A case of strangles was confirmed in Drew Bromac N, a horse stabled at Saratoga Raceway, on Saturday, May 9. Many tracks have since banned horses that were recently at the New York state racetrack.
According to a report provided by Saratoga director of racing operations John Matarazzo, Drew Bromac N was being treated for an unrelated condition by Dr. Kurt Lutchens when he noticed that the horse had a swollen lymph node. A sample of fluid taken from the node tested positive for streptococcus equi.
The horse, part of trainer John Podres Jr.’s stable, was removed to a nearby veterinary clinic for treatment. Matarazzo said Podres’ stable was placed under quarantine and the staff began disinfecting all equipment and surfaces.
“All the horses stabled with him were inoculated and quarantined,” he said. “The report said it is a lymphatic, not a respiratory issue, so it is not as contagious.
“This is something we are monitoring hourly. Once we get new info we’ll release it. Right now we’re operating under the premise that everybody is doing everything they can.”
Matarazzo said that no other cases of strangles have been found. The other horses in Podres’ care will be given a nasal swab every two days to determine if there are any other cases.
In one week Drew Bromac N will be given two separate PCR tests to determine if he can be allowed back on the grounds.
Matarazzo added that Rockingham Park, which opens June 6, had sent a letter declaring that they would not accept entries shipped in from Saratoga. Plainridge Racecourse has since followed suit and announced that it will not accept entries of horses that have started at Saratoga since May 3, 2009. Yonkers Raceway also announced that it will not accept entries of horses that have raced at Saratoga from April 10 forward.
According to a University of Maine fact sheet, strangles is a highly contagious respiratory disease with an incubation period of 3-21 days. Symptoms of the disease include swollen lymph nodes and difficulty breathing.
(With files from the United States Trotting Association)