There are many ways to bet on the 2026 Kentucky Derby, and Jeff Hochman has landed his top pick and best bets for the race at Churchill Downs. But before you dismiss this as just another set of predictions, consider this: Hochman has earned wins in 22 of the last 39 Triple Crown races. That is a STAGGERING success rate that puts him in a category all by himself when it comes to handicapping the biggest races in horse racing. This is not a casual fan making guesses — this is a PROVEN expert with a track record that speaks for itself. The Triple Crown of horse racing begins Saturday when the starting gate opens for the first leg: the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Two weeks after the Derby, Laurel Park in Maryland will host the Preakness Stakes instead of Pimlico Race Course, which is being renovated. Three weeks after that, Saratoga Race Course will host the Belmont Stakes for the third and final time before returning to Belmont Park next year. It is a UNIQUE Triple Crown season, and the action starts with the most FAMOUS race in American sports. For the Kentucky Derby, the Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade has been installed as the 4-1 morning line favorite in the 2026 Kentucky Derby odds. Commandment at 6-1, Further Ado at 6-1, Chief Wallabee at 8-1, and The Puma at 10-1 round out the top five choices among the 20 horses in the 2026 Kentucky Derby field. Kentucky Derby Post Time 2026 is at 6:57 p.m. Eastern time. Hochman's credentials are EXTRAORDINARY. An example of his top picks was Big Brown in the 2008 Kentucky Derby at odds of 2-1, a call that demonstrated his ability to identify the dominant horse in the field. Most recently, he swept the 2022 Triple Crown, capped by Mo Donegal's easy victory in the Belmont Stakes. In 2023, he cashed in the Preakness with National Treasure. In 2024, he managed to find the winner once again. Year after year, Hochman delivers results that far exceed what any reasonable person would expect from a handicapper. For the 2026 Kentucky Derby, Hochman has analyzed every horse in the field, considering factors such as SPEED figures, stamina indicators, trainer and jockey statistics, pace scenarios, and the unique characteristics of the Churchill Downs surface. His win, place, show, and trifecta picks represent the CULMINATION of this analysis, and they provide bettors with a clear roadmap for how to approach the race. The trifecta — picking the first three finishers in the correct order — is one of the most DIFFICULT bets in horse racing, but it is also one of the most lucrative. A well-constructed trifecta can pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a minimal investment, and Hochman's trifecta picks are designed to maximize the return on investment while managing risk. Whether you are a high roller looking for a big score or a casual bettor looking to make the Derby more exciting, Hochman's picks are an ESSENTIAL resource. With 22 wins in the last 39 Triple Crown races, his track record is UNMATCHED, and his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks could be the difference between a profitable day at the races and a frustrating one.