Belmont Barn 15 put under precautionary quarantine, suspected equine herpesvirus found

Barn 15 at Belmont Park has been placed under a precautionary quarantine until further notice due to a suspected case of equine herpesvirus (EHV) in that barn, according to the New York Racing Association and the New York State Gaming Commission.

An unraced 3-year-old filly, Cute Curls, exhibited acute neurological symptoms on Saturday and was subsequently euthanized, according to NYRA. As of Saturday afternoon, no additional horses in that barn have presented symptoms.

Cute Curls is trained by Danny Gargan, one of three trainers who has horses in that barn. Jim Ryerson and Gustavo Rodriguez are the others. There are 34 horses in that barn, which was placed under quarantine at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday.

Both Gargan and Rodriguez had horses stabled in that barn ship to Aqueduct for races Saturday prior to the identification of Cute Curls as a potential EHV case, NYRA said. Those horses were permitted to race. Neither horse has presented symptoms and Society Man, who finished eighth in the Grade 3 Withers, will be transported back to Belmont in isolation. Ryan’s Cat, who won the first race, was transported back to Belmont prior to the identification of the potential EHV vase.

Samples of horses in that barn were taken to Cornell University for analysis with results expected within 48 hours.

During the initial quarantine period, horses stabled in Barn 15 will not be permitted to enter races or train among the general horse population, NYRA said in a release. Afebrile or asymptomatic horses stabled in that barn will have isolated training hours at Belmont following the close of training for the general horse population.

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