Fourth herpes positive found at Parx

A horse was confirmed to have the equine herpesvirus Thursday at Parx Racing, bringing the total number of positive cases at the track to four. Thursday’s diagnosis restarts the 28-day quarantine clock, which now runs through May 5.

The Parx quarantine will stay in effect until 28 days pass without a horse getting ill from the virus.

All of the confirmed cases have come from Barn 30, where trainers Michael Aro and Ron Dandy are stabled. No Quid Pro Quo, trained by Aro, was the first horse to be confirmed to have the herpesvirus, on April 1. Monkey Hill (Aro) tested positive Tuesday, Salute to Bob (Dandy) was confirmed to have the virus Wednesday, and Surprise Storm (Dandy) tested positive Thursday.

Surprise Storm, 9, is a $5,000 claimer who has made 68 starts.

No Quid Pro Quo and Salute to Bob have died. Monkey Hill has been moved off site to a farm where she is in isolation.

The equine herpesvirus is a contagious disease that can cause respiratory and neurological problems in horses.

Barn 4 also has been quarantined because trainer Butch Reid claimed Sunshine Wild from Dandy on March 29, the day before No Quid Pro Quo became ill.

Horses in the quarantined barns are not allowed to race or train.