The stage is set for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, and the 20-horse field has officially drawn their post positions. With a crowd this big, where you start can make or break your run for the roses. This year, the morning-line favorite Renegade (4-1) draws the dreaded No. 1 post—a spot that hasn't produced a winner in 40 years. Can he defy history? Or will one of the other contenders, like Commandment (6-1) or Further Ado (6-1), steal the spotlight on May 2 at Churchill Downs?

Before you place your bets, you'll want to check out the expert picks from Gene Menez, a former Sports Illustrated reporter and editor who has been crushing it on horse racing's biggest days. Menez knows the track: he correctly predicted Super Saver to win the 2010 Derby, nailed the superfecta in 2015 (American Pharoah, Firing Line, Dortmund, Frosted) for a $1,268.20 payout, and hit the Pick 4 in 2017 for nearly $6,900. In 2024, he called 18-1 longshot Mystik Dan as a live contender.

But his recent run is what has everyone talking. Last year alone, Menez hammered the exacta and trifecta in the Kentucky Derby for a $1,045 win. He also crushed the late Pick 4 on Breeders' Cup Saturday for $5,303, hit the Florida Derby winner, trifecta, and superfecta for $529.60, and scored $761.96 in the Blue Grass Stakes. On Kentucky Oaks day, he added a $915.48 Pick 4 payout. And just this year, on Fountain of Youth day, he hit the late Pick 5 for a staggering $4,648.

Whether you're a seasoned horseplayer or just looking for a little edge on Derby day, Menez's track record speaks for itself. With the rail horse trying to break a 40-year curse and several contenders lurking at single-digit odds, the 2026 Run for the Roses promises drama from the starting gate to the wire. Get your picks ready—and your best Derby outfit, too—because this is one race you won't want to miss.