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The payout odds for Further Ado come in at 6-1
Jockey John Velazquez has won more Kentucky Derby races than any other taking part in this year's race
The post position start of No. 18 has only yielded a single winner
Further Ado will pay out $600 for every $100 bet to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby (3).
He is ridden by John Velazquez, who has run the most Kentucky Derby races of any jockey taking part in this year's race.
Trainer Brian Cox has won the Kentucky Derby in 2021 - well, sort of. His horse Mandaloun was awarded the win after the disqualification of Medina Spirit.
Further Ado won three of his last four starts and finished 2nd at the Tampa Bay Derby. His last win was at the Blue Grass.
24 horses have pulled off the Blue Grass Stakes → Kentucky Derby double, but none since 2007, making it a historically strong—but recently cold—prep pipeline.
Further Ado's Blue Grass win should still be considered an edge here.
What's not an edge is the post position start. No. 18. Only one horse has won from this spot. The post position start alone mostly wipes out all the positives surrounding this horse.
Other Pros
- Doesn’t need the lead—can sit mid-pack and make a move.
- Bred to handle 1¼ miles, the Derby distance that trips up many horses.
Other Cons
- He hasn’t posted the kind of top-tier speed numbers that typically win the Derby.
- Doesn’t have a signature victory in a major prep like the Florida Derby or Santa Anita Derby.
2026 Kentucky Derby Odds to Win
All odds courtesy of BetPhoenix here
Further Ado will pay out $600 for every $100 bet to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby (3).
He is ridden by John Velazquez, who has run the most Kentucky Derby races of any jockey taking part in this year's race.
Trainer Brian Cox has won the Kentucky Derby in 2021 - well, sort of. His horse Mandaloun was awarded the win after the disqualification of Medina Spirit.
Further Ado won three of his last four starts and finished 2nd at the Tampa Bay Derby. His last win was at the Blue Grass.
24 horses have pulled off the Blue Grass Stakes → Kentucky Derby double, but none since 2007, making it a historically strong—but recently cold—prep pipeline.
Further Ado's Blue Grass win should still be considered an edge here.
What's not an edge is the post position start. No. 18. Only one horse has won from this spot. The post position start alone mostly wipes out all the positives surrounding this horse.
Other Pros
- Doesn’t need the lead—can sit mid-pack and make a move.
- Bred to handle 1¼ miles, the Derby distance that trips up many horses.
Other Cons
- He hasn’t posted the kind of top-tier speed numbers that typically win the Derby.
- Doesn’t have a signature victory in a major prep like the Florida Derby or Santa Anita Derby.
2026 Kentucky Derby Odds to Win
| Post | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renegade | 4-1 |
| 2 | Albus | 30-1 |
| 3 | Intrepido | 50-1 |
| 4 | Litmas Test | 30-1 |
| 5 | Right to Party | 30-1 |
| 6 | Commandment | 6-1 |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon | 20-1 |
| 8 | So Happy | 15-1 |
| 9 | The Puma | 10-1 |
| 10 | Wonder Dean | 30-1 |
| 11 | Incredibolt | 20-1 |
| 12 | Chief Wallabee | 8-1 |
| 13 | Silent Tactic | 20-1 |
| 14 | Potente | 20-1 |
| 15 | Emerging Market | 15-1 |
| 16 | Pavlovian | 30-1 |
| 17 | Six Speed | 50-1 |
| 18 | Further Ado | 6-1 |
| 19 | Golden Tempo | 30-1 |
| 20 | Fulleffort | 20-1 |
- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
