Quarantine measures have been implemented at Beulah Park in Ohio with horses being tested for possible equine herpesvirus.
Beulah Park near Columbus is closed for live racing until Jan. 8 but horses stabled there regularly ship to other tracks, some of which have placed restrictions on Beulah Park shippers pending the outcome of the tests. Among them are Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, which like Beulah Park are owned by Penn National Gaming Inc.
The 2010 meet at Beulah Park ended Dec. 22. Many horses ship back and forth between Beulah Park and Turfway Park, the Northern Kentucky track that restricted shippers from the Ohio track effective Dec. 24 after rumors of sick horses surfaced.
Turfway president Bob Elliston said horses stabled at Turfway that ship to Beulah Park won't be permitted to re-enter Turfway until the situation is resolved. Turfway is open for live racing through early April.
The Ohio State Racing Commission ordered the Beulah Park quarantine measures. PNGI vice president of racing Chris McErlean said Dec. 31 tests thus far have been negative but OSRC veterinarians will make the final determination as to further action, perhaps by the weekend of Jan. 1-2.
Further details weren’t immediately available. OSRC officials couldn't be immediately reached for comment.
EHV-1, which can spread quickly through the air, can cause death in some cases. Its symptoms include fever, nasal discharge, and neurologic impairment.