Dominguez Remains Hospitalized With Skull Fracture

Jockey Ramon Dominguez was diagnosed with a slightly displaced skull fracture as a result of a spill on Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack, his agent, Steve Rushing, confirmed Saturday morning. Rushing said the 36-year-old rider was to undergo further tests today at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

“I just got off the phone with Sharon Dominguez [Ramon’s wife], and he’s doing better this morning,” Rushing said. “It’s a slightly displaced skull fracture, and he’s going to have more tests today, but the doctors are optimistic he’ll make a full recovery.”

The two-time reigning Eclipse Award winner for outstanding jockey, Dominguez was unseated during the running of Friday’s seventh race, when his mount, Convocation, appeared to clip heels with the eventual winner, Sovereign Default. Convocation, who stumbled and fell, did not appear to be seriously injured in the incident and was walked off the track.

A native of Venezuela, Dominguez led all riders on the NYRA circuit in 2012 with 322 victories and led the nation in earnings with $25.6 million. He is a finalist to receive his third consecutive Eclipse Award in a ceremony that will take place at Gulfstream Park this evening. At the conclusion of Friday’s card, Dominguez was second in the inner track jockey standings with 31 victories to apprentice Jose Ortiz’s 34 wins.