Herpes positive at San Luis Rey Downs thought to be isolated incident
ARCADIA, Calif. – A horse based at San Luis Rey Downs with trainer Adam Kitchingman was recently found to have the equine herpesvirus, and racing officials are not allowing Kitchingman’s horses to ship into Santa Anita.
The horse who tested positive and whom the trainer declined to identify was placed in isolation, according to Rick Arthur, California’s equine medical director. He said the horse was found to have the non-neurological strain of herpes, a milder strain, and he was optimistic there would be no additional cases at San Luis Rey Downs, a training center in northern San Diego County.
“There is no evidence of any other horses being affected,” he said. “Everyone at San Luis Rey Downs is aware of the situation.”
Arthur said Kitchingman’s horses may be allowed to ship this week if the situation improves.
As a result of the herpes positive, the Kitchingman-trained Chief Hosa was scratched from an optional claimer at Santa Anita on Friday, and Red Lightning was withdrawn from a maiden race on Saturday.
Kitchingman said on Sunday that the horse diagnosed with herpes no longer has an elevated temperature.