Meet horses running in Kentucky Derby
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Some names spring from those of their sires and dams. Other names pull from business terms, attitudes and owners’ naming traditions.
While no 2026 Kentucky Derby horse wants to get off to a bad start, it won't be required to have an excellent race. None of the last five Derby champions were even among the top three horses at the quarter-mile point of their respective race.
D. Wayne Lukas always talked up his latest crop of 2-year-old horses with an eye toward the next Kentucky Derby, telling his wife to get her dress for Oak
Four horses come into the 2026 Kentucky Derby with odds lower than 10-1. It's more likely than not that one of Renegade, Commandment, Further Ado and Chief Wallabee come away with the first leg of the Triple Crown.
Top horse racing expert Jody Demling reveals picks for 2026 Kentucky Derby horses like Renegade, Commandment, Further Ado and The Puma
The 2026 Kentucky Derby field is wide open with a few favorites and a few horses outside the trendy picks who could win at Churchill Downs this year.
Riley Mott, a son of legendary horse trainer Bill Mott, has his first Kentucky Derby horses this year with Albus and Incredibolt.