Jockey Ramon Dominguez continued to dominate the competition in New York with
his fifth straight riding title, and trainer Todd Pletcher won his 20th
individual training title as Belmont Park’s 33-day Fall Championship Meet
concluded Sunday.
Dominguez, New York’s leading rider, won two races on Sunday’s card to finish
with 39 victories, five more than Rajiv Maragh. John Velazquez finished third
with 32 winners.
On Saturday, Dominguez won four straight stakes on New York Showcase Day to
move into a commanding lead in the standings.
“Having won five riding titles is a highlight in itself,” said Dominguez, who
is in his first full year riding in New York. “Here, the competition is so tough
that you can never take anything for granted. ”
Earlier this year, Dominguez set a modern-day record for victories at the
Belmont Park Spring/Summer meet with 98 total winners. Dominguez was also the
leading jockey at Saratoga Race Course, Aqueduct Racetrack’s inner track meet,
and Aqueduct’s spring meet.
Pletcher, with 20 victories, earned his seventh Fall Championship Meet title
with a number of outstanding performers, highlighted by Frizette S. (G1) winner
DEVIL MAY CARE (Malibu Moon), Jamaica (G1) hero TAKE THE POINTS (Even the
Score), Pilgrim S. romper ESKENDEREYA (Giant’s Causeway) and Miss Grillo S.
victress DAD’S CRAZY (Langfuhr).
“It’s been a good meet,” Pletcher said. “Our two-year-olds ran very well.
Anytime you have 28 second-place finishes as we did at Saratoga, you hope they
turn into wins the next meet. It doesn’t always work out that way, but
everything came together. The two Grade 1’s were key as well.”
Chester and Mary Broman were the leading owners with nine victories,
including wins by MINERALOGIST (Mineshaft) in the Maid of the Mist S. and Joseph
A. Gimma for New York-bred two-year-old fillies.