Kentucky Derby 152 Offers Big Payout Potential To Horseplayers

BusinessSportsMoneyKentucky Derby 152 Offers Big Payout Potential To HorseplayersByDanny Brewer,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Danny Brewer has been covering Thoroughbred racing since 2006.Follow AuthorApr 27, 2026, 10:58pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Run beneath the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby 152 offers big payout potentialCoady Photography Recent times tell us the Kentucky Derby might just be the greatest betting race known to mankind. Payouts over the past five years have been quite handsome as the average $2 win wager on the Derby champ has yielded $55.88. The exotic investments have also yielded quite well as the $2 exacta average has returned $1048.36, the 50-cent trifecta $1889.60 and the $1 superfecta $66,191.30. Yes, those numbers have been inflated by the 2022 winner Rich Strike at a shocking 80 to 1, but the betting pools are always quite large and the twenty-horse field spreads the money which equals good value on many of the entrants. The 152nd running should produce more of the same as there is no dominant runner in this field. Littered with talent throughout, the 2026 edition defines WIDE open. The Run for the Roses carries a $5 million purse and a ticket to immortality. Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The runners will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey and morning line. Scheduled for May 2, the Derby is carded as race 12 with an expected post time of 6:57 pm eastern. 1 Renegade (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr. 4-1)Arkansas Derby win was super impressive and has landed this son of Into Mischief as the morning line favorite. Sam Davis Stakes win in February saw him close and get up just in time. Rail draw is not always good but may not be a huge factor considering his running style. A nice colt but we look elsewhere.2 Albus (Riley Mott, Manny Franco 30-1)Two for two this year and closed nicely to win the Wood Memorial in his last start. Inside post position may be a challenge for this son of Yaupon. Doesn’t make our list of prime-time players.3 Intrepido (Jeff Mullins, Hector Berrios 50-1)Won the American Pharoah Stakes at two but is winless at three. Finished second in Robert Lewis Stakes and was fourth in Santa Anita Derby but turned in a bullet work at Churchill on April 26. Looked freakishly good but likely not a factor in this one.4 Litmus Test (Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia 50-1)Broke poorly in Arkansas Derby and finished seventh. Was third in Rebel Stakes in only other start at three. Six of seven career starts have been in graded Stakes company. Those odds on a Bob Baffert horse looks very enticing.MORE FOR YOU5 Right to Party (Kenny McPeek, Chris Elliot 30-1)Four career starts all at Aqueduct with last two being a third in the Gotham Stakes and a second in the Wood Memorial. Displayed a nice closing kick in the Wood and closed from seventh to second in the stretch. If this son of Constitution gets it done here his connections will have the Right to Party.6 Commandment (Brad Cox, Luis Saez 6-1)Florida Derby champ has won four in a row including one at Churchill as a two-year-old. Son of Into Mischief has been in tough in last two starts and found a way to win. Definitely a player to consider here and two of last three Derby winners came through Florida Derby.7 Danon Bourbon (Manibu Ikezone, Atsuya Nishimura…

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