First Thoroughbred Track or Training Center in North America to Have Standing MRI

BOYNTON BEACH, FL - Palm Meadows, the satellite training center of Gulfstream Park and state-of-the-art facility conceived and designed by Frank Stronach, has become the first Thoroughbred racetrack or training center in North America to have a standing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit.

The standing MRI at Palm Meadows is the result of a cooperative relationship between Gulfstream Park and John Peloso, DVM, senior owner of Equine Medical Center of Ocala. The standing MRI is manufactured by Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging, Ltd, in Surrey in the United Kingdom. Hallmarq manufactures the only MRI system that allows scans of the equine foot and lower limb to be done in a standing position without general anesthesia.

"I believe this is a comment on Mr. Stronach's commitment to improving safety both for the horse and the jockey and the integrity of the sport," Peloso said. "The standing MRI has been used successfully in Newmarket, Dubai, Hong Kong and Japan to identify the early warning signs of fetlock fracture in the Thoroughbred racehorse."

P.J. Campo, Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group, said: "We're pleased to have partnered with the Equine Medical Center of Ocala and John Peloso. We're committed to improving the health and safety of the horse, those who work with them, and preventing injuries before they occur."