The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) has stepped up its fight against the equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) with a quarantine of the entire Pimlico Race Course stable area, but some trainers worry the move may have come too late.

“I don’t know how much relief I feel,” said Laurel-based trainer Dale Capuano. “My thought is, ‘It’s about time.'”

EHV-1 first appeared at Pimlico on Jan. 2 and resulted in the death of News Reporter, a 5-year-old Thoroughbred gelding in Barn 5 on the backside of the racetrack. Since then, another horse has been euthanatized, eight others have tested positive for the virus, and still another horse, a quarter-mile away in Barn A on the frontstretch, appears to have the virus. Test results are due back this week.

“Pimlico is closed until further notice,” said MJC chief operating officer Lou Raffetto. “This is a precautionary measure. It is in our best interest to restrict the movement in and out of Pimlico until we know if the last horse that got sick in Barn A has the disease. If it is not positive, we’ll re-evaluate