Pacer at White Birch under quarantine after bit by rabid raccoon

Master Hotspur, a 3-year-old gelding pacer stabled at White Birch Farm in New Jersey has been placed under quarantine after he was bitten Wednesday morning by a rabid raccoon. The horse was in a field at White Birch at about 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday when it walked up to the raccoon and subsequently was bit on his nose.

The adult female raccoon was captured and euthanized, and tested positive for rabies at a laboratory in Trenton. Master Hotspur, who was winless in 11 career starts this year and last raced Dec. 20 at Harrah’s Chester, will remain under quarantine for 45 days, although that time span could increase to up to six months if conditions warrant.

"He'll be a danger to nobody but my checkbook," Master Hotspur’s trainer-owner, Gary Machiz, told the Asbury Park Press. "(But) we're not going to worry about cost."

Machiz told the newspaper that Master Hotspur was inoculated for rabies on July 1, which should provide the horse protection for one year.

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