Best Longshot for the 2026 Kentucky Derby

A full field will once again go postward in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday at Churchill Downs, and the cast features numerous contenders that are in with a winning chance in the historic event.

My top trio of leading selections is all set at odds of less than 10-1 on the morning line, so I’ll go outside the box for a runner at huge odds that I feel can make an impact in the thrilling 1 1/4-mile race beneath the Twin Spires. 

The Cherie DeVaux-trained #19 Golden Tempo (30-1) has progressed nicely in his young career and could be sitting on a huge performance in Louisville with regular pilot Jose Ortiz in the silks. The son of Curlin was super impressive in his unveiling when producing a last-to-first move en route to a victory in a six-furlong dash at Fair Grounds on Dec. 20.

Golden Tempo was placed in the Lecomte (G3) for his second career endeavor and found himself in the rear at the second call once again, and similar to his debut performance, the homebred colt charged home from the back of the pack to win in his initial route attempt. 

Golden Tempo was not as impactful in the stretch in the subsequent Risen Star (G2) on the same surface on Feb. 14, but the well-bred sophomore still produced a nice late kick to finish a clear third while racing on a strip that was favoring speed, in my opinion.

DeVaux put blinkers on the bay in the Louisiana Derby (G1), and he rallied to be third, missing by one length under the wire, while going more than five lengths clear of his nearest foe. And he has done well in the interim, according to his trainer.

“He has matured both physically and mentally a lot,” DeVaux said. “By design, we let him have the four weeks in between races, and then we had six weeks (at Keeneland), so that we could do a little bit more with him. He was always a heavier horse and took a while for him to really shape up physically, and we’re there now. He has really improved in that respect.”

The generously priced contender has a very wide draw in the Run for the Roses, but there are a handful of runners to his inside that are expected to be forwardly placed to some extent, which will allow Ortiz to cut in and save some ground early on. I love that his Brisnet Speed ratings (84-88-91-100) are ascending in advance of the Derby and that his connections mapped out a plan to get to this race early in the season, which will have him peaking on Saturday. 

Golden Tempo is the Best Longshot for the 2026 Kentucky Derby.