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Outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Forces Euthanization of Three Horses
By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports
BALTIMORE (Jan. 31) - The home of the Preakness Stakes is eerily quiet this week, the result of a quarantine that has raised questions whether troubled Pimlico Race Course can regroup in time to host the middle leg of the U.S. thoroughbred Triple Crown in May.
An outbreak of equine herpesvirus at the 136-year-old track forced three horses to be euthanized and led several states to ban the shipment of horses into or from the state of Maryland along the eastern seaboard. Although a horse was linked to the virus Tuesday at nearby Laurel Park, there have been no new cases at Pimlico since Jan. 19 and the track intends to lift the self-imposed quarantine next Wednesday.
But can Pimlico ultimately replace the cautionary yellow tape currently surrounding several barns with the bright yellow flowers known as Black-eyed Susans that symbolize the Preakness?
"I have no concern about that whatsoever," Lou Raffetto, chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club, said Tuesday. "Given the nature of this virus, I don't think this will be an issue by the time we start the spring meet in April."
The virus, known as EHV-1, often produces respiratory problems and fever, and it can cause pregnant mares to abort their fetuses. The most severe version attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis.
Fortunately for Pimlico, equine herpesvirus usually runs its course in a month to six weeks, according to Dr. George Allen of The University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center.
"It would be unlikely that what's going on now at Pimlico would extend into the spring racing season," said Allen, who has made a career out of researching the disease.
Trainer Bob Baffert, who has saddled four winners in the Preakness, expects Pimlico to have a clean bill of health well before the 131st running of the race on May 20.
Asked if he would be concerned about bringing a horse to Baltimore for the Preakness, Baffert replied, "No, not at all. Once the weather warms up I don't think this is going to be a problem. I think a lot of these horses are susceptible because of the cold, damp weather. Their immune systems are down."
The Preakness is run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the final race in the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes in New York.
By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports
BALTIMORE (Jan. 31) - The home of the Preakness Stakes is eerily quiet this week, the result of a quarantine that has raised questions whether troubled Pimlico Race Course can regroup in time to host the middle leg of the U.S. thoroughbred Triple Crown in May.
An outbreak of equine herpesvirus at the 136-year-old track forced three horses to be euthanized and led several states to ban the shipment of horses into or from the state of Maryland along the eastern seaboard. Although a horse was linked to the virus Tuesday at nearby Laurel Park, there have been no new cases at Pimlico since Jan. 19 and the track intends to lift the self-imposed quarantine next Wednesday.
But can Pimlico ultimately replace the cautionary yellow tape currently surrounding several barns with the bright yellow flowers known as Black-eyed Susans that symbolize the Preakness?
"I have no concern about that whatsoever," Lou Raffetto, chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club, said Tuesday. "Given the nature of this virus, I don't think this will be an issue by the time we start the spring meet in April."
The virus, known as EHV-1, often produces respiratory problems and fever, and it can cause pregnant mares to abort their fetuses. The most severe version attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis.
Fortunately for Pimlico, equine herpesvirus usually runs its course in a month to six weeks, according to Dr. George Allen of The University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center.
"It would be unlikely that what's going on now at Pimlico would extend into the spring racing season," said Allen, who has made a career out of researching the disease.
Trainer Bob Baffert, who has saddled four winners in the Preakness, expects Pimlico to have a clean bill of health well before the 131st running of the race on May 20.
Asked if he would be concerned about bringing a horse to Baltimore for the Preakness, Baffert replied, "No, not at all. Once the weather warms up I don't think this is going to be a problem. I think a lot of these horses are susceptible because of the cold, damp weather. Their immune systems are down."
The Preakness is run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the final race in the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes in New York.