How to Watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream, Odds & Predictions

2026 Kentucky Derby Prize Money

With a purse of $5 million, the Kentucky Derby is the second-richest Thoroughbred horse race in North America. The $5 million purse is split among the top five finishers as follows: 

• 1st: $3.1 million
• 2nd: $1 million
• 3rd: $500,000
• 4th: $250,000
• 5th: $150,000

2026 Kentucky Derby Odds: Full Field (Post Position Order)

Here are the current odds for all horses in the 152nd Kentucky Derby, from Post 1 to 20 (Silent Tactic has scratched):

Odds via Yahoo! Sports

How to Watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby on DIRECTV MySports® Genre Pack

The DIRECTV MySports® Genre Pack includes local NBC affiliates in select markets, making it the option for this years Kentucky Derby. As of 2026, the MySports Genre Pack starts at $44.99 per month for your first two months. DIRECTV Genre Packs require no annual contract and come with a risk-free 5-day free trial. 

For sports fans who want NBC plus a deep bench of ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and more, the MySports Genre Pack is one of the most comprehensive options available.

2026 Kentucky Derby Predictions

Early betting favorite Renegade is trained by Todd Pletcher, who looks to earn his first Kentucky Derby win in nine years. The 3-year-old colt will be Pletcher's 65th Kentucky Derby starter, the most in the race's history.

Further Ado, a trainee of Kentucky Derby winning trainer Brad Cox, is coming off a dominating 11-length win in the Blue Grass Stakes. In the saddle will be 54-year-old John Velazquez, who is going for his fourth win in the Run for the Roses.

Derby co-second favorite Commandment is coming off a big win in the Florida Derby, narrowly edging out another top contender in The Puma (10-1). Despite the win, Commandment did slow down near the end. A potential concern given the Kentucky Derby is 1¼ miles while the Florida Derby was 1⅛ miles.

Hot take: Keep an eye on The Puma at 7-1. The Puma won the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 and finished second at the Florida Derby three weeks later, and has finished in the top three in all four races since his maiden run in January. With jockey Javier Castellano, who teamed up with trainer Gustavo Delgado to win the 2023 Derby with Mage in the irons, the connections are proven winners at Churchill Downs.

FAQ

What time does the Kentucky Derby start?

Kentucky Derby coverage on Peacock and NBCSN begins at noon ET. NBC's main broadcast begins at 2:30 p.m. ET.

What is the post time for the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The scheduled post time is 6:57 p.m. ET. There is always a small buffer and the race may go off slightly before or after the scheduled time depending on how quickly horses load into the gate.

Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

Renegade is the current betting favorite at 9-2 odds, drawing the No. 1 post position. Three other horses in the 20-horse field have single-digit odds: So Happy at the No. 8 post; Further Ado at the No. 18 post; and Commandment at the No. 6 post.

Who won last year's Kentucky Derby?

Sovereignty won the 2025 Kentucky Derby at 7-1 odds on a sloppy track, trained by Bill Mott, crossing the finish line in 2:02.31.

Is there anything new about this year's Derby broadcast?

For the first time ever, NBC will broadcast the Kentucky Oaks — which showcases the best 3-year-old fillies in Thoroughbred racing — in primetime on Friday, May 1, at 8 p.m. ET.