EL PASO, Texas (AP) €” A horse racing track near the border of New Mexico and Texas has been shut down for at least two weeks to prevent the spread of a disease.

The El Paso Times reports (http://bit.ly/1nMY0LG ) that live racing at the Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in Sunland Park, New Mexico, was suspended Friday after five horses were found to have the equine herpesvirus.

Trainer Justin Evans says it's been a difficult situation because there's no money coming in from purses, but the most important thing is to keep the horses safe and secure.

The average purse payout per racing day at the track ranges from $200,000 to $250,000.

Even the Sunland Derby, a March race used to prep horses for the Kentucky Derby, could be in jeopardy if the disease doesn't clear up.

 

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