'Hold Order' lifted at Bowie

'Hold Order' lifted at Bowie

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has lifted the "Investigational Animal Hold Order"

on Barn 7 and the isolated barn on the

grandstand side of the Bowie Training Center after follow-up testing on the

initial nasal swab samples sent to the University of Kentucky proved

negative for the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).

Blood samples taken on Tuesday morning, after a horse showed signs of the

virus, were also negative for EHV-1.

"We followed the appropriate procedures and we are obviously relieved with

the outcome," Maryland Jockey Club President and General Manager Chris

Dragone said. "We are pleased that the system worked and that everybody worked

together so well."

The Department of Agriculture field veterinarian handling the case inspected

the barn in question Friday morning and reported no signs of the virus in

any of the 18 horses currently stabled in Barn 7 or in the suspected horse.

The private veterinarian for trainer Robbie Bailes had been taking

temperatures and monitoring all the horses this week and found no

abnormalities.

"We were happy with the process," said Dr. David Zipf, Maryland Racing Commission

veterinarian. "The trainer was very receptive and

cooperative. Because we know the virus is out there and we have learned that

most of the outbreaks happen during the winter, we are better prepared than ever

to identify the virus and respond quickly."