Golden Gate locks down backstretch after horse dies and tests positive for equine herpesvirus

Horses are not being allowed to ship in or out of Golden Gate Fields in Northern California due to the death of a horse this weekend that tested positive for the highly contagious disease equine herpesvirus, according to state officials.

The measure has been put in place while officials with the California Department of Food and Agriculture conduct a “biosecurity evaluation,” according to officials with the California Horse Racing Board. That evaluation includes the confirmation of the test that indicated the horse had been exposed to the neurotrophic strain of equine herpesvirus.

“Horsemen have been notified and precautionary steps are being taken,” a statement from the CHRB said.

A positive test for equine herpesvirus typically leads to a quarantine of the barn where the horse is stalled.

The horse who died has not been identified, but Blaine Wright, a trainer based at Golden Gate, said on Tuesday that he trained the horse. Wright is also the trainer of Anothertwistafate, the 3-year-old colt who finished second in the Sunland Park Derby on Sunday after shipping in from Golden Gate.

Wright said that Anothertwistafate remains at Sunland Park and will stay there until the situation at Golden Gate is clarified. Anothertwistafate is not being allowed to ship into Santa Anita Park in Southern California due to his connection to the horse that died.

“He’ll stay at Sunland until further notice,” Wright said. When asked if he had any backup plans for training the horse, Wright said, “We’re going through that whole process right now, and we’ll make our plans as we find out more.”

Anothertwistafate is undefeated in three starts over the artificial surface at Golden Gate Fields, including a win in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 16. The Sunland Park Derby was his second start on a dirt track.

--additional reporting by Jay Privman