The 2026 Kentucky Derby is almost here, and this year's field is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. The "Run for the Roses" kicks off Saturday at 6:57 p.m. ET from the iconic Churchill Downs, and the betting odds are already creating plenty of buzz.

Leading the pack is Renegade, the morning-line favorite at 4-1 odds. Hot on his heels are Further Ado and Commandment, both sitting at 6-1, while Chief Wallabee rounds out the top contenders at 8-1. The field originally had 20 horses, but The Puma scratched Saturday morning, leaving 19 ready to race for glory.

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But before you lock in your picks, you'll want to check out the expert analysis from Jody Demling. A veteran in the horse racing world, Demling has been covering and betting on races for years. His track record is impressive: he's nailed the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times in the last 17 years. Just last year, he correctly predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in order, hitting a $1,682 superfecta. He followed that up by nailing the exacta in the Preakness. If you've followed his picks on horse racing betting sites, you've likely seen some solid returns.

For the 2026 Derby, Demling is making some bold calls. One of his biggest surprises? He's fading the favorite, Renegade. Despite the Todd A. Pletcher-trained horse's recent winning streak—including the 2026 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs—Demling isn't buying the hype. History is on his side: the last Arkansas Derby winner to take the Kentucky Derby was American Pharoah in 2015, and before that, you have to go back to Sunny's Halo in 1983 and Smarty Jones in 2004. It's a tough trend to ignore.

With post time fast approaching, Demling has locked in his full set of 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions and betting picks. Head over to SportsLine to see which horses he's backing and which longshots could surprise the field. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a casual fan, this year's Derby promises plenty of thrills—and maybe a few upsets.