The 2026 Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, May 2, and the field is beginning to round out. For the 152nd edition of the Run for the Roses, Paladin is the 9-1 favorite among the prospective 2026 Kentucky Derby horses. The Grade 1 race from Churchill Downs in Louisville will be run on a 1 ¼-mile dirt track and is open to only 3-year-old horses. The 2026 Kentucky Derby field could have as many as 20 horses in it.

Besides Paladin, 2026 Kentucky Derby favorites include Nearly at 10-1, Canaletto at 15-1 and Renegade at 16-1. Silent Tactic is listed at 19-1. As the race gets closer, the 2026 Kentucky Derby odds are sure to change. Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, be sure to see the horse racing predictions and futures bets from SportsLine’s elite horse racing expert Jody Demling.

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A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has nailed the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times in the last 17 years. He also predicted the top three 2025 Kentucky Derby finishers in the correct order and called the exacta in last year’s Preakness. Anyone who has followed him on horse racing betting sites could be way up. 

Now, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby approaching and horse racing futures odds on the board, Demling is sharing his 2026 Kentucky Derby betting picks and 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions over at SportsLine. Go here to see them.

Top 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions

One of Demling’s surprising 2026 Kentucky Derby picks: He doesn’t have the favorite, Paladin (9-1), winning. Paladin started his racing career by winning the one-mile dirt-fast Msw in October. He followed that up with a win at the 2025 Remsen at the 1 1/8-mile dirt-fast track in December. In February, he clipped Chip Honcho to win the 2026 Risen Star race on the 1 1/8-mile dirt-fast track.

Despite this early success, Paladin’s trainer is 0-for-9 in his Kentucky Derby career, a major concern for Demling. Another red flag is Paladin’s sire is Gun Runner, who also won the Risen Star Stakes in 2016. However, when it came to the Run for the Roses, Gun Runner finished third. With the Kentucky Derby 2026 fast approaching, Demling is questioning Paladin’s connections and pedigree. See who to back at SportsLine.

Another stunner: Demling is high on Canaletto, even though he’s a longshot at 15-1. Canaletto has run just two races, but has been impressive. He finished first on the mile-long dirt-fast MSW in January in dominant fashion with a time of 1:36.28. He beat Lost Money and Autobahn, who took second and third, respectively.

Canaletto followed that up with a third-place finish at the 1 1/16-mile 2026 Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 in 1:43.23. He is trained by Chad C. Brown. With spring fast approaching, now would be a good time to jump on Demling’s Kentucky Derby futures odds for an optimal return. See which other horses to back at SportsLine, and you can make Kentucky Derby futures bets TwinSpires here:

How to make 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, bets

Demling is especially high on a massive double-digit longshot who could be the best of a “barnful of standouts.” Demling is sharing which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Kentucky Derby leaderboard, over at SportsLine.

Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2026, and which huge double-digit longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2026 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling’s picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who has nailed 12 Derby-Oaks doubles.

2026 Kentucky Derby odds

Ben Hayes regards Evaporate as primed for Group 1 glory, but the presence of top mare Autumn Glow in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill suggests his owners might need patience a tad longer.

Having notched six wins across 21 efforts, Evaporate was narrowly beaten for a signature success most recently, outfinished by Tom Kitten during the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington, securing another Group 1 minor placing.

Hayes targets the Doncaster Mile (1600m) as the horse’s flagship Sydney assignment, viewing the upcoming George Ryder Stakes (1500m) showdown with Autumn Glow on Saturday as a valuable test.

“It’s going to be a hot race, but it will let us know where we’re at and then he will probably head to the Doncaster with 54-1/2 (kilos),” Hayes said.

“He’s won over $3 million and hasn’t won a Group One, so it’s a pretty good effort. Not many do that.

“He’s a Group One horse that just hasn’t done it yet.”

Priced at $23, Evaporate has thrived in stakes events since his spring three-year-old season and suits Sydney courses, claiming the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last year and running second to Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle (1500m).

The trainer was thrilled by Evaporate’s All-Star Mile performance, hauling the field alongside leader Pride Of Jenni before holding on gamely.

“It was super. He towed the field up to Jenni, chased her. Tom Kitten sat off him and just got him late,” he said.

“But I loved the way he kept kicking. He has always been a genuine horse.”

Traditionally, the George Ryder Stakes feeds into the Doncaster Mile, the same destination eyed by the underappreciated gelding Encap.

Encap resumed solidly in sixth spot during the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), close enough at under 1-1/2 lengths to Joliestar, with a cleaner run this campaign post a rain-affected spring.

“His feet are so much better now too,” Portelli said.

“We’ve had problems with his feet over the years, and he wasn’t coming out of the gates and getting going, I think because they were hurting him.

“He almost won the Doncaster Mile last year at 50-1. We don’t care about the price as long as we get a result, although his pattern makes it very hard to win and he is up against the best horses.”

