Update on Barn 86 at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna

As announced previously, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) placed Barn 86 at Saratoga Race Course under a precautionary quarantine on Thursday, July 15 due to a positive case of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in that barn.

The unnamed, unraced filly, who is trained by Jorge Abreu, was sent to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on Sunday, July 11, after developing a fever. She was then tested for a number of potential ailments, and a positive test for EHV-1 was returned on Thursday, July 15.

Subsequently, the New York State Veterinarian and New York State Equine Medical Director implemented a 21-day quarantine of Barn 86 retroactive to Sunday, July 11. Should there be no additional cases in Barn 86, the quarantine will be lifted on August 1. 

The filly began treatment immediately at Rood & Riddle under the care of Dr. Luis Castro. As her condition continued to improve, she was sent to a private farm in Saratoga County on Friday, July 16, where she is currently recovering under veterinary supervision.

The 46 horses stabled in Barn 86, which is home to stalls for Abreu and trainer Kenny McPeek, will continue to be monitored daily for fever and other signs of illness. As of Tuesday, July 20, no horses in Barn 86 have developed a fever or displayed any symptoms of the illness.

During the length of the quarantine period, horses stabled in Barn 86 will not be permitted to enter races or train among the general horse population.

Horses stabled in Barn 86 will have isolated training hours at the Oklahoma Training Track from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. following the conclusion of training for the general horse population.

Overseen by Dr. Anthony Verderosa, the director of NYRA's veterinary department, in consultation with the NYSGC, the quarantine of Barn 86 includes standard safety precautions and biosecurity measures to mitigate risk and prevent further spread of EHV-1.