Saratoga Barn Quarantined Due to Suspected Strangles

The New York Racing Association and the New York State Gaming Commission have placed a group of horses located in barn 28 on the main track side of Saratoga Race Course under quarantine due to a suspected case of strangles. Strangles is a contagious bacterial infection that generally affects a horse's respiratory system and causes symptoms similar to those of strep throat in humans. When properly diagnosed and treated, strangles is not considered a life-threatening infection and horses typically recover fully. Complications can occur, however. According to the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the bacteria cross mucous membranes in the nose and mouth of horses to infect lymph nodes. The infected lymph nodes become swollen, which can compress the upper respiratory tract (hence the name strangles). A 4-year-old filly named Surprenant Cocca, trained by Mike Maker and stabled in barn 28, presented symptoms early July 19 and has been transported off-site for additional testing. Barn 28, which also houses some horses trained by Mark Casse, will be placed under quarantine until test results are received and additional guidance is provided. Casse-trained horses stabled in barn 28 were scratched from Saturday's Saratoga card as a result of the precautionary quarantine. They included La Cara from the Coaching Club American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1) and Our Magical Moon, who had been set to debut in the seventh race. The Casse-trained Get Smokin was also scratched from Saturday's United Nations Stakes (G2T) at Monmouth Park as a result of the quarantine, according to a social media post from the horse's owners. Horses in barn 28 will not be permitted to enter races or train among the general horse population at this time. NYRA and the NYSGC implemented standard infectious disease protocols, including restricting access to the horses in the affected barns, establishing a 24-hour security watch, mandating regular temperature checks for the horses in that barn, and enacting biosecurity measures for all individuals requiring access to barn 28. Beyond the quarantine protocols currently in place, NYRA has enacted no additional restrictions over shipping horses in and out of Saratoga. Other tracks or state health officials may elect to impose restrictions on shippers from Saratoga to reduce the chance of the disease spreading. The latest finding is one of several cases of strangles reported this spring and summer in New York between Saratoga and Belmont Park.