Top Horse Racing Investigator Resigns After New York Focus Investigation

The top investigator at New York’s horse racing regulator has resigned after a New York Focus investigation last month revealed that the agency spent years ignoring key evidence in a massive horse doping scandal.

The former director of racing investigations, Andrew Rakowsky, “resigned in lieu of termination,” New York Gaming Commission spokesperson Lee Park told New York Focus.

Rakowsky could not be reached for comment. His government phone line was disconnected as of publication time.

Last month, New York Focus reported that the commission had done nothing to punish dozens of horse owners and trainers who bought illegal drugs designed to make their horses run faster, despite receiving clear evidence in 2023 of the purchases from federal law enforcement.

In a statement provided to New York Focus for that story, Gaming Commission spokesperson Lee Park blamed Rakowsky for having “failed to take any action” or “share with relevant staff” after receiving the federal evidence. The commission had opened an investigation into the failure and placed Rakowsky on leave, Park said at the time.

Reached Thursday, Park said the investigation is ongoing and did not share findings that have been reached so far.

The Gaming Commission is already seeking a replacement for Rakowsky. Earlier this week, a job posting went up on the agency’s online job board for a new director of racing investigations. The posting was first reported by the racing news site Paulick Report.

The director will “ensure that investigations of any suspected violations of the racing laws, rules and regulations are undertaken,” the posting says.

The drug buyers in the scandal were part of an international ring run by disgraced veterinarian and convicted felon Seth Fishman, who is currently serving an 11-year sentence in federal prison. He was one of nearly 20 people who received prison sentences for buying and selling illegal horse drugs.

The commission has also opened an investigation into the individuals who bought drugs from Fishman and has subpoenaed at least one of them for further information.

Last month, Governor Kathy Hochul’s office and racing committee chairs Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner all told New York Focus that they expect “consequences” if the commission’s investigation proves wrongdoing. 

“Governor Hochul has been clear, she has zero tolerance for rule breaking and expects all employees to uphold the highest standards of ethics and accountability,” spokesperson Sean Butler said in an email to New York Focus on Thursday.

After a Gaming Commission meeting on February 3, Park declined to say when the investigation might produce results. “We’re doing this meticulously as possible, by the book, to make sure that everything that needs to be addressed is addressed,” he said.

Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer said then that it’s “clear that further action needs to be done” and expressed confidence in the commission’s staff to see the investigation through.

“Frankly, this was not our finest hour as a commission, and I’m glad you were there looking at it,” he told this New York Focus reporter.