Every year the Kentucky Derby turns Louisville into the center of the sports world.

It's loud, it's crowded, it's a little chaotic, more than a little chaotic.

And it all comes down to just two minutes on the track.

But for longtime fans and first-time viewers alike, the derby is about

more than who crosses the finish line first. It's about traditions, instincts, and the small

details that can make or break a race before it even begins.

Hello and welcome to USA Today's The Excerpt.

I'm Dana Taylor.

Today is Thursday, April 30th, 2026th.

Joining me to set the stage for this year's race, our Courier Journal, Horse Racing

Reporter Jason Frakes and Lifestyle and Entertainment reporter Kirby Adams.

Thank you both so much for joining me once again

this year to talk about the Derby. Happy Derby. Thanks for having us. Jason, the Kentucky Derby

has more than 150 years of history, but every year feels different. What's the biggest

storyline or storylines shaping this year's race? I think from a pure

horse racing standpoint, the term line open, I think it's overused, but I think it's very,

I think it works this year. Going into last year's race, I think there were two horses,

sovereignty and journalism. I think those were by far the two race, I think there were two horses, sovereignty and journalism.

I think those were by far the two favorites.

I think everyone was going to be surprised if one of those two horses didn't win the race

and it came down to those two, Sovereignty won and journalism finished second.

I think this year you go into the race and there's seven or eight horses that no one would be surprised if any of those won the race this year.

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