Parimutuels

Negative results put fears of illness to rest

By DON JENSEN
Published April 9, 2005

OLDSMAR - Three horses at Tampa Bay Downs suspected of having a highly contagious and dangerous disease have tested negative.

The track announced April 1 that the horses had tested positive through an antibody test that showed an indicator of strangles, a bacterial infection that usually results in fever, nasal discharge and swelling of the lymph nodes.

Subsequently, the horses were given a culture and PCR test, a more accurate combination that can detect the presence of the organism that causes strangles. They passed, as have about 100 horses and pony horses at Tampa Bay Downs. The track has received negative test results on all but about 10 horses. It expects those results today.

"This is really good news," Downs spokeswoman Margo Flynn said.

The original three horses are from the stable of trainer Ronnie Allen, the Daily Racing Form reported. The infected horses were isolated and the barn placed under quarantine. Trainers Lori Smock, tied with Allen at sixth in the standings with 15 wins, and Bill Moran also have horses in that barn. The three will not be able to enter horses until all test results are back.

"The track is doing a good job with everything," said Bob Jeffries, president of the local chapter of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. "It has taken a lot of precautions like cleaning the starting gate between races and having the valets and gate crew wash their hands after working with each horse."

Dr. William Owens said the three horses "did not present the classic signs (of strangles), but an ongoing fever prompted me to test for the infection."

[Last modified April 9, 2005, 07:10:29]