The period of the quarantine of Barn 15 at Belmont has been extended by two days by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) due to another horse in that barn, Willful Desire, developing a fever. The 4-year-old filly, trained by Gustavo Rodriguez, developed a fever on Monday. Nasal swabs and blood samples were immediately sent to Cornell University for analysis, which were returned on Tuesday afternoon as negative for EHV.
In accordance with standard protocols, Barn 15 will remain under quarantine through at least Feb. 26, 21 days from Willful Desire's first symptoms.
Barn 15 was first placed into quarantine on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. when Cure Curls, trained by Danny Gargan, presented acute neurological symptoms and was subsequently euthanized. Cornell University returned a positive test result for EHV on Sunday afternoon. The quarantine procedures are overseen by Dr. Sarah Hinchliffe, the director of NYRA's veterinary department, in consultation with the NYSGC.
The 34 horses stabled in Barn 15, which is also home to stalls for Jim Ryerson along with Gargan and Rodriguez, are monitored throughout the day for fever and other signs of illness.
During the quarantine period, horses stabled in Barn 15 will not be permitted to enter races or train among the general horse population.
Afebrile/asymptomatic horses stabled in Barn 15 will continue to train in isolation from the general horse population throughout the quarantine.
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