Short Fields

[trackrat]

Northfield has only eleven (11) races scheduled for tonight (Tuesday) and fifteen for Wednesday night, all with short fields. There are no nine-horse fields on either nights and Wednesday has five 8-horse fields, nine 7 horse fields and one race with six horses entered.

Explanation sweeping through the five patrons in the clubhouse restaurant last night: "strangles."

Comments Keith?

[thegiss]

The few confirmed cases of strangles (6-7) we have had are a contribuitng factor, but we saw this comiong even before that. Some local horses are quarantined and some horsemen are concerned about shippijng in, since if they race here, other tracks (Mea and Buff) will not take them (for now at least). The situation is well contained right now and we appear to be over the worst of it.

The decision to drop the two Tuesdays this month was made before any cases of strangles were on the horizon.

We should be back to 9 horse fields and 13 (or 16 race) cards starting next week with a four-day schedule.

[poohollar]

1-There are of course a handful of confirmed (with cultures) cases of strangles but this winter there is also a very nasty run-of-the-mill virus going around. There are not too many barns not effected. (including my little money maker Passin Lane Penny who came down with 104 fever last night)

2-I might also add.......the five night a week schedule takes a toll. Many of our horses which could handle racing a couple times a week in November and December are now just plain pooped and sore.

3-When the weather really sets in, so do the ship-ins. Most all ship-ins are at fairgrounds and farms where they are also concentrating on babies. With days like today it is easier to concentrate on those babies than worry about shipping up and down the road.

I hope this clears up a few questions.

[thegiss]

Friday we have 13 races, all 8s, 1-9 and 1-7. Saturday may be similar, and we anticipate pretty much all 9s starting Monday.

Also, of interest:
Strangles Controlled at Northfield Park

Northfield, OH- 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 2½ 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, February 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.”