NY Lawmakers Approve Advanced Imaging Technology Plan

The Democrat-controlled New York State Assembly March 14 approved a plan to create a screening and advanced imaging program designed to improve racehorse safety as part of a partnership between Cornell University and the New York Racing Association.

NYRA officials hailed the plan, which it has promoted, as providing more advanced and geographically closer imaging services for Thoroughbred racehorses in New York. The equipment will be housed at Cornell's equine hospital, Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists, just outside the gates of Belmont Park.

The approval makes the item now part of state budget negotiations that will be heating up in Albany, N.Y., the next couple weeks between the Assembly, state Senate, and Gov. Kathy Hochul as they seek to get an overall state fiscal plan in place by the fiscal year start April 1.

The Assembly and Senate on Thursday both passed what are known as "one house" budget bills, which in part seek to define their financial and policy priorities in the overall fiscal talks.

The Assembly version contained a brief provision deep inside of one of the thousands of pages of budget bills to create an equine screening and advanced imaging program with the intention being "to assure the public's confidence and continue the high degree of integrity in racing" at New York Thoroughbred racetracks.

Advanced imaging technology is being embraced more and more by the Thoroughbred industry across the country as important tools for veterinarians to identify and treat small problems before they become major ones in a horse.

The screenings will be overseen by a racehorse safety program at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine, according to a document accompanying the Assembly budget bill.

NYRA officials hailed the Assembly provision. "This investment would dramatically expand the availability of highly advanced imaging technology used to identify pre-existing conditions before they result in serious equine injuries,'' said NYRA vice president of communications Patrick McKenna.

NYRA says the effort will improve the diagnosis of equine health issues that may have previously gone unnoticed. McKenna said the new initiative will also lead to important research involving biomechanics and equine veterinary care.

"NYRA has embraced a wide variety of equine safety enhancements rooted in science and technology and we strongly support this initiative,'' McKenna said of the plan approved by the Assembly Thursday afternoon.

The bill calls for NYRA to make a one-time capital grant of $2 million to purchase equipment for the Cornell facility. The equipment has not yet been selected, pending budget decisions in Albany, but could include positron emission tomography and computerized tomography scanners for the Elmont, N.Y., equine hospital.

Annual operating expenses estimated at $1.8 million when fully up and running will be funded by higher taxes on the more successful, out-of-state advance-deposit wagering companies, which the Assembly defines as "multi-jurisdictional account wagering providers that are not controlled by an entity otherwise licensed or franchised in this state to conduct pari-mutuel wagering." Those companies that had wagers from New York residents totaling more than $15 million each month in 2023 will pay the higher assessment.

The legislation states that the imaging and other services the program will offer will be made available to New York horsemen "at reasonable costs" and that data or educational materials generated from the program are shared with the state gaming commission and some industry stakeholders.

A veteran Senate Democrat said the Assembly-approved provision is expected to be strongly considered by his colleagues during budget talks. "I support it. I'm hopeful it's in the final (budget) bill. It does help improve equine care,'' said Sen. Joseph Addabbo, a Queens Democrat and chairman of the Senate racing, gaming and wagering committee. He added the idea is something backed by the state gaming commission.