Herpes found at Calder

MIAMI - Three barns at Calder Race Course have been placed under quarantine after a horse tested postive Monday for the equine herpesvirus, said track veterinarian Dr. Patty Marquis.

The unidentified horse, trained by Bill White, tested positive at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville. The horse had shown symptoms of neurological illness over the weekend.

Marquis said no horse can ship into Calder for two weeks; horses other than the horses in the quarantined barns can ship out. Quarantined horses cannot race for 21 days or use the starting gate for training.

Marquis said she believes Calder will allow the horses from the quarantined barns to train on the main track after the rest of the horses on dark days. On racing days, the quarantined horses will be allowed to train on the training track.

Calder officials were not available for comment late Monday afternoon, a dark day at the track.

Tampa Bay Downs on Monday said it would not accept any horses to its barn area from Calder.

White is the perennial leading trainer at Calder. Other trainers housed in the quarantined barns include Phil Combest, Vinnie Blengs, and Roger Laurin.

Racing resumes at Calder on Thursday.