Our 2026 Kentucky Derby Wager Guide is updated in real-time through Saturday, May 2, 2026. Bookmark this page and return often for the most up-to-date betting insights including:
Expert picks from top handicappers, in-depth analysis and betting strategies for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks races, horse bios, and exclusive horse racing podcast videos. Learn how our experts are handicapping each race, explore past performance data, and get prepared to bet the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May 2, 2026.
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Arkansas Derby winner was the final Kentucky Derby Future Wager favorite for 2-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Pletcher (2010, 2017). Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. seeks his first Derby score, opting to pilot this colt over Commandment, Further Ado and Fulleffort.
Wood Memorial upsetter at 11-1 odds has won back-to-back races since starting his career 0-2. Trainer Riley Mott is son of last year's Kentucky Derby-winning trainer, Bill. Jockey Jaime Torres opted to ride R. Mott stablemate Incredibolt in the Derby.
Last year's American Pharoah winner at Santa Anita exits a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, beaten 10 lengths by So Happy. Narrow runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis over the same track in his only prior start this year. Trainer Mullins had Derby starters 2002-'05 in succession but hasn't been back since '09 favorite I Want Revenge was forced to scratch.
Los Alamitos Futurity winner dropped both decisions this season at Oaklawn, hitting the road from his California base. Third in the Rebel and seventh most recently in the Arkansas Derby, his trainer Bob Baffert has 6 Kentucky Derby victories (tied for most in race history). Fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he and Intrepido are the lone members of that race still in Derby consideration.
Aqueduct winter warrior was third in the Gotham and second in the Wood Memorial to work his way into the Derby lineup. Trainer McPeek won the roses with Mystik Dan '24, while jockey Elliott makes his debut in a race his father, Stewart, won aboard Smarty Jones '04. Photo: NYRA.
Only horse ever to win Gulfstream's Mucho Macho Man, Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, he looks to become sire Into MIschief's fourth Kentucky Derby winner and second trained by Brad Cox (Mandaloun '21). Jockeys Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. rode him to victory this year but both opted for other mounts.
Undefeated Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier won the Fukuryu Stakes to punch his ticket to Louisville. Win margin to date 18-1/2 lengths in 3 triumphs all at 1-1/8 miles or farther. The Japanese are 10: 0-0-1 in prior Derby pursuits. Photo: netkeiba
Santa Anita Derby winner extended beyond his champion sprint sire's pedigree expectations as the west's best prospect. First Derby bid for 53-year-old trainer Glatt, while 60-year-old jockey Smith is a 2-time Derby winner and seeks to become oldest rider ever to wear the roses.
Tampa Bay Derby winner and Florida Derby nose runner-up hails from the same owner-trainer-jockey as '23 Derby winner Mage. Like that stable predecessor, he was late to debut as a 3-year-old, unveiled Jan. 10. All 4 starts have come in Florida and his 21-day turnaround between recent starts now benefits with 5 weeks of rest..
Japanese-bred has been on the road to Louisville via the Saudi Derby (fourth) and UAE Derby (win) since February. Jockey Ryusei Takai, third aboard countryman Forever Young in the '24 Kentucky Derby, brings experience to his new seat in the saddle. Trainer Takayanagi a credible fifth with TO Password in '24 Derby, his first attempt.
Virginia Derby winner bounced back from a disappointing 2026 return effort in Florida. Won same Street Sense Stakes at age 2 that Sovereignty did a year prior en route to Derby glory for trainer Riley Mott's father, Bill. Preakness-winning jockey Torres picked him over Wood-winning stablemate Albus.
From same trainer-jockey as last year's Derby winner Sovereignty, this lightly raced colt didn't debut until Jan. 10 and has since run a close-up second in the Fountain of Youth and narrow third in the Florida Derby. All 3 starts have been at Gulfstream Park.
SCRATCHED: Announced Wednesday by trainer Mark Casse that a foot bruise will keep him out of Kentucky Derby 152. Hopes to make the Preakness.
Dropped his first decision when runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby as the 6-5 favorite, previously winning the San Felipe. Trainer Baffert's 6 official Derby wins are tied with Ben Jones for most all-time. Sire Into Mischief seeks a fourth Derby winner. Potente did not debut until Jan. 31 and has raced exclusively at Santa Anita.
Most lightly raced member of this year's Derby field, he won the Louisiana Derby in just his second lifetime start. Jockey Flavien Prat opted to ride him over Commandment. Since 1937, horses trying the Derby with only 2 prior starts are 6: 0-0-0 (best finish: fifth).
California-bred hit the road to win the Sunland Derby by a nose and lose a hard-luck photo in the Louisiana Derby at 21-1 odds. 2-time Derby-winning trainer O'Neill has the field's most experienced starter. -- Photo: Coady Photography
Kentucky-bred has raced exclusively in Dubai, winning the UAE Two Thousand Guineas before a second-place finish in the UAE Derby while prominent in the early pace. Son of red-hot stallion Not This Time. Seemar's Summer is Tomorrow finished last after setting the '22 Derby pace in his only previous bid.
King of Kentucky won last year's Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs and most recently Keeneland's Blue Grass. Dramatic flair with 20-length and 11-length win margins on his ledger. Jockey Irad Ortiz opted to ride Renegade. Replacement pilot Velazquez is a 3-time Derby winner (2011, 2017, 2020). Trainer Cox won the Derby with Mandaloun '21.
Raced all 4 times at Fair Grounds this winter-spring with a win in the Lecomte before third-place efforts in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby. Trainer DeVaux can become first female to saddle Kentucky Derby winner and is making her debut in the race. Son of '07 Preakness winner Curlin, third in that year's Derby. Phipps Stable co-owned '13 Derby winner Orb. St. Elias co-owned '17 Derby winner Always Dreaming.
Star of Turfway's synthetic-surface season, he won the Jeff Ruby in March to secure a spot in the Derby. He's raced 4 times on turf and 3 times on synthetic, making the Kentucky Derby his first dirt attempt. Trainer Cox won the Derby with Mandaloun '21.
