Dominguez, Pletcher, Bromans Win Belmont Park Titles | |
| By Jenny Kellner | October 25, 2009 |
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 stakes winners Devil May Care (Grade 1 Frizette) and Take the Points (Grade 1 Jamaica) as well as 2-year-olds Eskendereya (Pilgrim) and Dad’s Crazy (Miss Grillo). “It’s been a good meet,” said Pletcher. “Our 2-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 Mineralogist’s wins in the $100,000 Maid of the Mist Stakes and $100,000 Joseph A. Gimma for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies. Racing moves to Aqueduct Racetrack for the 39-day Fall Meet on Wednesday, October 28. First race post is 12:30 p.m. and gates open at 11:00 a.m. with free admission and free general parking. The highlight of the meet is Saturday, November 28, featuring the Grade 1, $300,000 Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile, the Grade 1 Gazelle for 3-year-old fillies and two great juvenile races in the Grade 2 Remsen and Demoiselle. |









