Ind. track lifts month-long horse quarantine

ANDERSON, Ind. -- The Hoosier Park racetrack has lifted a quarantine put in place after two thoroughbreds tested positive for a contagious infection that can kill horses in some cases.

Hoosier Park officials say the 54 horses that were placed in quarantine Sept. 12 have all been moved off the grounds of the central Indiana track. The quarantine started after one thoroughbred at the stable began exhibiting signs of equine strangles, a bacterial disease common in horses that can be life-threatening.

Racing manager Jeffrey Smith says no other horses have shown signs of the disease. Smith says the quarantined barn is being disinfected and won't be used again this season.

Officials says they've had no problems in any of the track's other 16 barns, where about 1,000 horses are housed.