Churchill Downs sets field for 152nd Kentucky Derby as official partners release odds and promotions
Official betting partners have launched specific promotional offers for new users on designated racing platforms as the 152nd Kentucky Derby approaches.
The 152nd Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 2 May 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event marks the beginning of the Triple Crown season, featuring a field of 19 three-year-old thoroughbreds following a significant late change to the entry list.
The field has been reduced to 19 runners after The Puma was scratched from the race less than 12 hours prior to the event. This withdrawal leaves Commandment and Further Ado, both listed at 6-1, as the next most prominent contenders following the Arkansas Derby winner Renegade.
Renegade enters the contest as the 4-1 favourite, having secured victories in the Sam F. Davis Stakes and the Arkansas Derby in March. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert enters with two horses, Potente and Litmus Test, seeking a record seventh victory, with odds of 20-1 and 30-1 respectively.
Wagering is open until post time at 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2. Bettors must utilise official horse racing apps such as TwinSpires, FanDuel Racing, DK Horse, and 1/ST BET, rather than general sportsbook platforms.
To celebrate the occasion, official partners have released specific promotional offers for new users. TwinSpires offers up to $400 in bonus funds, while FanDuel Racing provides a $25 bonus. DraftKings Racing users can compete for a share of a $1 million prize pool, and 1/ST BET offers up to $500 in wagering credits.
The guide also details various wager types available, including win, place, show, and exotics such as trifectas and superfectas, noting that the $1 superfecta in the Kentucky Derby has produced an average payout of $46,602.84 since 2015.
