Win or lose, though, the Derby's as much about tradition as it about racing. And the state song is—in the eyes of Kentuckians, at least—the highlight of the day. For over 80 years, My Old Kentucky Home has been played by the marching band of my alma mater, the University of Louisville. Today will continue that venerable tradition, but The Star-Spangled Banner (the national anthem) will be sung by another Louisville institution, Linkin Bridge. So as a warm-up to both songs, here's Linkin Bridge singing My Old Kentucky Home:
