UPDATE: Golden Tempo won the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The race was filled with uncertainty, with no clear favorite or frontrunner. The Puma was scratched from the race due to a swollen leg, leaving 19 horses to compete.
Renegade, the 4-1 morning-line favorite, drew the dreaded No. 1 post position, a spot that has not produced a Kentucky Derby winner since 1986. Trainer Todd Pletcher acknowledged the challenge, saying "It's not the one we would have chosen, but it's what we got and we'll do the best we can with it."
Brad Cox still has two strong contenders in Commandment and Further Ado, with Commandment riding a four-race winning streak and Further Ado rebounding from a lengthy layoff.
The field also includes major challengers from across the country, including Potente from trainer Bob Baffert and Oaklawn Park standout Litmus Test.
The winner of the Kentucky Derby 2026 will collect a massive $3.1 million payout, while the runner-up will receive a seven-figure reward of $1 million.
The full 2026 Kentucky Derby purse distribution is structured as follows: First place: $3.1 million, Second place: $1 million, Third place: $500,000, Fourth place: $250,000, Fifth place: $150,000.
