Horse Racing

Judge Bars State From Enforcing Ban on Advertising

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A federal judge permanently barred the state from enforcing a ban on jockeys wearing advertising and their union logo during races.

U.S. District Judge John Heyburn II issued the ruling Thursday, ending the four-month-old dispute that started just days before the Kentucky Derby.

Seven jockeys challenged Kentucky's racing rules that banned the wearing of advertising, promotional or cartoon symbols during races. The regulations were used to stop jockeys from wearing a patch with the name of their union, the 1,100-member Jockeys' Guild.

In a federal lawsuit filed in April, the jockeys argued the ban violated the First Amendment.

Heyburn issued a preliminary injunction just before the Derby that allowed jockeys to wear advertising logos for the first time. The ruling makes that decision permanent.

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