By AP
Louisville, KY – A Federal Judge has permanently barred the state from
preventing jockeys from wearing ads or union logos
during races. U-S District Judge John Heyburn the Second
issued the ruling, ending a dispute that started just days
before the 2004 Kentucky Derby.
Heyburn backed up his initial ruling that said the state's
regulations impinged on the jockey's first amendment
rights. Heyburn said the free-speech rights of jockeys
outweighed the state's concerns.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Authority is reviewing its rules
and is expected to take the judge's ruling into account.