentucky Derby: He knocks out morning line favorite Renegade at 4-1. Demling calls for Renegade to completely finish the field, saying he barely finishes in the top 10 in this 20-horse 2026 Kentucky Derby field. He showed strong in late spring, but recent Kentucky Derby trends have gone against horses coming off the rail position and favorites in general.

Demling was leaning towards him before the draw, but has now found several better values ​​on the board. “He was my pick, but in my opinion, too many things are going against him,” Demling told SportsLine. Find out who to support on SportsLine.

Another marvel: Demling likes the Puma at 10-1. The Gustavo Delgado-trained horse only began his career earlier this year, but he hasn’t finished lower than third in his four races in 2026. He finished second in January’s MSW at Gulfstream Park and the 2026 Florida Derby, and third in February’s Sam F. Davis. He won the 2026 Tampa Bay Derby on March 7, finishing ahead of Further Ado, who is 6-1.

The Puma is also looking to become the second Tampa Bay Derby winner to win the Kentucky Derby. He would join Street Sense, who accomplished this in 2007. The only other Kentucky Derby winner to compete in the Tampa Bay Derby was Super Saver, who finished third at Tampa, before winning the 2010 Kentucky Derby. Find out which other horses to support at SportsLine, and you can Sign up for FanDuel Racing for the Kentucky Derby here and get $25 in bonus bets with a $5 wager:

How to Make 2026 Kentucky Derby Picks and Bets

Demling is also high on a great long shot that “could be a monster.” Anyone who supports this sleeper pick could win big. Demling shares which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Kentucky Derby seeding, on SportsLine.

Which horse wins the 2026 Kentucky Derby and which stunning longshot is a must-see? Check out the latest 2026 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling’s Kentucky Derby picks, all from the expert who has 12 Derby-Oaks doubles.

2026 Kentucky Derby Odds