“We Had Bet Quite a Bit of Money”: Years Before Attending His 84th Kentucky Derby, Local Man Experienced Once-In-A-Lifetime Luck

On May 5, 2023, the equestrian community will gather for the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. The Run of the Roses has a rich heritage, honored and celebrated by its fanbase. Case in point, John Sutton Jr. The 90-year-old has witnessed eight decades of the Kentucky Derby and seen several shifts throughout the years. From the attire of racegoers and the betting environment, to the development of local businesses around Churchill Downs in Louisville, this seasoned spectator has been there for them all.

The day the pre-race favorite Sutton Jr. bet on won the Derby, stands out as the defining moment of his life. A Churchill Downs regular, he has seen 83 Kentucky Derbys and intends to be there for the next one.

Eight-decade-long experience of the Kentucky Derby

The stories that John Sutton Jr. has told over the years about his experiences at Churchill Downs illustrate everything that makes the venue unique. Sutton’s interest in horse racing took hold when he was 8. After hearing the radio broadcast of the Kentucky Derby in 1939, he became a fan for life. Sutton asked his father to accompany him to Churchill Downs for the 1940 Kentucky Derby, but the weather was not in their favor. Even though his mother had to cover him up because it was so chilly, he remembers watching the two-minute horse race with his naked eyes.

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He has never missed an annual running of the famed Derby because of his devotion to the event; now in his 90s, he has no intention of stopping. Sutton also keeps track of all the Derby-related memorabilia he has acquired, including tickets to past races. According to WAVE News, this extraordinary event during the 2000 Kentucky Derby is John Sutton Jr.’s greatest tale. He reflects on the day he placed a large sum of money on the odds-on favorite, Fusaichi Pegasus. He risked everything on the pre-race favorite after doing the math and considering all of his options. Many people had bets on Fusaichi Pegasus before the Derby, including the seasoned fan who was pinning all of his hopes on him to win. Even without his wings, Pegasus was able to deliver for his backers in the 2000 Kentucky Derby.

The story of the wingless Pegasus

After dominating every race leading up to the 2000 Kentucky Derby, Fusaichi Pegasus was widely considered to be the best in the field. The colt’s winning streak began in Santa Anita’s Maiden Special Weight on February 1, 2000. After that, he continued his winning ways with victories in the Allowance, San Felipe Stakes (Gr. 2), and Wood Memorial Stakes (Gr. 2).

Given his history of success, Fusaichi Pegasus was almost guaranteed to start as the betting favorite. Fans were still skeptical though, because the horse had never run in a Grade 1 event. Fusaichi Pegasus, who had been picked off by many, ultimately won the 2000 Kentucky Derby. He also became the ninth-fastest winner of the Kentucky Derby with this victory.

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Since he first became interested in horse racing, John Sutton Jr. has been actively following the Derby. This is more evidence of the Derby’s undeniable appeal, which keeps viewers glued to the annual race.