what are the odds on the horses in the kentucky derby
Here are the current futures odds being quoted for leading contenders in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, along with a bit of context.
Note: These are early/futures prices from major racing and betting sites, and they can move quickly as prep races are run. Always check your own sportsbook for live odds and availability.
Key 2026 Kentucky Derby odds (futures)
Below is a snapshot of notable horses and their approximate odds range from major online books and odds trackers.
Top favorites and main contenders
| Horse | Typical odds range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paladin | ~6â1 to 10â1 (favored) | Listed as early favorite in multiple futures markets, including 9â1 on a major national outlet, and shortened to around 6â1 after a key prep win. | [9][1][3]
| Nearly | ~8â1 to 10â1 | One of the main early contenders, often second choice behind Paladin in futures boards. | [1][3][9]
| Ted Noffey | ~8â1 to 10â1 | Shown as a top favorite on some dedicated Derby betting sitesâ early 2026 boards. | [7][5]
| Canaletto | ~14â1 to 15â1 | Prominent name among early futures contenders with midâteens odds. | [3][1]
| Renegade | ~14â1 to 16â1 (some 12â1) | Regularly listed in the top tier, with odds clustered in the midâteens; some rankings now show it around 12â1. | [9][1][3]
Other notable futures prices
These horses show up just below the top favorites on futures sheets from big racing/betting outlets.
| Horse | Approx. odds band | Source examples |
|---|---|---|
| Boyd | ~11â1 to 12â1 | Appears in lowâdoubleâdigit range on multiple Derby odds pages. | [1][5]
| Blackout Time | ~12â1 | Listed in early boards around 12â1. | [5][1]
| Commandment | ~20â1 | Ranks in the second tier around 20â1 on odds lists. | [9][1]
| Golden Tempo | ~20â1 to 30â1 | Appears in midâprice range among futures contenders. | [1][9]
| Further Ado | ~14â1 to 25â1 | Shown in teens on some books and midâ20s in oddsâranking articles. | [9][1]
| Litmus Test | ~22â1 to 25â1 | Appears repeatedly in 20âsomething range on Derby odds rundowns. | [7][1][9]
| Plutarch | ~25â1 | Grouped with other midâtier contenders at about 25â1. | [1][9]
| Satono Voyage | ~33â1 | Listed in longshot band around 33â1. | [5][1]
| Chip Honcho | ~25â1 to 33â1 | Featured as a midâprice runner, often clustered with other 25â1+ types; mentioned in oddsâbased rankings after a prep placing. | [7][5][9]
| Liberty National | ~25â1 to 33â1 | Appears in futures lists in the midâ20s to lowâ30s range. | [7][5][1]
| Pyromancer | ~33â1 to 40â1 | Typically posted in the longshot bracket around the 30â40â1 mark. | [5][1]
| Six Speed | ~40â1 to 70â1 | Appears as a longshot on futures tables, with one major outlet listing it at 73â1. | [3][5]
| Talkin | ~100â1 | Listed as a very big longshot at tripleâdigit odds on some early boards. | [1]
How to interpret these odds
- Futures vs. raceday odds
These are futures lines posted months out, so they reflect hype, pedigree, and prepârace projections more than final field reality.
- Shop around
Different books show slightly different numbers for the same horse (for example Paladin between 6â1 and 10â1), so value depends on where you bet.
- Field / âAll Othersâ
Some markets offer an âAll Other ThreeâYearâOldsâ option at midâsingleâdigit odds, which can be appealing this far out when the field isnât set.
Basic Kentucky Derby bet types (quick refresher)
If youâre looking at âwhat are the oddsâ because youâre considering a wager, here are the core bet types the official Derby betting guides emphasize.
- Win â Your horse must finish 1st.
- Place â Horse can finish 1st or 2nd.
- Show â Horse can finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
- Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta â Predict the first 2, 3, or 4 finishers in exact order ; pays much more but is harder to hit.
Quick story-style snapshot
Imagine the futures board right now as a crowded paddock at Churchill Downs in late winter:
- Paladin is the buzz horse, walking in with that favoriteâs target on his back after a big prep win that squeezed his price down close to 6â1.
- Nearly and Ted Noffey circle not far behind in singleâdigit odds, the kind of colts everyone wants to like but also wants a better price on.
- A ring of midâpriced runners like Canaletto , Renegade , and Boyd sits in the teens, where a lot of value players tend to hunt.
- And then on the outer rail youâve got the longshotsâSatono Voyage , Pyromancer , Talkin âthe names people circle when theyâre dreaming of turning a small stake into a big Derby story.
Important note
Horseârace betting carries real financial risk, and the Derby is especially volatile with a large, often 20âhorse field. If you choose to bet, consider setting strict limits and treating it as entertainment, not income. Public resources and hotlines are available in many regions if gambling stops being fun.
TL;DR:
Right now, Paladin is the early favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby in
roughly the 6â1 to 10â1 range, with Nearly , Ted Noffey ,
Canaletto , and Renegade among the main chasers, and a long list of
midâpriced and longshot runners stretching all the way out to about 100â1 on
some books.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.