LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After more than a decade, Keith Kaiser knows a thing or two about covering the Kentucky Derby and the racing fans who pack the track the first Saturday in May. 

He spent Derby morning at the track mingling with race fans who braved the rainy weather to see the 151st Run for the Roses. One of the first fans Keith sees every year is Kevin Barton, who has been first in line outside the gates for close to 20 years. But things got a little chaotic when a car crashed through a barricade and fence outside the infield gate Saturday morning. 

"We've not had this type of excitement in forever," Barton said. We're sitting there with the security guard lady ... and we just hear 'Bam! Bam!' And they bust through this fence right here and apparently they had almost run this lady over back there."

That's when Barton said they turned around and backed up "and their car's all jacked up and making all kinds of noise and these ladies started yelling at each other 'You almost ran over me!'"

Police were working to put the chain link fence back in place. Barton said the fence at the location is new this year.

"They've not done this before," he said. "It's blocked off down there and here. They've never done that, and I don't know if they didn't see it, or alcohol was involved, or they're not good drivers or what." 

It happened at 4th and Central Avenue just before 6 a.m. on Derby morning

Police told WDRB no one was injured in the crash, and there were no signs of drug or alcohol impairment. 

A steady rain continued throughout the morning, as Keith talked to Derby goers from New York, Michigan, Wisconsin and all points in between. Check out all the action in the clips above. 

More Kentucky Derby Coverage:

Kentucky Derby 151 guide to everything you need to know for Oaks and Derby Days

Did you know? Here are 25 fascinating facts about the Kentucky Derby

Celebrities hit the red carpet for a cause at the annual Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala

Celebrities shine at 12th annual Unbridled Eve Gala in downtown Louisville

Undefeated Good Cheer roars down sloppy track to win 151st Kentucky Oaks

'It's just a blessing' | 150 women walk in 17th annual Survivors Parade before Kentucky Oaks

Louisville police urge Kentucky Derby partiers to plan ahead, don’t drink and drive

Lawn parking by Churchill Downs a profitable annual boost for neighbors

Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.