OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Frank Gabriel Jr. has been appointed senior vice president of racing operations for the New York Racing Association, replacing Martin Panza, the company announced in a press release Thursday. Gabriel will assume his new duties on Feb. 3. Panza and NYRA parted ways last fall after eight years. This will be Gabriel’s third stint with NYRA. In 1998-99, he was NYRA’s director of racing. In 2014, Gabriel was hired by Panza to be the racing secretary at Belmont and Saratoga. After clashing with Panza, Gabriel left that position at the end of the 2014 Saratoga meet to return to Dubai, where he had been CEO Of the Dubai Racing Club from 2005-14. Upon his return to Dubai, Gabriel assumed the title of executive director of racing for DRC, a role he maintained until he retired in 2020. :: Want the best bonus in racing? Get a $250 deposit match, $10 free bet, and free Formulator with DRF Bets. Code: WINNING Prior to working in Dubai, Gabriel was a racing official/executive at several North America tracks. He spent 16 years at Arlington Park, serving as vice president of racing operations there from 2003-05. He previously worked at Atlantic City, Garden State Park, The Meadowlands, Hialeah Park, Gulfstream, Timonium, and Keystone [now Parx]. As senior vice president of racing operations, Gabriel will be responsible for leadership and oversight of racing functions at NYRA, including the overall development, planning, and execution of NYRA’s premier stakes offerings, marquee events and daily racing programs, according to the release. “NYRA is the premier racing circuit in the country, and it is a high honor to accept this position,” Gabriel, 67, said in a release. “Our sport continues to evolve and change in meaningful and important ways, and I look forward to joining a team that successfully balances history and traditions while embracing the changes that will benefit the sport for decades to come.” Currently, Keith Doleshel is the racing secretary at Aqueduct and Saratoga. Pat Pope has served as the racing secretary at Belmont Park. As it relates to Belmont, it is unclear if that hierarchy will continue. While in Dubai, Gabriel oversaw the project to construct Meydan Racecourse, which opened in 2010. Gabriel comes to NYRA when the company is about to embark on a renovation of Belmont Park. Dave O’Rourke, president and CEO of NYRA, has stated a preference for a complete reconstruction of the Belmont building, though nothing has been officially announced in relation to that. NYRA is hopeful of beginning a renovation later this year at Belmont of its two turf courses, its dirt main track, and has talked about, in the future, constructing a synthetic surface at Belmont to potentially conduct winter racing. “We are pleased to welcome Frank Gabriel back to NYRA at this important time in the history of organization,” O’Rourke said in a release. “His passion for racing is matched by a deep knowledge of the current dynamics of the sport. Frank is a proven leader with expertise in nearly every aspect of racing who will continue to achieve the successes at NYRA in recent years.”