Belmont Jockeys Don Corporate Logos In Triple Crown First

Belmont Jockeys Don Corporate Logos In Triple Crown First

Published June 9, 2003

Bailey Sports A Wrangler Patch

For the "first time in a Triple Crown race, some of the jockey's uniforms included advertisements" during Saturday's Belmont Stakes, according to Bill Finley. Jerry Bailey, who rode race winner Empire Maker, wore a "large Wrangler jeans logo on his pants" during the race, and Scrimshaw jockey Gary Stevens also "carried the Wrangler logo." Funny Cide jockey Jose Santos had a Budweiser logo on his pants. Finley: "Racing regulations were changed in the mid-90's in [N.Y.] to allow jockeys to adorn their pants with advertisements, but it is believed that [Saturday's] race was the first in which any jockey had done so in" a NYRA race. Jockeys "must receive the approval of the horse's owner and track stewards before being permitted to appear with any advertisements. Ads or logos are not allowed on the silks themselves" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/8). In addition to the Wrangler logo on his pants, Bailey also wore a Wrangler hat and T-shirt during his pre-race interview with NBC's Bob Costas. Bailey's son was also seen wearing a Wrangler hat. Santos wore a Visa cap during his post-race interview discussing Funny Cide's third-place finish. Santos said during the interview, "We wanted to win the Visa Triple Crown" (THE DAILY). For more on the Belmont, see Sports Media and Events & Attractions.