Turfway Park winter warrior raced his first 3 times there on the synthetic surface, winning the John Battaglia Memorial in February at 15-1 odds. Set the pace and tired to fifth on the dirt at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes, beaten 22+ lengths by Further Ado. Trainer Ennis had similar-campaigned Epic Ride finish 13th in the 2024 Derby. Draws in from the also-eligible list after the Wednesday scratch of Silent Tactic. Photo: Coady/Turfway Park
Wood Memorial third-place finisher at 28-1 odds has yet to win a race in 6 starts. Sixth in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa and sixth in Colonial's Virginia Derby prior. Has a late-running style that sometimes welcomes additional distance.
San Felipe Stakes runner-up missed his Kentucky Derby points mark after a seventh-place regression in the Santa Anita Derby. He's raced exclusively in California thus far for Doug O'Neill, who campaigned 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another and 2016 Derby winner Nyquist.
Last-minute Derby entrant will be on the also-eligible list. Exits a third-place finish in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland 3 weeks in front of Derby Day. Lone win came March 7 in his fourth start, a Fair Grounds wire-to-wire maiden score at 1-1/16 miles.
Arkansas Derby winner was the final Kentucky Derby Future Wager favorite for 2-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Pletcher (2010, 2017). Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. seeks his first Derby score, opting to pilot this colt over Commandment, Further Ado and Fulleffort.
Wood Memorial upsetter at 11-1 odds has won back-to-back races since starting his career 0-2. Trainer Riley Mott is son of last year's Kentucky Derby-winning trainer, Bill. Jockey Jaime Torres opted to ride R. Mott stablemate Incredibolt in the Derby.
Last year's American Pharoah winner at Santa Anita exits a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, beaten 10 lengths by So Happy. Narrow runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis over the same track in his only prior start this year. Trainer Mullins had Derby starters 2002-'05 in succession but hasn't been back since '09 favorite I Want Revenge was forced to scratch.
Los Alamitos Futurity winner dropped both decisions this season at Oaklawn, hitting the road from his California base. Third in the Rebel and seventh most recently in the Arkansas Derby, his trainer Bob Baffert has 6 Kentucky Derby victories (tied for most in race history). Fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he and Intrepido are the lone members of that race still in Derby consideration.
Aqueduct winter warrior was third in the Gotham and second in the Wood Memorial to work his way into the Derby lineup. Trainer McPeek won the roses with Mystik Dan '24, while jockey Elliott makes his debut in a race his father, Stewart, won aboard Smarty Jones '04. Photo: NYRA.
Only horse ever to win Gulfstream's Mucho Macho Man, Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, he looks to become sire Into MIschief's fourth Kentucky Derby winner and second trained by Brad Cox (Mandaloun '21). Jockeys Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. rode him to victory this year but both opted for other mounts.
Undefeated Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier won the Fukuryu Stakes to punch his ticket to Louisville. Win margin to date 18-1/2 lengths in 3 triumphs all at 1-1/8 miles or farther. The Japanese are 10: 0-0-1 in prior Derby pursuits. Photo: netkeiba
Santa Anita Derby winner extended beyond his champion sprint sire's pedigree expectations as the west's best prospect. First Derby bid for 53-year-old trainer Glatt, while 60-year-old jockey Smith is a 2-time Derby winner and seeks to become oldest rider ever to wear the roses.
Tampa Bay Derby winner and Florida Derby nose runner-up hails from the same owner-trainer-jockey as '23 Derby winner Mage. Like that stable predecessor, he was late to debut as a 3-year-old, unveiled Jan. 10. All 4 starts have come in Florida and his 21-day turnaround between recent starts now benefits with 5 weeks of rest..
Japanese-bred has been on the road to Louisville via the Saudi Derby (fourth) and UAE Derby (win) since February. Jockey Ryusei Takai, third aboard countryman Forever Young in the '24 Kentucky Derby, brings experience to his new seat in the saddle. Trainer Takayanagi a credible fifth with TO Password in '24 Derby, his first attempt.
Virginia Derby winner bounced back from a disappointing 2026 return effort in Florida. Won same Street Sense Stakes at age 2 that Sovereignty did a year prior en route to Derby glory for trainer Riley Mott's father, Bill. Preakness-winning jockey Torres picked him over Wood-winning stablemate Albus.
From same trainer-jockey as last year's Derby winner Sovereignty, this lightly raced colt didn't debut until Jan. 10 and has since run a close-up second in the Fountain of Youth and narrow third in the Florida Derby. All 3 starts have been at Gulfstream Park.
SCRATCHED: Announced Wednesday by trainer Mark Casse that a foot bruise will keep him out of Kentucky Derby 152. Hopes to make the Preakness.
Dropped his first decision when runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby as the 6-5 favorite, previously winning the San Felipe. Trainer Baffert's 6 official Derby wins are tied with Ben Jones for most all-time. Sire Into Mischief seeks a fourth Derby winner. Potente did not debut until Jan. 31 and has raced exclusively at Santa Anita.
Most lightly raced member of this year's Derby field, he won the Louisiana Derby in just his second lifetime start. Jockey Flavien Prat opted to ride him over Commandment. Since 1937, horses trying the Derby with only 2 prior starts are 6: 0-0-0 (best finish: fifth).
California-bred hit the road to win the Sunland Derby by a nose and lose a hard-luck photo in the Louisiana Derby at 21-1 odds. 2-time Derby-winning trainer O'Neill has the field's most experienced starter. -- Photo: Coady Photography
Kentucky-bred has raced exclusively in Dubai, winning the UAE Two Thousand Guineas before a second-place finish in the UAE Derby while prominent in the early pace. Son of red-hot stallion Not This Time. Seemar's Summer is Tomorrow finished last after setting the '22 Derby pace in his only previous bid.
King of Kentucky won last year's Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs and most recently Keeneland's Blue Grass. Dramatic flair with 20-length and 11-length win margins on his ledger. Jockey Irad Ortiz opted to ride Renegade. Replacement pilot Velazquez is a 3-time Derby winner (2011, 2017, 2020). Trainer Cox won the Derby with Mandaloun '21.
