Quarantine lifted on Belmont barn after negative test

ELMONT, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association and the New York State Gaming Commission have lifted a precautionary quarantine placed on Barn 37 at Belmont Park after tests on a horse suspected of having a case equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) tested negative for the disease, it was announced Sunday.

Freudnme, a 4-year-old colt trained by Chris Englehart, on Saturday morning exhibited fever and neurological symptoms which triggered a precautionary quarantine of Barn 37, which houses 35 horses trained by Englehart and two by Daniel Laxmeter. All horses in those barns were monitored for fever and other symptoms, but all have been found to be afebrile and asymptomatic.

Following the negative polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) tests, which were performed at Cornell University, the precautionary quarantine was lifted, effective immediately. Horses in Barn 37 may now train with the general population and may be entered in races. Englehart had two horses scratched out of races at Belmont on both Saturday and Sunday.

Freudnme, who hasn’t run since finishing second in the Ontario County Stakes at Finger Lakes on June 24, 2019, is currently under the care of a private veterinarian and is being closely monitored.