N.Y. Rac. Pari-Mut. Wag. & Breed. Law § 218
There shall be three stewards to supervise each running race meeting conducted pursuant to sections two hundred five and two hundred six of this article. One of such stewards shall be the official steward of the commission, one shall be appointed by the jockey club or by the national steeplechase and hunt association as may be appropriate, and one shall be appointed by the corporation conducting such race meeting. Such stewards shall exercise such powers and perform such duties at each race meeting as may be prescribed by the rules of the commission. During the absence or inability to act of an official steward of the commission, or in the event of the failure or inability to appoint either of the other two stewards, the powers and duties of such steward shall be exercised and performed by a person designated by the commission for that purpose.
N.Y. Rac. Pari-Mut. Wag. and Breed. Law § 218