Photo Credit: NYRA
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the appointment of longtime racing official Brook Hawkins to the role of NYRA Steward. Hawkins will begin his duties on November 1, opening day of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack. Hawkins has nearly 30 years of varied experience in the business as a steward, racing secretary, placing and paddock judge, stakes coordinator, clerk of scales and jockey agent. He joins NYRA from Louisiana where he had been serving as the Louisiana State Chief Steward, based at Evangeline Downs at Opelousas, since 2007; and as Steward at Fairgrounds Race Course since 2016.
“Brook is well respected throughout the industry for his knowledge and integrity,” said Martin Panza, NYRA’s Senior Vice President of Racing Operations. “We’re very pleased he’s on board.”
At NYRA tracks there are three stewards to supervise each race meeting: the official steward of the Gaming Commission, The Jockey Club Steward and the NYRA Steward. Together, these three comprise the Board of Stewards, who collectively officiate races and adjudicate disputes. Hawkins succeeds Braulio Baeza, Jr., who has assumed the role of New York State Gaming Commission steward. Dr. Jennifer Durenberger began her role as Jockey Club steward at the Belmont fall meet. In prior roles, Hawkins served as a racing official at Hialeah Park, Keeneland Race Course, Kentucky Downs Race Course, Monmouth Park, Arlington Park and Delaware Park. He also earned a Certificate of Steward Accreditation from Steward’s School at the University of Louisville.
The Aqueduct fall meet begins on Friday, November 1 with a 10-race card highlighted by the $150,000 Tempted. First post is 12 p.m. Following the cancellation of live racing on closing day at Belmont Park, Friday will now offer horseplayers a mandatory payout of the Empire 6. The jackpot carryover heading into Friday stands at $279,432 and the wager will open in Race 5, which has an approximate post time of 2:00 p.m.
Friday at the Big A will also feature a full simulcast of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park, anchored by the Grade 1, $2 million Juvenile, with a local post time of 7:04 p.m. Eastern. The Future Stars Friday Breeders’ Cup card begins at 4:12 p.m. with the Grade 2, $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Aqueduct fall meet will offer 27 stakes worth $5 million in purses, including the inaugural four-day NYRA Thanksgiving Racing Festival featuring 11 stakes worth $1.9 million in purse money. The festival runs from Thanksgiving Day, November 28 through Sunday, December 1.
The Aqueduct fall meet is highlighted by the Cigar Mile Racing Festival, which begins on Thursday, December 5. Highlighted by four graded races worth $1.5 million in purse money, the festival anchors the final weekend of the fall meet which concludes on Sunday, December 8. About the New York Racing Association (NYRA)
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) holds the exclusive franchise to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State’s thoroughbred industry, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact to the State. Over the course of 219 days of live racing in 2018, NYRA generated more than $2.1 billion in all-sources wagering handle with paid attendance exceeding 1.7 million for the fifth consecutive year.