At $126 odds, Encap shares triple-figure status in the George Ryder Stakes with Hawkes Racing’s Nepotism ($201).

Find the finest betting sites with racing odds for the George Ryder Stakes.

Manchester City midfielder Nico O’Reilly is aiming to right the wrongs of the last trip to Wembley Stadium

Growing up, Nico O’Reilly followed Manchester City closely. Whenever he could get a ticket, the future star was in the stands supporting the Blues. When he couldn’t, like for City’s major cup finals at Wembley Stadium, O’Reilly was glued to the TV screens as his team became the dominant force in English football.

On Sunday, O’Reilly will likely be in the XI as City look to win the first major trophy of the season and land an important blow on Arsenal in the process. “[I’m] really looking forward to it,” he said. “Wembley is a special place. I’ve played there a few times – Community Shield we won, FA Cup we didn’t win. So, yeah, it’d be nice to go there and hopefully win.”

“We know how good they are,” O’Reilly said when asked about the Gunners. “We know it’s going to be difficult. They’ve been very good this season. But we look forward to big games and it should be a good one. They play a bit different to us. They’ve got some amazing players, individual players, they play well as a team, they know what they’re doing.

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“So it’s going to be a tough game. We know that. But it’ll be a tough game for them as well. We’re looking forward to it.”

Mikel Arteta’s side have been synonymous with set pieces this season and have faced criticism for their approach. But O’Reilly hopes his team can draw on past experience to keep the Gunners out.

“It’s a strong point in their team. They use them very well,” he said. “”We need to prepare for it. We did it in the game when we went to their place. I thought we were very good then.

“We just need to prepare for it well and stop them as much as possible. They’re very good at set-pieces, they’re aggressive. They have good takers.

“When it’s a corner, obviously, we don’t want to be in those situations because we know how good they are but we’ll obviously need to deal with it and prepare well for it.”

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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.

O’Reilly signed a new contract at City in September last year, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until 2030. That was a huge milestone for the 20-year-old who has become one of City’s most versatile players. The midfielder’s family are his biggest supporters, attending every match and keeping him grounded along the way. O’Reilly has not forgotten his roots either. He lived in Collyhurst in the east side of Manchester and has the city’s area code ‘0161’ tattooed on him.

“It’s me, really, like how I became who I am today,” O’Reilly concluded. “Growing up there, I really enjoyed it. I used to go out, play football every day with my friends. It was a good place to grow up. I recently moved away from there but it was a great place. I’m still with my family, which is good. They’re there to look after me a bit and still support me. I enjoy it.”

Ciaron Maher’s stable last lifted the Tasmanian Derby trophy and it launched a run of Derby wins throughout the nation.

Explosive Jack prevailed in the 2021 Tasmanian Derby en route to victories in Sydney’s Australian Derby and Adelaide’s South Australian Derby.

The youngster then ventured to Brisbane for a third placing in the Queensland Derby.

Maher’s newest Hobart Tasmanian Derby conqueror, Dad And Dave from last month, could follow Explosive Jack’s route toward Australia’s three other Derbies this year.

This itinerary includes the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday, Dad And Dave’s return since his Tasmanian Derby glory.

“He’s got that Tassie form, and he’s had a little bit of time since then,” Maher said.

“But this race will shape where we go. Potentially Sydney and potentially on the Explosive Jack path to Adelaide and Brisbane after that.

“He (Explosive Jack) did the lot, but this horse is probably not as robust at the same time as Explosive Jack, but we’ll see how he goes.

“He’s in pretty good order, all the same.”

In the Alister Clark Stakes, Dad And Dave meets Amazake, who seeks his initial win.

Amazake was third in the Caulfield Classic over the upcoming course and distance in spring, then midfield in the 2500m Victoria Derby.

Most recently, he ran second over 1600m in a Pakenham maiden earlier this month.

“I just like the way he went through the line at Pakenham,” Maher said.

“It’s a more testing track there, and he hit the line pretty well.

“Being a three-year-old, he’s got plenty of time to knock off a maiden, but he stays OK and can burn around in the Alister Clark Stakes.”

Head to the racing betting markets for competitive odds on the Alister Clark Stakes.

After a successful outing in the 2022 Asian Games, India’s men’s squash team is looking to deliver its career-best performance at the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games, with new talents rising in the ranks.

India in the last Asian Games in Hangzhou won five medals in squash events, which was their joint best with the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where they also won five medals.

Indian men’s team members won two medals in the last edition, as they won gold in the team event, while veteran Saurav Ghosal won a silver medal in the singles event. With the next edition of the tournament just months away, the Indian men’s team has been going all-out in its preparation, with hopes of increasing the medal numbers even further in Japan.

A stronger core driving India forward

Not too long ago, India’s men’s squash scene revolved around a single dominant figure in Saurav Ghosal. While others featured around him, the gap in rankings was often significant.

