Horse racing group donates $25K to Cornell

Ithaca Journal - Ithaca,NY,USA


ITHACA — A $25,000 unrestricted gift to Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine from Plainfield Asset Management, LLC, of Greenwich, Conn., will be used for equine education and research.


Plainfield has investments in Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, both New York horse racing facilities, is the principal investor in Capital Play, one of the bidders for the video lottery terminal at Aqueduct Race Track and has other horse racing and gaming interests globally.

“The College’s equine research and clinical programs offer cutting edge advances in equine health, including regenerative medicine, reproduction, genetics, and orthopedics,” Michael Kotlikoff, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine, said in a press release. “With few sources of extramural research support, equine sports medicine relies heavily on the generosity of the racing community. We are extraordinarily grateful for the unrestricted gift in support of equine research from Plainfield Asset Management.”

The College of Veterinary Medicine will use the gift to support Cornell’s equine Clinical Fellowship, held by Dr. Sophy Jesty. The two-year Clinical Fellows Program — launched this month — is the first in the country to address a growing shortage of academic veterinarians who conduct research on animal diseases, the statement said. The program has an estimated of $220,000 per student.

“The gift, which we understand will help to train the next generation of equine researchers and educators, is an investment in a bright and viable future — for education, for the horseracing industry, and for the state’s economy,” Harold Levy, managing director — special counsel for Plainfield Asset Management, said in the press release.