The American Association of Equine Practitioners created the On-Call program 11 years ago to assist media in understanding injuries and treatment of horses before, during, and after upper-echelon equine events. Most of the 70 events covered by On-Call veterinarians last year were Thoroughbred races, with some Standardbred and Quarter Horse events included.

This year’s AAEP On-Call Derby team is headed by veteran Dr. Larry Bramlage, a surgery specialist with the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. He will be assisted by Dr. Celeste Kunz of New York and several support staff from the AAEP. Bramlage will be available to answer questions from the NBC anchor during all the races on Oaks and Derby Days, and Kunz will be on the backside to relay information on horses