Health Alert at Saratoga: Strangles Case Confirmed, Barn Placed Under Quarantine

A 2-Year-Old Trained by Jeremiah Englehart Tests Positive; Three More Show Fever as Biosecurity Tightens Around Barn 85

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) have placed Barn 85 at Saratoga Race Course under a 14-day precautionary quarantine, effective immediately and until further notice, following the confirmation of a positive case of strangles (equine distemper) within the facility.

Strangles is a contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the respiratory system of horses, with symptoms resembling strep throat in humans. When diagnosed and treated promptly, the condition is rarely life-threatening, and affected horses generally make a full recovery.

Barn 85 houses horses trained by Jeremiah Englehart and Jorge Abreu. The confirmed case involves a 2-year-old colt trained by Englehart, Tranquil Sea, who was transported Wednesday to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital after showing signs of respiratory distress. Multiple tests were performed, and on Friday morning, the colt tested positive for strangles. He began treatment immediately and remains under care at the hospital.

Upon notification from the New York State Department of Agriculture, NYRA and the NYSGC enacted standard infectious disease protocols: access to Barn 85 was restricted, 24-hour security was installed, twice-daily temperature checks were mandated for all horses housed in the barn, and biosecurity measures were implemented for all personnel entering the premises.

The quarantine is being overseen by Dr. Sarah Hinchliffe, director of NYRA’s Veterinary Department, in consultation with the NYSGC.

Jorge Abreu maintains stalls in both Barns 85 and 86. Only the horses stabled in Barn 85 are affected by the quarantine. Those in Barn 86 remain free to train and race with the general horse population.

During the initial quarantine period, no affected horses will be allowed to race or train during regular hours. Horses without symptoms or fever may be allowed to train in isolation, after 10 a.m. on the Oklahoma training track.

As of Friday morning, three additional horses at Barn 85 presented with fevers and will be removed from the grounds for further testing and observation.

NYRA stated it will provide updates on the situation as deemed necessary.