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 .