The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) placed a quarantine on Pimlico Race Course effective after racing ended on Jan. 21 until further notice because of the neurologic equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) situation at the Baltimore track.

Since the new year, 11 horses have shown clinical signs of the virus, causing the Maryland Department of Agriculture to place an investigational animal hold order on three barns. Two horses were euthanatized and tested positive for the virus. Eight horses from Barns 5 and 6 are currently in isolation in the Detention Barn. A ninth showed signs of the virus Thursday morning (Jan. 19) in Barn A. The EHV-1 organism can cause three different forms of disease, including rhinopneumonitis (“rhino,” a respiratory disease often affecting young horses), abortions in pregnant mares, and neurologic disease.

“This is a precautionary measure,” said Lou Raffetto, MJC chief operating officer. “It is in our best interest to restrict the movement in and out of Pimlico until we see the outcome of the tests on the horse in Barn A.”

Nearly 500 horses are currently stabled at Pimlico, including nearly 110 affected by the hold orders. Horses from Barns A, 5, and 6 will continue to train from 10-11:30 a.m. The other horses based at Pimlico train from 5:30-9:30 a.m