Watch: Anna Nicole Smith’s Daughter Dannielynn Birkhead Debuts “Goth-Rock” Look at Kentucky Derby 2026
Place your bets on who looked the best at the Kentucky Derby 2026.
Given a ton of celebs including Nicole Scherzinger, Lance Bassand Anthony Ramos stepped out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., for the annual horse races May 2, it’s certainly a stiff competition.
Take Nicole, for instance, who stunned in a black-and-white polka dot dress and an elaborate hat. Meanwhile, Anthony played with color as he sported a bright purple blazer, which he paired with a pink tie and blue trousers.
And while the fashion—and the fascinators—are one reason heads are turning toward the South, the horse race itself is what has people locked in.
Each year, the Kentucky Derby kicks off the prestigious Triple Crown races and—as the longest running sporting event in the U.S.—is known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” (The Preakness Stakes on May 16 and the Belmont Stakes on June 6 will round out the Triple Crown.)
This year, the top horses competing are Renegade, with 4-1 odds, Commandment with 6-1 odds, and Further Ado, who also has 6-1 odds. Renegade is entering the ring with a supposed leg up, as the horse won the Arkansas Derby in March, which secured his spot in this race.
However, the odds are not completely in Renegade’s favor, as only three other horses in history have won both the Arkansas and Kentucky derbies—Sunny’s Halo in 1983 and Smarty Jones in 2004.
Whatever the outcome, though, you can put all your money down on stars having a blast. The annual sporting event infamously brings together stars from around the world, with everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Kim Kardashian previously attending.
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Meanwhile, even athletes like Tom Brady and Travis Kelce have stepped out for the occasion. Indeed, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end previously called it a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience following his attendance in 2024.
“I’m a Derby guy now, man,” Travis joked to his brother Jason Kelce during an episode of New Heights at the time. “It was so much fun.”
But the 36-year-old—who announced his engagement to Taylor Swift in August—teased it just might be a twice in a lifetime endeavor.
“I am definitely going to try and experience again,” he continued. “It was fun just being part of the entire environment.”
To see everyone who stepped out at the Kentucky Derby 2026, keep reading…
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Churchill Downs
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