Raced all 4 times at Fair Grounds this winter-spring with a win in the Lecomte before third-place efforts in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby. Trainer DeVaux can become first female to saddle Kentucky Derby winner and is making her debut in the race. Son of '07 Preakness winner Curlin, third in that year's Derby. Phipps Stable co-owned '13 Derby winner Orb. St. Elias co-owned '17 Derby winner Always Dreaming.
Star of Turfway's synthetic-surface season, he won the Jeff Ruby in March to secure a spot in the Derby. He's raced 4 times on turf and 3 times on synthetic, making the Kentucky Derby his first dirt attempt. Trainer Cox won the Derby with Mandaloun '21.
Turfway Park winter warrior raced his first 3 times there on the synthetic surface, winning the John Battaglia Memorial in February at 15-1 odds. Set the pace and tired to fifth on the dirt at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes, beaten 22+ lengths by Further Ado. Trainer Ennis had similar-campaigned Epic Ride finish 13th in the 2024 Derby. Draws in from the also-eligible list after the Wednesday scratch of Silent Tactic. Photo: Coady/Turfway Park
Wood Memorial third-place finisher at 28-1 odds has yet to win a race in 6 starts. Sixth in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa and sixth in Colonial's Virginia Derby prior. Has a late-running style that sometimes welcomes additional distance.
San Felipe Stakes runner-up missed his Kentucky Derby points mark after a seventh-place regression in the Santa Anita Derby. He's raced exclusively in California thus far for Doug O'Neill, who campaigned 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another and 2016 Derby winner Nyquist.
Last-minute Derby entrant will be on the also-eligible list. Exits a third-place finish in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland 3 weeks in front of Derby Day. Lone win came March 7 in his fourth start, a Fair Grounds wire-to-wire maiden score at 1-1/16 miles.
Arkansas Derby winner was the final Kentucky Derby Future Wager favorite for 2-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Pletcher (2010, 2017). Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. seeks his first Derby score, opting to pilot this colt over Commandment, Further Ado and Fulleffort.
Wood Memorial upsetter at 11-1 odds has won back-to-back races since starting his career 0-2. Trainer Riley Mott is son of last year's Kentucky Derby-winning trainer, Bill. Jockey Jaime Torres opted to ride R. Mott stablemate Incredibolt in the Derby.
Last year's American Pharoah winner at Santa Anita exits a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, beaten 10 lengths by So Happy. Narrow runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis over the same track in his only prior start this year. Trainer Mullins had Derby starters 2002-'05 in succession but hasn't been back since '09 favorite I Want Revenge was forced to scratch.
Los Alamitos Futurity winner dropped both decisions this season at Oaklawn, hitting the road from his California base. Third in the Rebel and seventh most recently in the Arkansas Derby, his trainer Bob Baffert has 6 Kentucky Derby victories (tied for most in race history). Fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he and Intrepido are the lone members of that race still in Derby consideration.
Aqueduct winter warrior was third in the Gotham and second in the Wood Memorial to work his way into the Derby lineup. Trainer McPeek won the roses with Mystik Dan '24, while jockey Elliott makes his debut in a race his father, Stewart, won aboard Smarty Jones '04. Photo: NYRA.
Only horse ever to win Gulfstream's Mucho Macho Man, Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, he looks to become sire Into MIschief's fourth Kentucky Derby winner and second trained by Brad Cox (Mandaloun '21). Jockeys Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. rode him to victory this year but both opted for other mounts.
Undefeated Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier won the Fukuryu Stakes to punch his ticket to Louisville. Win margin to date 18-1/2 lengths in 3 triumphs all at 1-1/8 miles or farther. The Japanese are 10: 0-0-1 in prior Derby pursuits. Photo: netkeiba
Santa Anita Derby winner extended beyond his champion sprint sire's pedigree expectations as the west's best prospect. First Derby bid for 53-year-old trainer Glatt, while 60-year-old jockey Smith is a 2-time Derby winner and seeks to become oldest rider ever to wear the roses.
Tampa Bay Derby winner and Florida Derby nose runner-up hails from the same owner-trainer-jockey as '23 Derby winner Mage. Like that stable predecessor, he was late to debut as a 3-year-old, unveiled Jan. 10. All 4 starts have come in Florida and his 21-day turnaround between recent starts now benefits with 5 weeks of rest..
Japanese-bred has been on the road to Louisville via the Saudi Derby (fourth) and UAE Derby (win) since February. Jockey Ryusei Takai, third aboard countryman Forever Young in the '24 Kentucky Derby, brings experience to his new seat in the saddle. Trainer Takayanagi a credible fifth with TO Password in '24 Derby, his first attempt.
Virginia Derby winner bounced back from a disappointing 2026 return effort in Florida. Won same Street Sense Stakes at age 2 that Sovereignty did a year prior en route to Derby glory for trainer Riley Mott's father, Bill. Preakness-winning jockey Torres picked him over Wood-winning stablemate Albus.
From same trainer-jockey as last year's Derby winner Sovereignty, this lightly raced colt didn't debut until Jan. 10 and has since run a close-up second in the Fountain of Youth and narrow third in the Florida Derby. All 3 starts have been at Gulfstream Park.
SCRATCHED: Announced Wednesday by trainer Mark Casse that a foot bruise will keep him out of Kentucky Derby 152. Hopes to make the Preakness.
Dropped his first decision when runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby as the 6-5 favorite, previously winning the San Felipe. Trainer Baffert's 6 official Derby wins are tied with Ben Jones for most all-time. Sire Into Mischief seeks a fourth Derby winner. Potente did not debut until Jan. 31 and has raced exclusively at Santa Anita.
Most lightly raced member of this year's Derby field, he won the Louisiana Derby in just his second lifetime start. Jockey Flavien Prat opted to ride him over Commandment. Since 1937, horses trying the Derby with only 2 prior starts are 6: 0-0-0 (best finish: fifth).
