Jan 25, 2018 3 min read

At The Meadows

A Standardbred horse at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino tested positive yesterday for equine herpes virus, or EHV-1, making it the second confirmed case in the state this month.

The Washington County horse tested positive after it was moved to the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine for diagnostic tests. Veterinarians report that the horse is responding well to treatment.

As a precaution, two barns at the Meadows racetrack were quarantined to control any potential spread of the virus. Trainers are monitoring two of approximately 60 potentially exposed horses in the quarantined barns that presented with elevated temperatures.

No additional horses at the racetrack have shown signs of clinical illness, but the movement of horses into or out of the track has been restricted until all horses receive a clean bill of health.

Brewers acquire outfielder Yelich

Miami Marlins center fielder Christian Yelich was traded Thursday to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects, including highly regarded outfielder Lewis Brinson.

Yelich became the fourth starter traded by the Marlins as they reduce payroll and rebuild their weak farm system under new CEO Derek Jeter. The Marlins earlier dealt away major league home run champion Giancarlo Stanton, stolen base champ Dee Gordon and All-Star left fielder Marcell Ozuna.

In the wake of the earlier deals, Yelich had said he preferred to play elsewhere this year rather than be part of a Marlins rebuilding effort. He’ll make $7 million this season in the third year of a $49.57 million, seven-year contract.

Yelich batted .282 with 18 home runs and 81 RBI last year.

Miami also acquired infielder Isan Diaz, outfielder Monte Harrison and right-handed pitcher Jordan Yamamoto.

Miami hasn’t had a winning season since 2009 and went 77-85 last year. Season-ticket holders have complained about the direction of the franchise, but Jeter has said payroll and stronger farm system is the only path to sustained success.

Falcons’ food frenzy

The site of next year’s Super Bowl already is celebrating a championship for best concessions.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and MLS Atlanta United, finished first in a 2017 NFL fan survey for quality and value of food and beverages. The results released Thursday show the lowered prices, including $2 hot dogs, $3 pizza slices and $5 beer, were a big hit with fans. Those prices will remain in place for Atlanta’s Super Bowl in 2019.

The Falcons ranked 18th in surveys the last two years at the Georgia Dome before the 2017 debut season in the new $1.5 billion stadium. The lower prices led to more sales. Average spending per fan increased by 16 percent in 2017, according to the survey.

The new stadium also placed first in the MLS food and beverage survey of 12 of 22 teams.