Kentucky Derby 2026: Updated Odds, Post Positions & Must-See Picks Ahead of the Run for the Roses

Golden Tempo’s improbable, last-to-first surge electrified the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs, cashing a 23-1 ticket and rewriting history for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who became the first woman to condition a Derby winner. With jockey José Ortiz perfectly timing the colt’s sweeping move around the far turn, Golden Tempo collared pace-setter Renegade in the final 50 yards, stopping the clock in 2:02.13 for the classic 1¼ miles and igniting the loudest roar Churchill Downs has heard in years. The blockbuster payoff mirrored the drama on the track. Bettors who stuck with the chestnut colt were rewarded with $48.24 to win, $19.14 to place and $11.90 to show. Runner-up Renegade, the 5-1 second choice, returned $7.14 and $5.46, while 70-1 bomber Ocelli’s late rally for third lit up the tote with an $11.90 show price. The $2 exacta (19-1) paid $278.86, and the $1 trifecta (19-1-22) handed out a jaw-dropping $22,501.56. Golden Tempo’s connections also banked a record $3.1 million share of the $5 million purse, while Renegade’s owners collected $1 million and Ocelli earned $500,000 for third. DeVaux, 44, called the win “a breakthrough for every woman who saddles a horse,” and Ortiz labeled his mount “a warrior who never stopped running.” The full Kentucky Derby 2026 order of finish: 1. Golden Tempo 2. Renegade 3. Ocelli 4. Chief Wallabee 5. Danon Bourbon 6. Night Signal 7. Bluegrass Bandit 8. Mojave Sunrise 9. Federal Case 10. Hurricane Harbour 11. Tuscan Sky 12. Stormwatch 13. Keen Edge 14. Liberty Run 15. Highline Drive 16. Captain’s Quarters 17. Copper Canyon 18. Frontier Scout Scratches: Arctic Glory, Midtown Magic, Fast Track, Bourbon Breeze. Saturday’s upset reshuffles the early Triple Crown picture. Golden Tempo ships to Pimlico as the unlikely Preakness favorite, but questions linger about his quick two-week turnaround and whether Renegade’s tactical speed or Ocelli’s stamina might prove more effective in Baltimore. Still, after roaring from the back of an 18-horse field to seize the blanket of roses, the colt has earned his shot at immortality—and he’s already sparked one of the most memorable Kentucky Derby storylines in recent memory.