By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-906443.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- – The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission says its new rules on jockey advertising clarify paperwork and provide transparency.
At a meeting in Lexington Tuesday, commission member Ned Bonnie explained the importance of having full disclosure of the advertising deals.
"The racing commission wants to operate in the open and wants its licensees to operate in the open. We think that establishes public confidence in our game."
Bonnie believes multi-million corporations that choose to put their logo on jockey racing pants would have no problem disclosing the details of the advertising deal to the public. Terry Meyocks of the Jockeys' Guild disputes that, and says the new system is flawed.
"The way it's set up now, it's set up to fail. We agreed to work with the owners, to help the owners. But every race you have to get permission from that owner and a race track and the commission, the state steward. It's set up to fail."
Meyocks says the race-by-race approval system hurts jockeys who could potentially secure a sponsorship deal for multiple races.