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Growing up in difficult circumstances in Louisville, Kentucky, the creator of this lively autobiography taught himself to bet on horse races, notably the Kentucky Derby, often to the gain of family, co-workers, and friends. His acute knowledge of racing was undoubtedly inherited from his father, who helped Sutton’s grandfather in his work as a blacksmith. Sutton’s youth embodied many paradoxes. For example, he was far more physically powerful than his slim frame indicated and far more intelligent than his poverty-ridden circumstances suggested. He often amazed physical education instructors and barroom bullies with his physical prowess and proved his mental capabilities by attending university, attaining a BA in biology and an MBA in mathematics, serving in the U.S. Army, and receiving high praise for his intellectual abilities. With his father and then on his own, he began his “tradition” of attending the Kentucky Derby at the age of eight.
Now in his nineties, Sutton and co-author Sims offer an unabashed look at a life enhanced by a love of whiskey (another famous Kentucky tradition), a serious teenage foot injury, and hearty humor that crept into even the most distressing circumstances. His strategy of placing several bets on every race was driven initially by financial need but also by the camaraderie and high-pitched excitement of the racing atmosphere. He painstakingly records each winner of the Derby since the beginning of his attendance and includes intriguing information about jockeys, owners, and horses, all while offering a broader narrative of other, diverse personal adventures. Sutton’s photographs and his poems lauding family forebears and offspring augment his highly readable, indeed unique, memoir. His behind-the-scenes look at the arcane, often rough science of betting and the dramatic panorama of horses and tracks promises enjoyment and fascination for a multitude of readers.