California-bred hit the road to win the Sunland Derby by a nose and lose a hard-luck photo in the Louisiana Derby at 21-1 odds. 2-time Derby-winning trainer O'Neill has the field's most experienced starter. -- Photo: Coady Photography
Kentucky-bred has raced exclusively in Dubai, winning the UAE Two Thousand Guineas before a second-place finish in the UAE Derby while prominent in the early pace. Son of red-hot stallion Not This Time. Seemar's Summer is Tomorrow finished last after setting the '22 Derby pace in his only previous bid.
King of Kentucky won last year's Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs and most recently Keeneland's Blue Grass. Dramatic flair with 20-length and 11-length win margins on his ledger. Jockey Irad Ortiz opted to ride Renegade. Replacement pilot Velazquez is a 3-time Derby winner (2011, 2017, 2020). Trainer Cox won the Derby with Mandaloun '21.
Raced all 4 times at Fair Grounds this winter-spring with a win in the Lecomte before third-place efforts in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby. Trainer DeVaux can become first female to saddle Kentucky Derby winner and is making her debut in the race. Son of '07 Preakness winner Curlin, third in that year's Derby. Phipps Stable co-owned '13 Derby winner Orb. St. Elias co-owned '17 Derby winner Always Dreaming.
Star of Turfway's synthetic-surface season, he won the Jeff Ruby in March to secure a spot in the Derby. He's raced 4 times on turf and 3 times on synthetic, making the Kentucky Derby his first dirt attempt. Trainer Cox won the Derby with Mandaloun '21.
Turfway Park winter warrior raced his first 3 times there on the synthetic surface, winning the John Battaglia Memorial in February at 15-1 odds. Set the pace and tired to fifth on the dirt at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes, beaten 22+ lengths by Further Ado. Trainer Ennis had similar-campaigned Epic Ride finish 13th in the 2024 Derby. Draws in from the also-eligible list after the Wednesday scratch of Silent Tactic. Photo: Coady/Turfway Park
Wood Memorial third-place finisher at 28-1 odds has yet to win a race in 6 starts. Sixth in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa and sixth in Colonial's Virginia Derby prior. Has a late-running style that sometimes welcomes additional distance.
San Felipe Stakes runner-up missed his Kentucky Derby points mark after a seventh-place regression in the Santa Anita Derby. He's raced exclusively in California thus far for Doug O'Neill, who campaigned 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another and 2016 Derby winner Nyquist.
Last-minute Derby entrant will be on the also-eligible list. Exits a third-place finish in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland 3 weeks in front of Derby Day. Lone win came March 7 in his fourth start, a Fair Grounds wire-to-wire maiden score at 1-1/16 miles.
Arkansas Derby winner was the final Kentucky Derby Future Wager favorite for 2-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Pletcher (2010, 2017). Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. seeks his first Derby score, opting to pilot this colt over Commandment, Further Ado and Fulleffort.
Wood Memorial upsetter at 11-1 odds has won back-to-back races since starting his career 0-2. Trainer Riley Mott is son of last year's Kentucky Derby-winning trainer, Bill. Jockey Jaime Torres opted to ride R. Mott stablemate Incredibolt in the Derby.
Last year's American Pharoah winner at Santa Anita exits a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby, beaten 10 lengths by So Happy. Narrow runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis over the same track in his only prior start this year. Trainer Mullins had Derby starters 2002-'05 in succession but hasn't been back since '09 favorite I Want Revenge was forced to scratch.
Los Alamitos Futurity winner dropped both decisions this season at Oaklawn, hitting the road from his California base. Third in the Rebel and seventh most recently in the Arkansas Derby, his trainer Bob Baffert has 6 Kentucky Derby victories (tied for most in race history). Fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he and Intrepido are the lone members of that race still in Derby consideration.
Aqueduct winter warrior was third in the Gotham and second in the Wood Memorial to work his way into the Derby lineup. Trainer McPeek won the roses with Mystik Dan '24, while jockey Elliott makes his debut in a race his father, Stewart, won aboard Smarty Jones '04. Photo: NYRA.
Only horse ever to win Gulfstream's Mucho Macho Man, Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, he looks to become sire Into MIschief's fourth Kentucky Derby winner and second trained by Brad Cox (Mandaloun '21). Jockeys Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. rode him to victory this year but both opted for other mounts.
Undefeated Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier won the Fukuryu Stakes to punch his ticket to Louisville. Win margin to date 18-1/2 lengths in 3 triumphs all at 1-1/8 miles or farther. The Japanese are 10: 0-0-1 in prior Derby pursuits. Photo: netkeiba
Santa Anita Derby winner extended beyond his champion sprint sire's pedigree expectations as the west's best prospect. First Derby bid for 53-year-old trainer Glatt, while 60-year-old jockey Smith is a 2-time Derby winner and seeks to become oldest rider ever to wear the roses.
Tampa Bay Derby winner and Florida Derby nose runner-up hails from the same owner-trainer-jockey as '23 Derby winner Mage. Like that stable predecessor, he was late to debut as a 3-year-old, unveiled Jan. 10. All 4 starts have come in Florida and his 21-day turnaround between recent starts now benefits with 5 weeks of rest..
Japanese-bred has been on the road to Louisville via the Saudi Derby (fourth) and UAE Derby (win) since February. Jockey Ryusei Takai, third aboard countryman Forever Young in the '24 Kentucky Derby, brings experience to his new seat in the saddle. Trainer Takayanagi a credible fifth with TO Password in '24 Derby, his first attempt.
Virginia Derby winner bounced back from a disappointing 2026 return effort in Florida. Won same Street Sense Stakes at age 2 that Sovereignty did a year prior en route to Derby glory for trainer Riley Mott's father, Bill. Preakness-winning jockey Torres picked him over Wood-winning stablemate Albus.
From same trainer-jockey as last year's Derby winner Sovereignty, this lightly raced colt didn't debut until Jan. 10 and has since run a close-up second in the Fountain of Youth and narrow third in the Florida Derby. All 3 starts have been at Gulfstream Park.
SCRATCHED: Announced Wednesday by trainer Mark Casse that a foot bruise will keep him out of Kentucky Derby 152. Hopes to make the Preakness.
