2026 Kentucky Derby horses, odds, predictions, posts: Expert who called 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles makes picks
The 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs features a competitive field with Renegade as the 4-1 favorite, though expert Jody Demling is skeptical due to the horse's unfavorable rail position and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.'s winless Derby record. Demling, who has successfully predicted 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles, is instead favoring The Puma at 10-1 odds, citing strong past performances against top contenders. With many horses having viable chances, Demling's picks emphasize value and overlooked potential, including a high-potential longshot he describes as 'a freak.'
- ▪The 2026 Kentucky Derby takes place on May 2 at Churchill Downs and includes a wide-open field with seven horses at 15-1 odds or shorter.
- ▪Renegade is the morning-line favorite at 4-1 but will start from the No. 1 post, a position that hasn't produced a winner in 40 years.
- ▪Jody Demling, a seasoned horse racing expert, correctly predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in order and has called 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles in 17 years.
- ▪Demling is backing The Puma at 10-1, who defeated Derby contender Further Ado in the Tampa Bay Derby and has faced strong competition in all four career races.
- ▪Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey for Renegade, is 0 for 9 in the Kentucky Derby and has never finished in the money despite riding top contenders like Improbable in 2019.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
2026 Kentucky Derby horses, odds, predictions, posts: Expert who called 12 Derby-Oaks Doubles makes picks Jody Demling, who nailed a $1,682 Kentucky Derby superfecta last year, reveals his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks for the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs By Ross Kelly May 1, 2026 at 11:00 pm ET • 3 min read Imagn Images The spotlight turns to Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2 for the 152nd Kentucky Derby. Rather than a single standout, this year's Run for the Roses features a wide-open field with seven horses listed at 15-1 or shorter 2026 Kentucky Derby odds. A total of 2 horses are entered into the 2026 Kentucky Derby, and realistically, many of them have a case to hit the board.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at CBS Sports.
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