2025 Kentucky Derby: Driver crashes through fencing, gates at Churchill Downs

A driver crashed into the gates, which were set up as temporary fencing, at the Kentucky Derby early Saturday morning. Louisville Metro Police said the driver popped her tire on the fencing as she crashed into it on 4th Street and Central Avenue.

No injuries were reported, per WLKY. The crash was reportedly just an accident as nothing additional was found or reported as of Saturday afternoon.

“We haven’t had this type of excitement in forever,” a bystander named Kevin said to WDRB. “So we’re sitting there with the security guard lady … and we just hear, bam, bam. And they bust through this fence right here, and they apparently had almost run this lady over back there, and they pull in this parking lot, turn around, their cars jacked up, making all kinds of noise, and swings around, bam, comes back there and their car and stop there, and then these ladies start yelling each other. ‘You almost ran over me.’ There you go.”

Kevin mentioned the Kentucky Derby did not have this type of set up in prior years. So whatever it was, no one was hurt, which is the good news.

Kentucky Derby: How to Watch the 2025 Run for the Roses

The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday evening, officially kicking off the race for the Triple Crown as the historic horse racing season continues. Training throughout their lives, it is now time for the top three-year-olds to line up in the starting gate and run for the roses.

Post Time: 6:57 pm ET
Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
Channel: NBC

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most heavily bet events in the United States each year, causing the odds to shift heavily throughout the week and day leading up to the main event. These odds will continue to be updated leading up to the race.

All odds for this race come via Twin Spires and are accurate as of Saturday morning. In addition, the horses are listed in order of gate number, along with the corresponding odds.

1. Citizen Bull – 13/1
2. Neoquos – 39/1
3. Final Gambit 15/1
4. Rodriguez – SCRATCH
5. American Promise – 12/1
6. Admire Daytona – 36/1
7. Luxor Cafe – 9/1
8. Journalism – 7/2
9. Burnham Square – 16/1
10. Grande – SCRATCH
11. Flying Mohawk – 30/1
12. East Avenue – 37/1
13. Publisher – 29/1
14. Tiztastic – 20/1
15. Render Judgement – 15/1
16. Coal Battle – 24/1
17. Sandman – 5/1
18. Sovereignty – 9/1
19. Chunk of Gold – 28/1
20. Owen Almighty – 38/1
21. Baeza – 18/1