Northfield releases Strangles statement

The following statement from Northfield Park director of racing Gregg Keidel addresses concerns and rumors regarding the Strangles outbreak at the track:

“Northfield Park has had no new cases of Strangles for 2 1/2 weeks. Three separate veterinarians have advised us that the incubation period for the disease is no longer than three weeks. With the frigid weather in Northeast Ohio this week, we do not expect any new cases to surface. Based on this information, we believe the situation has been successfully contained and will soon be behind us altogether.

“The seven horses who did test positive by culture will remain in barrier isolation until they are completely cured and test negative. All nearby horses that have been quarantined in their stalls as a precaution will be released to race, or come and go as they please, on Friday, Feb. 15, provided no new cases are reported before then.

“We wish to thank Dr. Phoebe Smith of The Ohio State University and Drs. Dan Wilson and Scott Shell, who practice on our backstretch, for their expert advice and diligence in helping us to work through this difficult situation successfully.”

Gregg Keidel

Director of Racing

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