Espinoza fined $15K for Travers attire

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Saratoga stewards fined Victor Espinoza, the jockey of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, $15,000 for wearing promotional material without permission after having been specifically instructed not to do so by the stewards.

Espinoza wore the name “Monster Energy Drink” on his boots and his own name on his pants while riding American Pharoah in the Grade 1 Travers.

The stewards said that New York has never allowed jockeys to wear their own names on their pants, and that riders who want to wear promotional material must apply to do so at least 24 hours in advance.

The stewards said two other riders were denied permission to wear their own names on their pants for the Travers.