Quarantine is lifted at Saratoga barn after negative strangles tests

The New York Racing Association said the precautionary quarantine of barn 28 at Saratoga has been lifted by the New York State Department of Agriculture effective immediately.

As a result, all horses stabled in barns 28 once again are permitted to enter races, as of Wednesday and to train with the general horse population beginning Thursday.

Barn 28, which contains horses under the care of trainer Mike Maker and Mark Casse, was placed under a precautionary quarantine on Saturday, July 19, when a Maker-trained 4-year-old filly, Surprenant Cocca, presented symptoms of strangles and was transferred offsite to be tested for a number of potential ailments.

Three subsequent PCR tests and a subsequent culture all returned negative for strangles. Furthermore, no additional symptomatic horses were identified during the precautionary quarantine period.

Casse's horses in the barn included La Cara, who was scratched from the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday as a result.