Ky. Derby: Renegade, The Puma are co-favorites in early betting

The first day of Kentucky Derby 2026 wagering closed with $284,613 in the win pool and 5-1 co favorites in no. 1 Renegade and no. 8 The Puma.

Renegade was the technical favorite, having about $6,000 more bet on him to win. Renegade is also the favorite in the place pool, and The Puma is the show pool favorite. 

The Puma was as short as 7-2, a price that followed new co-owner Michael Iavarone betting $10,000 to win on the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner and Florida Derby (G2) runner-up.

The board flattened throughout the day as several long shots more than 70-1 dropped below 60-1. The current longest shot is Intrepido with a 55-1 price. Six Speed has the least amount of money bet on him to place, and Intrepido also lacks backers in the show pool.

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner So Happy is the third choice at 6-1, and the Brad Cox-trained Commandment and Further Ado were co-fourth choices at 8-1.

The total win, place, show pool at the 2025 Derby was $122,471,474, so the current WPS pool total of $384,173 is just 0.32% of what the total pool will be, based on last year's number.