by David Grening

The quarantine of Barn 15 at Belmont Park is due to expire Saturday [Feb. 24], two days earlier than previously announced, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York Racing Association said Sunday.

The quarantine was originally put in place on Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. after the unraced filly Cute Curls was euthanized after showing acute neurological symptoms of equine herpesvirus. Further tests conducted at Cornell University confirmed a positive test for EHV.

On Feb. 5, a horse stabled in the same barn developed a temperature but tests showed that horse was negative for EHV. At the time that horse developed the fever, it was announced the quarantine had been extended to Feb. 26.

“Upon review of the circumstances, NYSAM will allow the quarantine to expire 21 days from the positive case of EHV,” NYRA said in a statement.

During the quarantine period horses stabled in Barn 15 were not permitted to enter races or train with the general horse population. Those horses were allowed to train at a special time following regular training hours.

Provided all horses in that barn remain asymptomatic through this week, those horses will be able to train with the general population beginning Feb. 25. They will be allowed to enter races beginning Feb. 28, when entries are taken for the March 2 card.