(AsiaGameHub) – Each year, horse racing enthusiasts across the globe eagerly await key insights to figure out which contenders have the best shot at claiming the Triple Crown and its individual races.
One of the leading sources for such information is Jody Demling, a renowned handicapper who has consistently been among the most searched names online to help horse racing fans decide which horses to back.
The Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs, and Demling already has some thoughts on the matter.
Demling Has Doubts About a Former Favorite
A major surprise in Demling’s latest odds assessment is that he’s less confident in Chief Wallabee, who was widely seen as one of the strongest contenders for the title.
Demling’s reasoning is that, despite a strong start this year, the horse has since faced increasingly tough competition—making him think he might have rushed to name Chief Wallabee an early favorite.
More contenders have emerged, and while Chief Wallabee is still expected to finish in the top tier of the Kentucky Derby, Demling isn’t as confident as he once was. In his typical style, Demling has now “dropped” one of the favorites and replaced it—perhaps unsurprisingly—with a dark horse: Renegade.
Renegade is a significant long shot with current odds of +1300, but the horse has already won two races in a row.
Even Top Oddsmakers Urge Caution
The question remains whether Renegade can keep up this winning streak, and more importantly, perform well in the Kentucky Derby.
In the meantime, more Kentucky Derby news continues to surface. Mike Battaglia, the race’s legendary oddsmaker, has retired ahead of the 152nd running of the event. He’s a remarkable handicapper who picked the favorite in 39 out of 51 races and holds one of the most impressive prediction records.
Even Battaglia, though, argues there’s no such thing as a sure thing and warns against excessive betting on the Kentucky Derby.
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