NYRA racing secretary Doleshel appeals fine

Keith Doleshel, the racing secretary for the New York Racing Association, has appealed a $2,000 fine issued to him by the New York State Gaming Commission in October for “failing to conduct business in a professional manner.”

“Anyone who knows Keith Doleshel knows that during his tenure at NYRA and prior he’s always conducted his business in a professional manner,” said Drew Mollica, Doleshel’s attorney. “The scarlet letter of unprofessionalism cannot stand, so he must appeal.”

The fine stemmed from a situation during the Saratoga meet when, according to a statement from NYRA issued at the time, “due to an unintentional administrative error, an unauthorized agent claimed a horse. . . . NYRA subsequently discovered the error and notified the NYSGC of its findings.”

The Gaming Commission earlier in 2022 fined Doleshel $2,000 for allowing a horse, Soaring Mist, to compete in two New York-bred races when the horse was not fully registered as a New York-bred due to an error regarding a signature sheet. That horse was ultimately registered as a New York-bred.

Doleshel, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry Program, joined NYRA in 2017. He was appointed racing secretary for Aqueduct in October 2019 and has since taken over the racing secretary duties for Saratoga and Belmont Park as well.

“Keith Doleshel is a valued employee who conducts himself with a high degree of professionalism at all times,” NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna said in an e-mailed statement. “He has every right to appeal this decision, and NYRA continues to question the rationale for issuing significant financial penalties for alleged errors that are inadvertent and administrative or clerical in nature.”

Earlier this year, the Gaming Commission fined Frank Gabriel, NYRA’s vice president of racing operations, $4,000 for failure to follow proper claiming protocol that led to a voiding of a claimed horse, and clocker Richie Gazer was fined $2,500 and suspended 30 days for allegedly adjusting the distance and time of a workout. The latter case also is under appeal.

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