That landscape has now changed. Four Indian players are currently ranked in and around the top 50 of the PSA standings — Abhay Singh (26), Ramit Tandon (37), Veer Chotrani (43) and Velavan Senthilkumar (51).

Healthy competition shaping preparations

The increased competition within the squad is playing a key role in India’s preparation for the Asian Games. Players are pushing each other to improve, with the closeness in rankings ensuring that no one can afford to drop their standards.

Abhay highlighted how the competition keeps him “on his toes,” while Tandon pointed out that Indian players are now regularly capable of beating top-20 opponents — something that was rare a few years ago.

Chotrani echoed a similar sentiment, noting that the group operates at a comparable level, making it both competitive and motivating. This internal rivalry is expected to be crucial in determining team combinations and singles spots for Nagoya.

Focus on consistency and long-term growth

While Indian players have shown the ability to produce standout performances, the next step in their development lies in maintaining that level consistently. Tandon stressed that moving into the top 20 will require sustained success rather than occasional big wins.

The shift in PSA rankings to a weekly system has also made progress more dynamic, allowing players to climb quickly with strong performances in key tournaments. This has added urgency and intensity to the preparation phase.

Backed by a growing talent pipeline, increased support and more domestic events, India’s men’s squash team is building towards Nagoya with a clear goal — to convert potential into results and take Indian squash to the next level.

Full list of India’s medals in squash in Asian Games 2022:

During spring, it was Via Sistina leading the way. This time around, Autumn Glow has been the star.

Aeliana has remained overshadowed by two exceptional stablemates through her recent six starts, though on Saturday at Rosehill, the mare emerges prominently in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

In addition to targeting her first triumph post-thrashing ATC Australian Derby rivals a year ago, she could enable James McDonald to tie Damien Oliver’s 129 Group 1 wins Australian record.

McDonald, fresh off victory in the Coolmore Classic last weekend via Lazzura, eyes that one more Group 1 to level with Oliver, commencing his five such rides at Rosehill aboard Aeliana.

Her trainer Chris Waller trusts the mare to supply the champion jockey’s key moment, as do gamblers backing her firmly at $1.65.

“She has come back stronger, and her first two runs have been superb,” Waller said.

“She’s got the best form heading into a Ranvet.

“This time last year, she ran second by a nostril on the same day in the Rosehill Guineas to Broadsiding and came out with an emphatic Derby win.

“She is where she needs to be.”

Aeliana headlines McDonald’s outstanding quintet of Group 1 engagements Saturday, all under Sydney’s champion trainer.

If she falls short for the tying win, Autumn Boy as Rosehill Guineas favourite gives McDonald his prompt opportunity to surpass Oliver, then Autumn Glow, the unbeaten mare, in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

The jockey’s further Group 1 hopes rest on Fireball in the Golden Slipper (1200m) and Generosity in the Galaxy (1100m), both outsiders at double-figure quotes needing shocks.

Potentially Aeliana’s sternest test is barnmate Lindermann ($9), who has notched two wins and two places in four Rosehill 2000m appearances.

After a creditable third on return, the gelding disappointed in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) last time, yet Waller reports full recovery and a battling effort ahead.

“He’s fine. He’s had an ECG and everything is normal so he will definitely be there,” Waller said.

Trinity College, the stable trio’s outsider, brings a Group 3 win at the distance from overseas, with solid training reports since his Aussie bow last month.

Find the top betting sites offering racing odds for the Ranvet Stakes action.

England manager Thomas Tuchel explains his decisions for selecting Manchester United players Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo for his upcoming camp.

He also says it was a “tough decision” to not include Trent Alexander-Arnold in the expanded 35-man squad.

The Three Lions continue their World Cup preparations with friendlies at Wembley Stadium against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March.

Teams must submit their final World Cup squads by Saturday, 30 May.

READ MORE: ‘Last opportunity to impress’ – Tuchel names 35-man England squad

Tuchel, who has made clear his love of the physical nature of English football alongside his want of a solid backline referenced Jarrell Quansah, Djed Spence and Tino Livramento as the players in front of Alexander-Arnold.

And although predominately a centre-back, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa played at right-back in the comfortable win over Wales in October and is an option there too.

“A slightly different profile,” Tuchel said when asked by BBC Sport about what the other players bring.

“It’s not what Trent cannot offer us. I know very well what Trent can offer.

“I suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool. I know very well about his strengths and what he can give.”

Livramento played the second-half of Newcastle’s 7-2 defeat by Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League tie on Wednesday, but he has already impressed the England boss.

Tuchel is big on players having “credit” for what they have previously done for him and Livramento played in England’s 5-0 away win against Serbia, arguably the most impressive performance since he took charge.

“It is a sporting decision that we stick with Quansah, Livramento and Spence who all can play in camp in the right full-back position,” added the German.

“We have evidence with how good we were in September, October and November and the players who are in camp have to push for their ticket. They have to show again that they deserve this spot.”