ALBUQUERQUE, NM—FEBRUARY 8, 2016—Due to the Equine Herpes Virus-1 outbreak in the southwest, The Downs at Albuquerque will not allow any horses to enter its barn area, effective immediately.

“There are approximately 200 horses stabled in our barn area at this time,” said Downs at Albuquerque director of racing Don Cook. “We will allow horses to leave our barn area, but we will not allow horses to re-enter the barn area.

"No horses, whether they have been previously stabled at The Downs or not, will be allowed to enter," he added. "We will notify all parties once we reopen the gates."

The Downs at Albuquerque’s 60-day Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse meet runs June 25-September 25. However, the track is open year-round as a training center for northern New Mexico horsemen.