Watch Pat Day ‘Riders Up’ call at Kentucky Derby 2026
Pat Day, legendary jockey, delivered the traditional “Riders Up” call at Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby 2026.
Kentucky Derby Day saw a drop in its wagering.
With 150,415 spectators at Churchill Downs to watch Cherie DeVaux become the first female trainer to win the Derby with Golden Tempo at 23-1 odds on Saturday, wagering from all sources on the Derby Day program totaled $340 million, according to Churchill Downs. The 2025 record was $349 million.
All-source wagering on the Run for the Roses was also down to $225 million after a record-setting $234.4 million in 2025, though the all-sources handle for Derby Week was a record $487 million, a 3% increase from 2025.
Golden Tempo paid $48.24 to win on a $2 bet and moved to 3-0-2 in five career starts.
TwinSpires, the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, brought in a record-setting $129 million in wagering, a 7% increase from a year ago, on Churchill Downs races for the Kentucky Derby Week and saw a 1% increase in Derby Day wagering for a record-setting $89 million.
“We commend the connections of Golden Tempo on an exceptional victory in the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby,” said Churchill Downs, Incorporated CEO Bill Carstanjen. “This year’s Kentucky Derby Week was a remarkable celebration of racing.”
(Based on a $2 bet)
(Based on a $2 bet)
(Based on a $2 bet)
Winner: Golden Tempo, $3.1 million
2nd: Renegade, $1 million
3rd: Ocelli, $500,000
4th: Chief Wallabee, $250,000
5th: Danon Bourbon, $150,000
Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