Dropped his first decision when runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby as the 6-5 favorite, previously winning the San Felipe. Trainer Baffert's 6 official Derby wins are tied with Ben Jones for most all-time. Sire Into Mischief seeks a fourth Derby winner. Potente did not debut until Jan. 31 and has raced exclusively at Santa Anita.
Most lightly raced member of this year's Derby field, he won the Louisiana Derby in just his second lifetime start. Jockey Flavien Prat opted to ride him over Commandment. Since 1937, horses trying the Derby with only 2 prior starts are 6: 0-0-0 (best finish: fifth).
California-bred hit the road to win the Sunland Derby by a nose and lose a hard-luck photo in the Louisiana Derby at 21-1 odds. 2-time Derby-winning trainer O'Neill has the field's most experienced starter. -- Photo: Coady Photography
Kentucky-bred has raced exclusively in Dubai, winning the UAE Two Thousand Guineas before a second-place finish in the UAE Derby while prominent in the early pace. Son of red-hot stallion Not This Time. Seemar's Summer is Tomorrow finished last after setting the '22 Derby pace in his only previous bid.
King of Kentucky won last year's Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs and most recently Keeneland's Blue Grass. Dramatic flair with 20-length and 11-length win margins on his ledger. Jockey Irad Ortiz opted to ride Renegade. Replacement pilot Velazquez is a 3-time Derby winner (2011, 2017, 2020). Trainer Cox won the Derby with Mandaloun '21.
Raced all 4 times at Fair Grounds this winter-spring with a win in the Lecomte before third-place efforts in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby. Trainer DeVaux can become first female to saddle Kentucky Derby winner and is making her debut in the race. Son of '07 Preakness winner Curlin, third in that year's Derby. Phipps Stable co-owned '13 Derby winner Orb. St. Elias co-owned '17 Derby winner Always Dreaming.
Star of Turfway's synthetic-surface season, he won the Jeff Ruby in March to secure a spot in the Derby. He's raced 4 times on turf and 3 times on synthetic, making the Kentucky Derby his first dirt attempt. Trainer Cox won the Derby with Mandaloun '21.
Turfway Park winter warrior raced his first 3 times there on the synthetic surface, winning the John Battaglia Memorial in February at 15-1 odds. Set the pace and tired to fifth on the dirt at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes, beaten 22+ lengths by Further Ado. Trainer Ennis had similar-campaigned Epic Ride finish 13th in the 2024 Derby. Draws in from the also-eligible list after the Wednesday scratch of Silent Tactic. Photo: Coady/Turfway Park
Wood Memorial third-place finisher at 28-1 odds has yet to win a race in 6 starts. Sixth in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa and sixth in Colonial's Virginia Derby prior. Has a late-running style that sometimes welcomes additional distance.
San Felipe Stakes runner-up missed his Kentucky Derby points mark after a seventh-place regression in the Santa Anita Derby. He's raced exclusively in California thus far for Doug O'Neill, who campaigned 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another and 2016 Derby winner Nyquist.
Last-minute Derby entrant will be on the also-eligible list. Exits a third-place finish in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland 3 weeks in front of Derby Day. Lone win came March 7 in his fourth start, a Fair Grounds wire-to-wire maiden score at 1-1/16 miles.
Another Kentucky Derby prep season is in the books, which means the first leg of the Triple Crown is up next. Yes, the 152nd edition of the Kentucky Derby is just days away with horseplayers beginning to dive deep into the prospective field. There are several factors when handicapping the biggest race of the year in North America. The pace of the race, speed figures, and trips will play all major roles in determining who the public bets on, but analyzing the quality and depth of the races they competed in heading into the “Run for the Roses” can be as important as anything. With that in mind, let’s take a look back at the five preps I am highest on.
The recent list of Florida Derby winners is impressive dating back a decade when the race saw the Kentucky Derby winner in back-to-back years with Nyquist and Always Dreaming. Over the last five years, White Abarrio, Forte, Fierceness, Tappan Street, and now Commandment have been victorious in Gulfstream’s second-biggest race.
Commandment does not wow racing fans like Fierceness did at his best, but is a horse that seems to know his job. This is evidenced by his apparent nose for the wire as a 3YO. The Wathnan Racing colt has rattled off four consecutive wins since losing on debut, capping it off with a gutsy win against The Puma and Chief Wallabee to close out the Gulfstream Park Championship Meet. All three colts posted solid numbers in their final prep and head to Louisville confident in their chances to make a serious impression in the 2026 Kentucky Derby after exiting the strongest race of the prep season.
I have done this column to introduce our wagering guide for three years now and this marks the first time the premier race in Oldsmar, Florida makes my Top 5. The Grade 3 event marked the return of one of the favorites heading into 2026 Further Ado and Gustavo Delgado’s highly regarded colt The Puma. A thrilling three-horse battle to the wire between these two 3YOs and Chad Brown conditioned Canaletto went to The Puma by three-quarters of a length with Further Ado finishing a no-excuse second. Many, including myself, questioned the runner-up effort from Further Ado off the bench at the time, but that has been long forgotten between The Puma’s return effort in the Florida Derby and Further Ado’s dominant victory in the Blue Grass. I believe it is fair to say this year’s Tampa Bay Derby is one of the better ones in recent memory.
Florida certainly was the place for the best Triple Crown preps this winter with yet another race from the Sunshine State paving the way in this year’s Top 5. The Fountain of Youth in late February did not contain The Puma, but saw Chief Wallabee and the more experienced Commandment throw down for the first time in their careers. Chief Wallabee came into the Fountain of Youth with just one 7-furlong race under his belt, but gave Commandment all he could handle in his first start around two turns. Commandment did his thing finding a way to the wire first, but many came out of the race thinking Chief Wallabee was the more serious Derby contender. That changed in many minds a month later in the Florida Derby, but either way that easily propels this Grade 2 event into the top tier of preps this winter.
