A New York task force has recommended a percentage of revenue from video lottery terminals (VLT) and purse accounts go toward retraining and retirement programs for racehorses in that state.

The New York State Task Force on Retired Racehorses was created by the state legislature to identify productive uses for retired racehorses and increase the number available for such uses. The task force also was charged with finding "new and innovative methods that can utilize private and public funding sources to place retired racehorses," according to a report released Dec. 23.

Based on industry statistics, the task force estimates a 39% attrition rate of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in New York each year.

The task force recommends that all New York racetracks and Resorts World Casino New York City at Aqueduct give one-half of 1% of VLT commissions to retirement efforts. Based on 2010 commissions and projections at the Aqueduct VLT casino, the percentage could produce more than $3.1 million a year, the task force report said

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