2026 Kentucky Derby picks, odds, predictions, favorites: Best bets via top expert who had $1,045 win last year
Gene Menez, a seasoned horse racing expert with a successful history of Kentucky Derby predictions, has released his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks ahead of the May 2 race at Churchill Downs. Despite Renegade being the 4-1 favorite, Menez is advising against betting on him due to poor finishing performance under traffic. Instead, Menez is highlighting value in other contenders such as Chief Wallabee, who is trained by William I. Mott and has consistently placed in the top three in all races.
- ▪Renegade is the 4-1 favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, trained by Todd A. Pletcher, who seeks his third Derby win.
- ▪Gene Menez, a former Sports Illustrated handicapper, correctly predicted the 2024 Kentucky Derby exacta and trifecta for a $1,045 payout.
- ▪Chief Wallabee, trained by William I. Mott, is listed at 8-1 odds and has placed in the top three in all of his races leading up to the Derby.
- ▪Fulleffort was scratched from the race and replaced by Ocelli, who enters at 50-1 odds.
- ▪Menez has a strong track record in major horse racing events, including hitting the late Pick 4 at the 2024 Breeders' Cup for over $5,000.
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2026 Kentucky Derby picks, odds, predictions, favorites: Best bets via top expert who had $1,045 win last year Gene Menez revealed his Kentucky Derby 2026 picks for the Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs By Daniel Kohn Apr 30, 2026 at 1:58 pm ET • 4 min read Imagn Images Todd A. Pletcher is looking for his third Kentucky Derby win, and first since 2017, when Renegade enters the gate for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Renegade is the 4-1 favorite in the 152nd "Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Saturday's post time is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. Pletcher, who has over 5,700 career wins, also won the Derby in 2010.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at CBS Sports.
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