Braulio Baeza cleared for New York state steward job

Braulio Baeza Jr., the current New York Racing Association steward, has been cleared by the New York Gaming Commission to take the state steward's job at NYRA's three tracks.

The gambling commission cleared the way for Baeza to be the new state steward at a meeting on Tuesday. Baeza will replace Stephen Lewandowski, who retired in June and whose seat has been filled by either Carmine Donofrio or Erinn Higgins since then.

Beaza’s hiring by the state will leave an open position among NYRA stewards. Under rules unique to New York, the three steward positions at NYRA are reserved for appointments by the state, by NYRA, and by The Jockey Club, the official registrar of the American Thoroughbred industry. The Jockey Club steward position has been filled since the start of the current Belmont meeting by Jennifer Durenberger.

Baeza said on Tuesday after the meeting that NYRA has three accredited persons on staff who can fill his seat while the association searches for a permanent replacement. Baeza is expected to shift over to the state seat in October, following his official hiring by the gambling commission.

Also at the meeting, the commission approved new licensing requirements for riders that are designed to improve safety standards, especially in the area of concussions and head injuries. The requirements include passing mandatory medical clearance exams after suffering injuries or falls, and the possession by riders of medical information cards to assist medical staff in the event of an accident.

- additional reporting by Dave Grening