MIAMI - Four horses who had been under quarantine at Calder Race Course have tested positive for Equine Piroplasmosis, according to a report received from the Florida state veterinarian’s office. Track officials confirmed on Saturday that all four horses have been euthanized. The four horses were trained by Giuseppe Iadisernia. Equine Piroplasmosis is a blood-based infectious disease that can be spread by ticks. Symptoms of the disease range from acute fever, lack of appetite and malaise, to anemia and jaundice, and sudden death. The state veterinarian’s office received notice earlier this month from officials in New Mexico that a Thoroughbred recently transferred to Florida from New Mexico had tested positive for Equine Piroplasmosis. That horse was euthanized several weeks ago in Ocala, Fla. That horse also was trained by Iadisernia. As a result of the follow-up investigation, Barn 76 at Calder, two barns at the adjacent training facility, and one farm in Ocala were quarantined, and 114 horses were examined for the presence of ticks and tested for EP. The disease is blood-based and can be spread by ticks. The state veterinarians office determined there was no evidence of ticks on any of the animals and believe the disease had been spread by management practices within the barn which involved the transfer of blood from the infected horse to non-infected horses. The owners of the four horses involved were given options of permanent quarantine, exporting the animals out of the country or euthanasia. All chose euthanasia. As a result of these findings, all 38 horses remaining in Barn 76 will continue to be under training and racing restrictions for a period of 30 days beginning on Sept. 25. In addition, all 78 horses stabled at the adjacent training center are forbidden to either train at Calder or be entered to race for the same 30-day period.