NYS, Cornell project to use imaging to try to avoid injuries, deaths of race horses

ALBANY — New York State and Cornell University have agreed to use advanced imaging equipment to explore ways to prevent injuries and deaths to thoroughbred horses after a 2023 spike in fatalities nationwide.

The research will use new advanced imaging equipment and techniques and could lead to permanent placement of the system adjacent to Belmont Park in Elmont and Saratoga Race Course. The deal includes $2 million from the New York Racing Association, which conducts thoroughbred racing in the state.

The agreement is part of the state budget adopted earlier this month.

"Advanced equine imaging holds incredible promise as a diagnostic tool and pathway for improving scientific research around thoroughbreds, and NYRA looks forward to investing in this technology for the benefit of the sport," said NYRA spokesman Patrick McKenna.

Officials for Cornell and Gov. Kathy Hochul's office didn't respond to requests for comment.

The project will identify leg fractures in the horses’ fetlocks, but it will also be used as a preventive measure to take images of horses “with and without lameness,” according to the state legislation. The study will target early hints in the horses’ leg bones and in their blood that could help avoid “fatal fractures in the fetlock joint.”

Last year, a Newsday investigation found that 221 horses died of racing or training injuries or other medical conditions at Belmont Park in five years and that thoroughbreds have died at higher rates there than at other racetracks.

There were additional deaths nationwide at tracks in front of large crowds, including at Santa Anita Park in California. Soon after, California started using the advancing imaging technology at its tracks.

The project in New York seeks to expand current research using a “large population” of horses. Owners of horses that join the research project won’t be charged for the imaging and analysis. The researching agency doing that work will be the Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists Hospital, located next to Belmont Park. The hospital also may screen and study horses not enrolled in the project, but may only charge for the actual costs of screenings and imaging, according to the state legislation adopted to move the project forward.

The project also will examine the “sensitivity and specificity” of more commonly used technology throughout the nation to compare its results to the new imaging equipment.

The project was proposed by Hochul, who estimated it would cost the state $17 million, which would be raised by a 1% surcharge on certain bets involving gambling companies outside New York State.

NYRA has defended the horse fatality record at Belmont, saying its rate is less than one death per 1,000 starts.

An independent watchdog on thoroughbred racing created by Congress said fatalities in horse racing nationwide has declined since 2023, when many tracks reviewed and bolstered safety measures.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority said racing-related fatalities at tracks dropped below one fatality per 1,000 starts for the first time in 2024. That was a 27.3% drop from 2023 and a decrease of 55% since 2009, when the data collection began.

“While we celebrate this progress, HISA remains committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders to further reduce fatalities and to enhance safety for horses, jockeys and all those who love and participate in the sport,” said Lisa Lazarus, CEO of the safety group, in a written statement.

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said New York should be acting faster.

“While PETA is relieved to see action taken to protect horses from fractures, we are concerned that New York State is now lagging a full six years behind the California racing industry,” Kathy Guillermo, senior vice president at PETA, told Newsday on Monday. “The sensitivity of the equipment has already been assessed. We already know PET (positron emission tomography) scans can be used to determine the amount of time needed to heal from injury and stress.”

By Michael Gormley

michael.gormley@newsday.com@GormleyAlbany

Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.