Stewards to Hear Jockeys on Unapproved Ads

Three jockeys who appear to have worn unapproved advertising during the May 7 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) are expected at a hearing before Churchill Downs stewards May 21 in Louisville.

After reviewing video clips and photographs of the race, The Kentucky Horseracing Authority and stewards are questioning the approval of ads worn by Jeremy Rose, Kent Desormeaux, and Corey Nakatani.

The britches of Rose, who finished second behind Afleet Alex, bore the name of Paradisepoker.com, a Costa Rica-based online poker site that offers real and play money wagering.

Desormeaux, who came in 11th aboard Greeley's Galaxy, wore advertisement for Vestin, a commercial mortgage brokerage business. Nakatani, who finished sixth on Wilko, wore unapproved advertising for online lending company CashCall.

Rules state that any jockey advertising must be submitted at time of entry and have approval of the horse owner, the racing association where the race is being conducted, and the stewards, who review the requests sent them to by the racetrack.

The three riders are expected to appear before Churchill stewards Mickey Sample, Brooks Becraft, and Richard Leigh.