As is the custom of Fearless Rick, one horse will be elected in each of the Churchill Downs Stakes undercard. The bet, unless otherwise noted, is $2 win, $4 place, $6 show. Bettors are advised to use that 1-2x-3x ratio according to their personal preferences, i.e., for high rollers, that might be $20 win, $40 place, $60 show.

Fearless Rick’s Kentucky Derby Picks

There were a rash of scratches prior to the Derby, so the field is cut down to 18 horses going to the post.

Scratched were #5 Right to Party; #9 The Puma; #13, Silent Tactic; #20, Fulleffort; and, #24 Corona de Pro.

Drawing into the field are #21, Great White; #22, Ocelli; and #23, Robusta. They will race from the three outside posts and are not considered to figure in the final placings, except possibly Ocelli, who finished third 1 1/4 lengths behind Albus in the Wood Memorial, nose out for second by Right to Party, who is scratched for the Derby. He will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.

Not to make too fine a point of it, but Iraz Ortiz Jr. is aboard #1 Renegade, winner of the Arkansas Derby by open lengths.

Ortiz, widely regarded as one of the top three jockeys in the world, if not the best, is 0-for-9 in Derby starts and the Todd Pletcher-trainee give him the best shot at winning his first Derby. Should be prominent to mid-pack and able to unleash a strong finish. Much has been made of the inside, #1 post position being unfavorable, though it will probably be used to advantage by the crafty Ortiz.

This horse should be wagered across the board as the odds will be in the range of 4-1, 5-1 in a huge field.

With the scratches of Right to Party and Silent Tactic, the field opens up for #6 Commandment, with Luis Saez on the mount and #8 So happy, the Mark Glatt-trained winner of the Santa Anita Derby. #7 Danon Bourbon is undefeated in three starts in Japan and is well-suited to the 1 1/4 mile distance. Put a few bucks on #17 Six Speed, a threat to steal it all on the front end.

The Bet: $4 win, $8 place, $12 show on #1 Renegade. Box 1-6-7-8 exacta, $2 win-place on #17, and enjoy the show!

2026 KENTUCKY DERBY OFFICIAL POST POSITIONS, ODDS

SATURDAY, MAY 02 2026

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