The fastest two minutes in sports is scheduled for May 2, when the 2026 Kentucky Derby will be held at Churchill Downs at 6:57 p.m. Eastern time. A full lineup of 20 horses will compete for the most PRESTIGIOUS race in the industry, and the 2026 Kentucky Derby odds are set, with Renegade currently atop the board at 4-1. But before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, you need to see what SportsLine's ELITE horse racing expert Jody Demling has to say — because his track record is nothing short of REMARKABLE. A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing, speaking, and betting on races for years, Demling has accomplished the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times in the last 17 years. Let that sink in for a moment. TWELVE times in SEVENTEEN years, Demling has correctly predicted the winner of both the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. That is not luck — that is an UNPRECEDENTED level of expertise that has made Demling one of the most respected voices in horse racing handicapping. But it gets even more IMPRESSIVE. Demling also predicted the top three finishers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby in the correct order, an achievement that defies the mathematical odds and demonstrates a level of insight into the sport that very few people possess. He also called the exacta in last year's Preakness, further cementing his reputation as the go-to expert for Triple Crown races. Anyone who has followed him on horse racing betting sites could be way up there. Now, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby approaching and horse racing fans around the world preparing their bets, Demling has released his latest picks and predictions. Renegade is just one of four horses with odds of 10-1 or less for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Commandment at 6-1, Further Ado at 6-1, and Chief Wallabee at 8-1 are not far behind, and the depth of this year's field makes it one of the most COMPETITIVE Derbys in recent memory. The question on every bettor's mind is whether to back the favorite or look for value elsewhere. Renegade has the PEDIGREE and the connections — trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., two of the most accomplished figures in the sport. But the Kentucky Derby has a long history of upsets, and horses like Commandment, who dominated the Florida Derby, and The Puma, who has been improving with every start, could offer better value at longer odds. Demling's picks take into account a WIDE range of factors — past performance, workout times, trainer and jockey statistics, pace scenarios, and the unique demands of the mile-and-a-quarter distance at Churchill Downs. It is a COMPREHENSIVE approach that has proven successful year after year, and it is why his picks are among the most sought-after in the industry. Whether you are a seasoned horse racing bettor or a casual fan looking for a pick for the first Saturday in May, Demling's expertise is INVALUABLE. The Kentucky Derby is the most unpredictable race in the sport, but with the right information and the right guidance, it is possible to find the winner. And when it comes to finding the winner of the Kentucky Derby, nobody does it better than Jody Demling.