The riders are almost up, and the 2026 Kentucky Derby is just days away as the Churchill Downs Spring Meet continues throughout the week.
The most exciting two minutes in sports will feature Derby 4-1 favorite Renegade, though the field is a highly competitive one with Commandment and Further Ado also in the mix to win the first leg of the Triple Crown.
Here's who each member of the Courier Journal's sports staff picked to win the 152nd Run for the Roses:
I know it's not fun to pick the favorite, but I think he's the best horse. I don't care that he's starting in Post No. 1. It's been 40 years since a horse won out of Post 1. Renegade's going to end that streak this year, and Irad Ortiz is going to finally get his first win as a jockey in the Derby.
It’s déjà vu for jockey Mike Smith, who takes Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy to win the Run for the Roses just like he did Justify in 2018. It would give trainer Mark Glatt an emotional win in his Kentucky Derby debut.
Right to Party drew the winningest post position in the Derby and is being trained by Kenny McPeek, who trained Mystik Dan to a Derby win two years ago. He'll use a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial to win the Garland of Roses as the 3-year-old colt fights for the right to party.
The favorites in this race all have their question marks, especially with Renegade drawing the rail. At a price, I’ll take The Puma, who I believe has room to take a big step forward and give Gustavo Delgado his second Derby victory.
I’m not going to act like I know something you don’t with this pick. This just feels like a Derby where something out of the ordinary happens. Run for the Roses newcomers Riley Mott (trainer), Jaime Torres (jockey) and Pin Oak Stud (owner) reaching the winner’s circle would be just that.
It's been the season of Brad Cox, and it feels like the right time for the Louisville native to celebrate in the winner's circle. He has Commandment and Further Ado as co-second choices on the morning line, but I'll go with the 11-length winner of the Blue Grass Stakes. Having three-time Derby winner John Velazquez in the saddle certainly helps.
In sports journalism, we're always rooting for the story. And I think a Derby Day victory for Louisville trainer Brad Cox five years after Mandaloun's win by disqualification would be a great one. So I'm rocking with Commandment, Cox's Florida Derby-winning horse.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby 2026 picks by Courier Journal for Churchill Downs race