2026 Kentucky Derby Odds: Odds & Latest Betting Favorites

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Last updated: January 21, 2026 at 9:58 p.m. EDT

Odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby are a sought after barometer for horse-players and the public alike, because Morning Line odds help provide details of class and value among the field of Kentucky Derby runners.

• Short odds refers to odds that are closer to even money or '1,' such as '4-5.'
  • The shorter the horse's odds, the better the horse can be perceived to be compared among racing peers.
• Long odds refers to odds that move further away from even money or '1,' such as '30-1.'
  • The longer the horse's odds, the less talent a horse could have among the Derby starters.

How to pick your favorite in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

Picking a favorite can be difficult with a packed field like that found in the Derby. Luckily, TwinSpires offers a great deal of analysis centered around the Kentucky Derby lineup and odds, including pedigree reports of contenders, Future Wagers, and other odds analysis as an ultimate guide of news and notes to help you pick your favorite for the Kentucky Derby. For live updates and coverage, make sure to visit the Kentucky Derby live coverage page.

A better understanding of these odds will be a great advantage when heading to the track on the big day.

Early Kentucky Derby Odds for 2026

Fair Odds for the Kentucky Derby: With over three months to go before the first Saturday in May, it’s still not too thinking about where the market should be for the Kentucky Derby (G1).

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  • Horses listed include the top 24 in the current Road to the Kentucky Derby earned points order
  • The Fair Odds were last refreshed following the Lecomte Stakes

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Official Kentucky Derby morning line odds are selected by an odds line maker following the post position draw on Derby week. The odds maker determines, as best they can, what the odds of each horse will sit at by betting public interest and wagering action.

Any odds or lines that exist anywhere prior to the official Kentucky Derby draw on Derby week are either speculative, a bookmaker's best guess and non official.

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How Kentucky Derby Morning-line Odds Are Made

Kentucky Derby odds are released during the Post Position Draw, a one-hour ceremony that determines starting positions. The Post Position Draw takes place on the Wednesday preceding the Kentucky Derby, which is held on the first Saturday in May. TwinSpires bettors know that we are the home for Kentucky Derby wagering - and these race odds being released are truly one of the most exciting pieces the Kentucky Derby wagering process.

Mike Battaglia, Churchill Downs’ odds maker since 1974, is responsible for both the Kentucky Derby and KDFW morning line odds. He reveals odds for the main event shortly after post positions are drawn.

KentuckyDerby.com streams the Post Position Draw ceremony and the event has been televised nationally on NBCSN and local affiliates.

A full field of 20 contenders can be expected every year for America’s most famous horse race. With the the maximum number of betting interests in other U.S. races sitting at 14, the Kentucky Derby offers the potential for great bet returns.

For live odds, you can log-in to TwinSpires for free or visit KentuckyDerby.com.

Churchill Downs also offers up to four installments of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) in the months leading up to the race. A November KDFW was introduced in 2013, and the remaining three pools are typically scheduled during February, March and April surrounding the important prep races. The morning line odds are released ahead of the weekend and the unique betting opportunity lasts Friday through Sunday.

LIVE Kentucky Derby Odds

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