by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway

Harrington, DE — Harrington Raceway announced Friday that the Delaware Harness Racing Commission has declared horses that raced, trained or stabled at Rockingham Park after June 1, 2008, ineligible to race in Delaware until further notice.

The directive came from DHRC Executive Director Hugh Gallagher, in light of the recent strangles outbreak and similar quarantines in other jurisdictions.

Strangles is an infectious disease of horses, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi and characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane and abscesses under the jaw and around the throat that cause a strangling or choking sensation.

Racing resumes at Harrington on August 10 on a Sunday through Thursday schedule.