Churchill Downs: Injured veterinarian Bramlage to remain in hospital for observation

Dr. Larry Bramlage, the equine orthopedic surgeon who was injured in a fall on Thursday on the Churchill Downs backside, will remain in the hospital on Friday for “continued observation,” according to Dr. Mary Scollay, a colleague of Bramlage and the equine medical director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Because of the injury, Dr. Scollay will fill in for Bramlage as the spokesperson for the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ “On Call” program on the Oaks and Derby broadcasts on Friday and Saturday, she said. The “On Call” program provides veterinary officials to television productions to discuss any injuries or other veterinary issues of horses that are running in live races during the broadcasts.

Bramlage, one of the most respected and well-known veterinarians in the equine industry, suffered a head injury on Thursday afternoon after being thrown from the back of a golf cart making its way through the Churchill Downs stable area. He briefly lost consciousness, according to officials, but was alert when transported to the hospital.

Dr. Scollay said that Bramlage was “stable and comfortable” on Friday morning but that doctors wanted him to remain in the hospital to make sure there were no complications from the injury.

“They also didn’t want him walking out of the hospital and being on his feet for 14 straight hours,” she said.