The winner of the local prep for the Tampa Bay Derby has never won the Kentucky Derby, but that could change in 2026. The $250,000 1 1/16-mile event saw Todd Pletcher-conditioned Renegade come from off-the-pace to stamp himself as one of the top contenders for this year’s “Run for the Roses.” At the time, it appeared that perhaps the Into Mischief colt beat a modest field, but The Puma’s rebound win in the Tampa Bay Derby and big run in the Florida Derby bumped this event up in this year’s pecking order. Whether the Sam F. Davis ends up producing a Triple Crown-event winner in 2026 remains to be seen, but this will go down as one of the best editions ever, regardless of how these two colts perform over their next few races.
The lone 2YO stakes to make this year’s list came in early December in a race that has seen Mo Donegal and Dornoch get to the wire first in a few of the more recent editions. The 1 1/8-mile race felt like the first throwdown of the crop between the aforementioned Renegade and the highly regarded Paladin from the Chad Brown barn. Paladin outfinished Renegade that day with the runner-up losing little in defeat since he came into the race off of a limited work tab. Unfortunately, Paladin suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of his right front ankle and was taken off the Derby trail in late March. Paladin’s injury may have taken one of the more promising 3YOs out of this year’s Triple Crown, but it did not lower my impression of how good these two ran at 9-furlongs at that stage of their careers. Hence, placing it in the back of this year’s Top 5.
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New to Horse Race Betting? No worries—we’ve got you. This section breaks down the basics of horse racing bets, from the simple stuff like traditional Win bets to more advanced plays like Exactas and Pick 5s. We'll take a look at how odds work, how payouts are calculated, and what it all means for your wallet. It’s everything you need to understand betting and enjoy the action.
If you're new to horse racing or looking to understand the basics, it's essential to grasp the Traditional bet types: Win, Place, and Show. These straightforward wagers are the foundation of horse race betting and are ideal for beginners.
A WIN bet is the simplest type of horse racing wager—you’re picking a horse to come in first place. If your horse finishes at the front, you’ll earn a payout based on the final odds for that horse. For instance, if you wager $2 on a horse with 5-to-1 odds (5/1) and it wins, you’d get $10 in profit ($5 for every $1 bet), plus your original $2 bet back, totaling $12.
Last year's KY Derby $2 WIN bet paid $17.96
A PLACE bet gives you two chances to win. You’re backing a horse to finish either first or second. As long as your chosen horse comes in one of those top two positions, you’ll receive a payout. Since the odds of winning are better than a Win bet, the potential payout is typically smaller.
Last year's KY Derby $2 PLACE bet paid $7.50
A SHOW bet offers the most leeway—you’re betting on a horse to finish in the top three. Whether your pick comes in first, second, or third, you’ll get paid. While this type of bet has the highest chance of a return, it also comes with the lowest payout due to the broader margin for success.
Last year's KY Derby $2 SHOW bet paid $5.58
Betting them ACROSS THE BOARD, is probably a term you've heard. It's a popular and straightforward wager where you’re betting on a horse to Win, Place, and Show all at once. This would be shown as WIN/PLACE/SHOW or WPS on the betting pad. If your horse finishes first, you collect the Win, Place, and Show payouts. If your horse finishes second, you collect the Place and Show payouts, and if it finishes third, you just collect the Show payout.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, Exotic bets offer a thrilling next step. These wagers involve predicting multiple outcomes—like the exact order of finishers in a single race—and they come with higher risk but much bigger potential rewards. Whether you’re chasing an Exacta or aiming for the elusive Superfecta, exotic bets bring strategy, excitement, and serious payout possibilities to the track.
An EXACTA bet ups the challenge. You’re predicting which two horses will finish first and second, in the exact order. If your selections cross the line in that precise sequence, you win. It’s tougher than a Win or Place bet, but the payouts can be significantly higher. Not confident about the exact order, but like your horse picks? Box your bet, and as long as your selected horses finish in the top 2 spots—1st and 2nd—they can finish in any order and you’ll still win.
Last year's KY Derby $2 EXACTA bet paid $48.32
Taking it a step further, a TRIFECTA bet requires you to choose the first three finishers in the exact order. Nail all three in the right sequence and you’ll score a much bigger payout—though it’s definitely harder to hit than an Exacta. Box your bet, and as long as your selected horses finish in the top 3 spots—1st through 3rd—they can finish in any order and you’ll still win.
Last year's KY Derby $.50 TRIFECTA bet paid $115.56
The SUPERFECTA is where serious bettors test their skill. You must pick the top four horses to finish in the exact order. It’s a high-risk, high-reward wager that can deliver massive payouts if you’re able to beat the odds. Box your bet, and as long as your selected horses finish in the top 4 spots—1st through 4th—they can finish in any order and you’ll still win.
Last year's KY Derby $2 SUPERFECTA bet paid $3,364.54
The ultimate single race challenge is the EXACT 5: pick the first five horses to finish in exact order in a single race. Known in some places as the Super High Five, this bet is notoriously difficult to hit, but the potential payout is huge for those who can call it perfectly. And yes, you can Box this bet too. By now, you know the drill.
Last year's KY Derby $2 EXACT 5 bet paid $76,811.92
Multi-race wagers add an extra layer of excitement to the day’s card. Instead of betting on just one race, you’re trying to predict the winners of multiple consecutive races. These bets raise the stakes—and the payouts—making them popular among players who enjoy longer-range strategy and higher risk. To increase your chances of hitting winners, you can include more than one horse in each race. That will raise your ticket cost, but it also boosts your probability of picking more winners.
DOUBLE: pick the winners of two back-to-back races. It’s the most approachable multi-race bet and often serves as a great entry point for players looking to move beyond single-race wagers.
Last year's KY Derby $2 DOUBLE bet paid $53.92
PICK 3: correctly select the winners of three consecutive races. Slightly tougher than the Daily Double, but with greater reward potential for a small added challenge.
Last year's KY Derby $.50 PICK 3 bet paid $64.16
PICK 4: predict the winners of four races in a row. The payouts start to grow substantially here, and it's a favorite among intermediate-level bettors who enjoy a bit of suspense across multiple races.
