from Team Valor

Lexington, KY — A Paulick Report story about the variances from state to state in enforcement of the veterinarian’s list as a safeguard for unsound horses is the first nominee for Team Valor International’s 2016 Stan Bergstein Writing Award.

Natalie Voss’ piece is titled “Time for a Change? Veterinarian’s List No Safe Harbor For Racehorses.” It centers on an example from last January when the gelding Time For a J was on the California vet’s list, making him ineligible to race in the Golden State until his status changed, but he was allowed to race in Arizona at Turf Paradise, where he broke down and had to be euthanized.

Voss notes that only a handful of states have reciprocity in place to address the status of horses who are on vet’s lists in other states. Some racetracks have reciprocal policies of their own, but other tracks have nothing in place. Voss also examines higher rates of fatal injury for horses making their first start since coming off a vet’s list, along with higher incidence of drug positives.

The story was published on Nov. 18, a few weeks into the one-year period from Nov. 2, 2015 to Nov. 1, 2016 for eligibility for the fifth annual Stan Bergstein Writing Award. The winning prize from Team Valor and CEO Barry Irwin is $25,000.

Voss also wrote a story on drug testing in the state of New York that was a nominee for the 2015 Bergstein Award, won by Chris Wittstruck of the U.S. Trotting Association website.

Team Valor welcomes story submissions to Jeff Lowe at jeff@teamvalor.com.