Laurel to add seven days of racing to make up for EHV cancellations

Laurel Park has added seven days to its summer racing schedule as a make-up for the two weekends of racing that were canceled in late March due to an outbreak of equine herpesvirus at Maryland tracks.

The seven dates are all scheduled for Thursdays in June and July, running from June 3-July 15. Laurel is currently racing on a three-day live racing schedule, Friday through Sunday.

Laurel has also said that it has canceled its April 15 card and moved it to April 19, a Monday. Earlier, Laurel had moved its “spring spectacular” card from the April 17 to April 24, in order to give horses more time to prepare.

Laurel and its sister track, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, have both been under quarantine since late March. The quarantine at Laurel runs through April 17, while the quarantine at Pimlico was expected to be lifted on Monday. No horses have been allowed to ship in to the tracks during the quarantines.

A total of 26 horses at Laurel and Pimlico that tested positive for equine herpesvirus, a highly contagious disease, were moved to the Bowie training center, where they have been isolated.

Laurel’s meet runs through May 2. Racing is scheduled for 15 live racing dates at Pimlico from May 5-May 30. The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, is scheduled for May 15. Live racing will move back to Laurel on June 3.