Indiana Downs cancels Thursday

Indiana Downs cancelled racing Thursday, citing safety concerns stepping from two possible cases of strangles in horses stabled in its receiving barn.

The horses were immediately removed from the grounds and transported to Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana for quarantine and observation, the track said in a press release distributed Thursday evening.

Other horses in the barn have been examined and none have shown symptoms of strangles, the release said. All horses stabled in the barn are being tested as an added precaution. The barn was then quarantined, according to the release.

"Our concern is for our equine athletes," noted Jon Schuster, General Manager of Indiana Downs. "The horses and their safety have been considered in every decision that has been made and will continue to be our primary concern."

In extreme instances, strangles can be fatal, but its more common effects are fever, runny noses, and swollen glands. Several horses were afflicted with strangles earlier this year at the Churchill Downs Trackside training facility, and later at Palm Meadows training center in Florida.

Indiana Downs management hopes to resume live racing Friday.