John jockey Jr was just 8 years old in 1940 , when his blacksmith father took him to his first Kentucky Derby . The 84-year - old Louisville jockey has n't missed a race since , and has amassed an impressive collection of memorabilia over the past 76 races . Churchill Downs , the primary venue that hosts the competition , has invited Sutton to attend the event for free as a special guest on May 2 .
John Sutton Jr was just 8 years old in 1940 , when his blacksmith father took him to his first Kentucky Derby . The 84-year-old Louisville native has n't missed a race since , and has amassed an impressive collection of memorabilia over the past 76 races . Churchill Downs , the racing grounds that hosts the competition , has invited Sutton to watch the event for free as a special guest on May 2 .