by Pat McKenna
EHV-1 test of suspected case returned negative
Officials at the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) have removed the precautionary quarantine placed on Barn 37 at Belmont Park after test results for a horse with a suspected case of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) came back negative.
Freudnme, a 4-year-old colt trained by Chris Englehart, exhibited fever and neurological symptoms on Saturday morning, which triggered a precautionary quarantine of all 37 horses stabled in Barn 37 at Belmont. In addition, heightened biosecurity measures were immediately implemented throughout the barn and all horses were monitored for fever and other symptoms.
All horses in Barn 37 were found to be afebrile and asymptomatic.
Following the negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which were performed at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., the precautionary quarantine has been lifted effective immediately. As a result, horses stabled in Barn 37 can enter races and train among the general population.
Freudnme is currently under the care of a private veterinarian and is being closely monitored. He last raced at Finger Lakes Racetrack in the Ontario County Stakes on June 24, 2019, where he finished 2nd.
Mary Eddy
Douglas Scharbauer’s stakes-winning Texas homebred Closing Act will look to preserve her undefeated record for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen in Thursday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Schuylerville, a six-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies, at Saratoga Race Course.
Mary Eddy
Whisper Hill Farm’s homebred graded stakes-winner Charge It will stretch out in attempt of his second win of the year in Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Suburban, a 10-furlong main track route for older horses, at Belmont Park.
Mary Eddy
August Dawn Farm’s undefeated New York-bred Maple Leaf Mel will look to double up on graded victories while maintaining an unblemished record in Saturday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Victory Ride, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for sophomore fillies, at Belmont Park.
Ryan Martin
A wide open field of nine sophomore fillies will pursue Grade 1 glory in Saturday’s 45th running of the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational going 10 furlongs over the inner turf course at Belmont Park.
Keith McCalmont
European invaders The Foxes and Silver Knott take on formidable U.S.-based opponents Kalik and Webslinger in Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational, a 1 1/4-mile inner turf test for 3-year-olds, at Belmont Park.
Ryan Martin
Highly consistent graded stakes winners Major Dude and Nagirroc will go head-to-head against six other sophomores in Friday’s ninth running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Manila at Belmont Park.