Key art for the 2026 Kentucky Derby on NBC.

2026 Kentucky Derby: How to Stream, Preview and More

The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby is on May 2. Here's what you need to know about the race and how to stream with Sling TV.

Sports have a funny way of marking the calendar. Depending on your sports preferences (and the climate where you live), the summer gets “off to the races” with the running of the Kentucky Derby, which takes place relatively early this year on Saturday, May 2. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the 152nd Run For the Roses with Sling.

How to Watch the Kentucky Derby with Sling

https://youtu.be/NQZ9lgVKYl8?si=oAz2IlgbpOJDD3CO

The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be held Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. As it has been in recent years, the race will air live on NBC, which is available in the markets below with a subscription to Sling Select or Sling Blue.

Coverage begins at 2:30 PM ET, with the post time for the Kentucky Derby itself at approximately 6:57 PM ET.

The day before the Kentucky Derby, Friday, May 1, you can catch the Kentucky Derby Oaks – billed as America’s top race for 3-year-old fillies (or female horses) – live on primetime for the first time ever. Coverage begins on NBC at 8 PM ET, with the post time for the Kentucky Oaks race scheduled for 8:40 PM. Use the link below to subscribe to Sling Select with NBC in designated markets.

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What Are the Odds For the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

Here's a look at the five favorites (as of April 29), along with the odds of the complete field at the 152nd Kentucky Derby! The post positions will be determined on Saturday, April 25.

Renegade

Pedigree: Sired by leading stallion Into Mischief, out of Spice Is Nice (a daughter of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin).

Achievements: Undefeated in his 2026 campaign. He enters the Derby following a decisive four-length romp in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and a powerful sweep in the Sam F. Davis Stakes.

Trainer: Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, who is seeking his third career Kentucky Derby victory.

Commandment

Pedigree: Sired by Into Mischief, out of Sippican Harbor (by Orb).

Achievements: He is the overall Derby points leader (150 points) and boasts a stellar 4-for-5 career record. He is currently on a four-race winning streak, which includes thrilling, hard-fought victories in the Grade 1 Florida Derby (by a nose) and the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes (by a neck).

Trainer: Louisville native Brad Cox, who is aiming for his second Derby win after previously taking the race with Mandaloun.

Further Ado

Pedigree: Sired by 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, out of Sky Dreamer.

Achievements: He delivered the most dominant prep-season performance by winning the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes by an astonishing 11 lengths, earning the highest speed figure in the Derby field (106 Beyer/107 Equibase). He also won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs as a two-year-old.

Trainer: Also trained by Brad Cox, giving his barn a formidable one-two punch at the top of the betting market.

Chief Wallabee

Pedigree: Sired by Constitution, out of A La Lucie.

Achievements: Though he hasn't won a major prep, he has been highly competitive against the best, finishing second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and third in the Florida Derby. He earned an elite 100 Beyer Speed Figure earlier in the season, which ties for one of the highest numbers in the entire crop.

Trainer: Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who is known for his patient conditioning style and is coming off a Kentucky Derby victory last year.

The Puma

Pedigree: Sired by Essential Quality, out of Eve of War.

Achievements: He proved his grit by winning the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby in a photo finish. He then stepped up to 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, battling gamely down the stretch to finish second by just a nose to Commandment.

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado, who won the 2023 Kentucky Derby with Mage and is bringing back the same ownership and jockey connections for this year's race.

Full Field of the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Post 1: Renegade, 4-1
Post 2: Albus, 30-1
Post 3: Intrepido, 50-1
Post 4: Litmus Test, 30-1
Post 5: Right to Party, 30-1
Post 6: Commandment, 6-1
Post 7: Danon Bourbon, 20-1
Post 8: So Happy, 15-1
Post 9: The Puma, 10-1
Post 10: Wonder Dean, 30-1
Post 11: Incredibolt, 20-1
Post 12: Chief Wallabee, 8-1
Post 13: Potente, 20-1 (Moved up from Post 14 after Silent Tactic was scratched)
Post 14: Emerging Market, 15-1 (Moved up from Post 15)
Post 15: Pavlovian, 30-1 (Moved up from Post 16)
Post 16: Six Speed, 50-1 (Moved up from Post 17)
Post 17: Further Ado, 6-1 (Moved up from Post 18)
Post 18: Golden Tempo, 30-1 (Moved up from Post 19)
Post 19: Fulleffort, 20-1 (Moved up from Post 20)
Post 20: Great White, 50-1 (Also-eligible who drew into the field and takes the outside gate)

What Are the Races in the Triple Crown?

The three horse races that make up the triple crown are the Kentucky Derby (the first Saturday in May); the Preakness Stakes (aka “the run for the black-eyed susans” on the third Saturday in May), which is traditionally held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland; and the Belmont Stakes (“the test of the champion” on the first or second Saturday in June), at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. In 2026, the triple crown schedule is as follows:

The Kentucky Derby - Saturday, May 3 on NBC
The Preakness Stakes (from Laurel Park, Maryland) - Saturday, May 16 on NBC
The Belmont Stakes (from Saratoga Race Course) - Saturday, June 6 on FOX