Dominguez Notches 4,000th Career Victory at Big A

 
By NYRA Communications | March 19, 2010 Email Bookmark and Share

Ramon Dominguez, the leading rider on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) circuit, reached another milestone Friday afternoon at Aqueduct Racetrack when he won the second race aboard Fortyninegeorgest. for his 4,000th career victory.

The 33-year-old rider is the 58th jockey in history to achieve that milestone.

"It feels great, but it's almost surreal,” said Dominguez. “It's the kind of thing that happens slowly over the years, but you're not prepared for it when it gets here. I'm so excited. You remember the big races, but every win counts just at much. I have great support in New York and thanks to my agent and everyone who supports me here."

Dominguez, who began riding year-round in New York in 2009, began Wednesday leading the nation in wins with 88 winners of more than $2.5 million.

Dominguez, who swept every NYRA meet last year, currently holds a sizable margin over David Cohen for Aqueduct’s Inner Track Meet, which began on December 2 and runs through March 27.

Last year on the NYRA circuit of Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, Dominguez rode 376 winners, second only to Steve Cauthen’s record 433 wins in 1977, riding five winners on a single card on two occasions, four winners nine times, and three winners a remarkable 43 times.

He also won more than 30 NYRA stakes including the Grade 1 Man o'War aboard Gio Ponti, whom he is scheduled to ride in the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 27.

With a record of 376-268-233 from 1,560 starters in New York in 2009, Dominguez won with more than 24 percent of his mounts, which earned $15,338,310.

Nationally, he ranked second in wins behind Russell Baze (415-391) and third in total purse earnings with $18,340,422 behind Garrett Gomez ($18,571,171) and Julien Leparoux ($18,560,565).

PHOTO INFORMATION

Dominguez 4,000th Group: Dominguez is pictured with the Aqueduct jockey colony, jockey's room staff, and family members.

Dominguez 4,000th Win: Jockey Ramon Dominguez pilots Fortyninegeorgest to victory for his 4,000th career win. Fortyninegeorgest is owned by Bruce Golden and trained by Chip Dutrow.

Dominguez 4,000th Family: Pictured left to right: Alfredo Dominguez (brother), Belkis de Dominguez (mother), Ramon Dominguez, Sharon Dominguez (wife), and sons Alexander and Matthew.