Last year's KY Derby $.50 PICK 4 bet paid $236.39
PICK 5: choose the winning horse in five straight races. Hitting all five requires strong handicapping skills—and a little luck—but the payoff can be massive, especially with longshots in the mix.
Last year's KY Derby $.50 PICK 5 bet paid $1,504.44
PICK 6: is the most legendary of the multi-race bets. To win a Pick 6, you must select the winners of six consecutive races. It's incredibly difficult to hit, but that’s also why the pools can climb into life-changing territory.
Last year's KY Derby $.20 PICK 6 bet paid $2,062.47
Unlike traditional fixed-odds sports betting, where the payout is predetermined, horse racing uses a pari-mutuel system. This means that all bets on a particular race are pooled together, and the odds can change as more money is wagered until the pools close and the race goes off.
Horse racing odds represent the potential payout for a bet relative to your stake. Let’s break down what some example odds like 5/1 & 5/2 mean, and how to calculate your winnings.
When you see 5/1 odds, it means that for every $1 you wager, you’ll win $5. That’s 5 times your bet! Plus, you get your original $1 bet back. So, with a $2 wager on a horse that is 5/1 odds, you’d profit $10 ($5 for every $1 you bet) plus your initial $2 stake, for a total of $12 in payout.
Example:
Bet: $2
Odds: 5/1
Payout: $12 (your $10 in profit + your $2 stake back)
With 5/2 odds, you’ll profit $5 for every $2 bet. This is often considered a "shorter" odd, meaning your return is smaller compared to 5/1, but still a nice payout. For a $2 bet, you'd profit $5 ($5 for every $2 you bet) plus get your original $2 stake back, for a total payout of $7.
Example:
Bet: $2
Odds: 5/2
Payout: $7 (your $5 in profit + your $2 stake back)
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PERCY'S BAR
ALWAYS A RUNNER
PROM QUEEN
COUNTING STARS
PROM QUEEN
ZANY
BELLA BALLERINA
ALWAYS A RUNNER
PERCY'S BAR
MEANING
EXPLORA
SEARCH PARTY
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BELLA BALLERINA
EXPLORA
ZANY
PROM QUEEN
PROM QUEEN
MEANING
PERCY’S BAR
ZANY
ALWAYS A RUNNER
PROM QUEEN
COUNTING STARS
ZANY
ALWAYS A RUNNER
PROM QUEEN
MEANING
PERCY’S BAR
PERCY’S BAR
ALWAYS A RUNNER
EXPLORA
COUNTING STARS
PROM QUEEN
ALWAYS A RUNNER
PERCY’S BAR
ZANY
PERCY'S BAR
ZANY
BELLA BALLERINA
SEARCH PARTY
MEANING
EXPLORA
PROM QUEEN
BELLA BALLERINA
PROM QUEEN
ZANY
MEANING
EXPLORA
PROM QUEEN
MEANING
ZANY
LOVELY GREY
CHIEF WALLABEE
FURTHER ADO
COMMANDMENT
EMERGING MARKET
COMMANDMENT
CHIEF WALLABEE
POTENTE
FURTHER ADO
COMMANDMENT
INCREDIBOLT
CHIEF WALLABEE
EMERGING MARKET
RENEGADE
THE PUMA
SILENT TACTIC
FURTHER ADO
PAVLOVIAN
FURTHER ADO
RENEGADE
EMERGING MARKET
COMMANDMENT
SO HAPPY
CHIEF WALLABEE
RENEGADE
POTENTE
RENEGADE
DANON BOURBON
EMERGING MARKET
CHIEF WALLABEE
FURTHER ADO
COMMANDMENT
INCREDIBOLT
COMMANDMENT
SO HAPPY
FURTHER ADO
GOLDEN TEMPO
CHIEF WALLABEE
FURTHER ADO
RENEGADE
DANON BOURBON
COMMANDMENT
CHIEF WALLABEE
RIGHT TO PARTY
RENEGADE
CHIEF WALLABEE
EMERGING MARKET
POTENTE
FURTHER ADO
COMMANDMENT
SO HAPPY
RENEGADE
POTENTE
SCENE SETTER: The fillies for the lilies hit primetime Friday night for the first time in the race’s history. An 8:40 pm ET post time puts the Kentucky Oaks right at sunset and its lineup in the national spotlight. Rivalries renew as Santa Anita-based MEANING and EXPLORA hit the road with credentials packed. PERCY’S BAR became the queen of Keeneland with wins in the Alcibiades at 2 and Ashland at 3, upsetting would-be Oaks favorite ZANY last out. COUNTING STARS shone brightest at Oaklawn in winning the Fantasy, but traded trophies with stablemate SEARCH PARTY along the way. Gulfstream’s top-3 return while trying to change the vote on PROM QUEEN. And then there’s BELLA BALLERINA, who brings a sibling rivalry to the Oaks. She follows her big sister’s shadow from Fair Grounds in hopes of a starring role like Pretty Mischievous gave just 3 years ago.
NOTES:
Place Your Oaks Bets
Last year Good Cheer became just the second Kentucky Oaks-winning favorite in the past decade, joining Malathaat from 2021. But note the Oaks chalk has finished in the exacta 4 of the last 5 years. Overall, Oaks favorites are 38-for-103 (37%) since the start of parimutuel wagering on the race in 1924. The race’s record $2 win payoff is $96.20 with Lemons Forever in 2006, a year that also produced the race’s record $2 exacta ($985.60), $2 trifecta ($12,186.60) and $1 superfecta ($44,551.50). The all-time record betting handle on Kentucky Oaks Day is $75.3 million, set in 2024.
New Line After A Half-Century
Churchill Downs morning line maker Mike Battaglia retired in April after setting the Kentucky Derby odds for the past 51 years. He tabbed the Derby favorite correctly 77% of the time over his career, including 4 of the last 5 – each of that quartet within a half-point of their off odds. Nick Tammaro, oddsmaker at Keeneland in recent seasons, will set the Kentucky Oaks and the Derby 152 morning line for the first time.
