Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Rumors Rocked Derby Odds-But the Situation Has Shifted

The first Saturday in May hosts the Kentucky Derby, bringing out some of the biggest stars from Hollywood celebrities to well-known athletes. And while many fans are wondering if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce will make their Derby debut at Churchill Downs later on today, the power duo has impacted racing odds.

According to Fox Sports, rumors that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have a 10% ownership stake in Derby contender "The Puma" have influenced the betting odds for today's race. Speculation about "The Puma" hit a fever pitch when the horse's co-owner, Michael Iavarone, took to Instagram with a photo of the colt with the following caption.

"OK people. Everyone asking me if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are partners on The Puma… all I can say is I signed an NDA, so I can't confirm or deny," he wrote, according to the outlet.

As of Saturday morning, however, The Puma-listed at 10-1-had scratched.

"We discovered some swelling in his leg due to a skin infection," trainer Gustavo Delgado said, according to the Courier Journal. "It's incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should go down within a day or two. It's just really bad timing."

Delgado said that The Puma is likely out of the upcoming Preakness (May 16) as well.

Although it's still not clear whether Kelce and Swift have any stake in "The Puma," Kelce does own a share in a racehorse. In 2024, he purchased "Swift Delivery" alongside the Zoldan family. The horse, trained by Mark E. Casse, will not be racing in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 9:31 AM.