New York State Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini today announced that the Board approved a request from Saratoga Raceway to cancel live racing until April 11, 2012 in the wake of several horses at the track being diagnosed with Strangles, a highly contagious, non-lethal equine bacterial infection.

Management at Saratoga Harness Racing, Inc. has agreed to make up all missed race dates at a later date.

The Racing and Wagering Board became aware of the incidents of Strangles on March 22. Personnel from the Board, including Dr. George Maylin, DVM, of the Board’s equine lab at Morrisville College, immediately began monitoring the issue. After receiving the request to cancel live racing until April 11, the Board consulted with track management, the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association and Dr. David Smith, State Veterinarian and Director of Animal Industry at the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Based upon these consultations, which confirmed the risk to which racehorses at the track have been exposed, the Board approved the cancellation request. The Board will continue to review developments at the track to ensure that any risk of further infection is eradicated.

No horses have died from the outbreak and Strangles is not considered a life-threatening illness.

(New York State Racing and Wagering Board)