SCENE SETTER: The superlatives of the Kentucky Derby 152 cast indicate a wide range of contenders. COMMANDMENT won the Road to the Kentucky Derby points chase with 150 and leads all runners with 4 victories. His Brad Cox stablemate FURTHER ADO is top money-earner at $1,068,095 and owns the largest prep margin of victory by a Derby starter this year (11 lengths in the Blue Grass). RENEGADE’s Todd Pletcher has had more Derby experience than any trainer in history with 65 prior starters, winning twice. SO HAPPY rider Mike Smith’s 29th Kentucky Derby mount further adds to his all-time race record, including 2 wins. POTENTE was the most expensive purchase in the field at $2.4 million and his trainer Bob Baffert’s 6 Derby wins are most of any conditioner in the field and tied with Ben Jones' all-time record. Two-time Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill’s PAVLOVIAN is the field’s most experienced runner with 10 starts. Japan’s DANON BOURBON (3) and Chad Brown’s EMERGING MARKET (2) are the field’s only unbeatens.
NOTES:
Arkansas Derby alum to win: Mystik Dan (2024)
Blue Grass alum to win: Street Sense (2007)
Florida Derby alum to win: Sovereignty (2025)
Louisiana Derby alum to win: Mandaloun (2021)
Santa Anita Derby alum to win: Authentic (2020)
Jeff Ruby alum to win: Rich Strike (2022)
Wood Memorial alum to win: Funny Cide (2003)
Sunshine Statement
The Florida Derby notched its record-padding 26th Kentucky Derby winner in 2025 with Sovereignty, extending its all-time prep lead to 3 over the Blue Grass (which hasn’t produced a Derby winner since Street Sense in 2007). The last 10 Derbies have seen 4 Florida Derby alumni draped in roses, including Mage (2023), Always Dreaming (2017) and Nyquist (2016).
Handful Have Hit a Hundred
Five Kentucky Derby winners all-time paid $100 or more for a $2 win mutuel, 4 of them coming in the last 20 years: Donerail $184.90 (1913), Rich Strike $163.60 (2022), Country House $132.40 (2019), Mike That Bird $103.20 (2009) and Giacomo $102.60 (2005).
SCENE SETTER: Kentucky Derby favorites have lost 7 straight editions since Justify’s 2018 score, the second-longest streak of futility in the race’s parimutuel history. Since 1908, the only longer dearth came during an unthinkable, 20-year run between 1980 and 1999 when contemporary horseplayers wondered if a Derby favorite might ever win again. The current losing streak isn’t for lack of trying: Tiz the Law, Epicenter and Journalism have finished second; Essential Quality and Angel of Empire ran third; Improbable bottomed the superfecta. Fierceness (15th) is the only Derby favorite to miss the superfecta during that time, and the only since Dialed In in 2011 to finish off the board.
NOTES:
Two-Step to the Title
Last year Sovereignty became the first Derby winner to utilize only 2 prep races during the 3-year-old season since Nyquist in 2016. That ended a streak of 8 straight winners with 3 or 4 seasonal starts prior to Louisville.
Japan’s Sun Still Rising?
After 12th and 19th-place finishes a year ago by Luxor Café and Admire Daytona, handicappers will be poised with the question if the Japanese contingent met its peak with the 2024 photo-finish third by Forever Young. He’s gone on to achieve modern superstardom. Other Japanese results haven’t fared as well: Ski Captain (14th, 1995), Lani (9th, 2016), Master Fencer (6th, 2019), Crown Pride (13th, 2022), Mandarin Hero (12th, 2023), Derma Sotogake (6th, 2023), TO Password (5th, 2024).
SCENE SETTER: Where do you want to be positioned in the Kentucky Derby? History offers no help. Of the 122 listed years of Kentucky Derby Media Guide chart data, 61 winners were at least 4 lengths back after the first half-mile, while the very same 61 were less than 4 lengths from the lead at the same point. What’s more? The exact same number of Kentucky Derby winners have led after the opening half-mile (27) that have won from at least 10 lengths off the pace at that same point (27). In the last 10 editions? You guessed it: 5 were 4 lengths or more back after a half-mile, while 5 were less than 4 lengths from the lead. Big speed? Big closers? Anyone’s guess.
Jeremy Plonk: Kentucky Derby 152 Post Position Draw Reaction
NOTES:
Jockey to win back-to-back: Victor Espinoza (2014 California Chrome, 2015 American Pharoah)
Trainer to win back-to-back: Bob Baffert (1997 Silver Charm, 1998 Real Quiet)
Jockey to win Derby debut: Sonny Leon (2022 Rich Strike)
Trainer to win Derby debut: Eric Reed (2022 Rich Strike)
Jockey to win Oaks & Derby same year: Brian Hernandez Jr. (2024, Thorpedo Anna & Mystik Dan)
Trainer to win Oaks & Derby same year: Kenny McPeek (2024, Thorpedo Anna & Mystik Dan)
Female trainer to compete: Victoria Oliver (2021 Hidden Stash, 13th by DQ)
Winner to close from more than 10 lengths back: Sovereignty (2025); third time in last 4 years
Rain, Rain, Stay Away
Churchill Downs has felt some precipitation on 72 of 151 Kentucky Derby Days all-time (48%), but the track has been labeled fast 105 times (70%). Last year’s sloppy (sealed) track was the first off-track designation since 2019.
Been There Before
7 trainers among this year’s Kentucky Derby lineup already have won the race on at least 1 occasion. They include: Bill Mott, Bob Baffert, Brad Cox, Doug O’Neill, Gustavo Delgado, Kenny McPeek and Todd Pletcher.
Decision Desk 2026
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. pursues his first Kentucky Derby victory and this year had big decisions to make on the trail. His 2026 successes came aboard Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade (Sam F. Davis, Arkansas Derby), as well as the Brad Cox-trained trio of Commandment (Fountain of Youth, Mucho Macho Man), Fulleffort (Jeff Ruby) and Further Ado (Blue Grass). Ortiz and his agent, Steve Rushing, opted to partner with Renegade.
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