Ramon Dominguez put the finishing touches on another superlative tour of The
New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit by piloting four winners at Aqueduct
on New Year’s Eve, bringing his total NYRA victories for 2010 to 353, nearly
twice as many as runner-up David Cohen (180). It was the second straight NYRA
riding title for Dominguez, who moved his tack to New York on a full-time basis
in 2009, and included individual titles for the Big A’s inner track, spring and
fall meets as well as Belmont Park’s spring/summer and fall meets.
Additionally, Dominguez led the nation’s riders in earnings for the first
time, with winners of $16,911,880. New York mainstay John Velazquez finished
second in purses earned nationally with $16,743,328.
All but 16 of Dominguez’s victories came in New York and included Grade 1
wins in the Jockey Club Gold Cup aboard Haynesfield (Speightstown), the Man o’
War S. with Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), the Garden City S. with Check the Label
(Stormin Fever) and the Hopeful S. on Boys at Tosconova (Officer).
In 2010, Dominguez rode five winners on February 17, four winners 12 times
and three winners on 41 occasions. His 353 NYRA victories, with earnings of
$13,531,623, ranks third for most NYRA wins in a single year, behind his 2009
mark of 376 victories and Steve Cauthen’s 433 winners in 1977. Dominguez
finished second in the country in wins for the second consecutive year, with
369.
“To be able to feel that 2010 was as good or better than 2009 is very
gratifying,” said Dominguez, who lives near Belmont Park with his wife, Sharon,
and their sons Alexander and Matthew. “It’s hard to pick out one highlight, but
I thought the Jockey Club Gold Cup with Haynesfield and the Hopeful with Boys at
Tosconova were special, and it’s always great to win with Gio Ponti because he’s
such a good horse.”
Todd Pletcher returned to top the NYRA trainer standings for the first time
since 2004 as he dethroned four-time leading trainer Gary Contessa, 120-86.
Pletcher, who also led the nation in earnings with winners of $23,157,098 and
won his first Kentucky Derby (G1) with Super Saver, had a stellar year in New
York that kicked off with Distorted Passion’s (Distorted Humor) New Year’s Day
win in the 2010 Interborough S.
Pletcher would go on to win 31 more NYRA stakes, including Grade 1 victories
in the Wood Memorial with Eskendereya, the Metropolitan H. and Woodward S. with
Quality Road, the Ogden Phipps H. and Beldame S. with Life at Ten (Malibu Moon),
the Mother Goose S. and Coaching Club American Oaks with Devil May Care (Malibu
Moon), the Champagne S. with Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), the Ruffian H. with
Malibu Prayer, the Spinaway S. with R Heat Lightning (Trippi), and the King’s
Bishop S. with Discreetly Mine.
“We had a great year in New York from beginning to end,” Pletcher said.
“Taking the inner track title at Aqueduct for the first time was a big
accomplishment, and recapturing the Saratoga training title was very gratifying.
Winning the Wood Memorial and the Met Mile, two races we’d never won before,
kind of jump out. It was a great year for us all over the country, and
particularly in New York.”
Michael Dubb won his first title as leading owner in New York, edging Repole
Stable in victories, 50-49.