Overview
- With prep races complete, the Derby will draw 20 starters plus two alternates on Saturday, April 25, ahead of the May 2 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.
- Early boards list Renegade around 4-1 as the favorite with Commandment near 7-1, followed by The Puma, Chief Wallabee, and Emerging Market in the next tier.
- SportsLine analyst Jody Demling published picks Tuesday that back Renegade and Further Ado.
- He is fading Commandment and Chief Wallabee despite their short prices, and he highlights Fulleffort near 15-1 as a sleeper trained by Brad Cox.
- Recent trends matter for handicapping, since no favorite has won since 2018 and the Florida Derby has not produced the Derby winner since 2017.