Ruidoso Downs Lifts 14-Day Equine Herpes Quarantine

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. (AP) — Ruidoso Downs has lifted its 14-day equine herpes quarantine of one barn after a horse was euthanized for the virus. Officials said last week there have been no positive tests in that barn or any other stable at Ruidoso Downs since and racing has not been affected. The horse was euthanized June 18. The New Mexico Livestock Board and New Mexico Racing Commission worked with Ruidoso Downs officials to ensure a horse-specific virus is limited to one racehorse. Ruidoso Downs' racing integrity liaison Dennis Monroe says the quick response was a key factor to eliminate this individual case from spreading. An EHV-1 outbreak in January led officials to shut down racing for several weeks at Sunland Park and quarantine at the track near the New Mexico-Texas border.