Aqueduct: Dominguez moved to different hospital for 'second opinion'

Michael Amoruso

"Ramon is doing really well and resting comfortably," his wife, Sharon Dominguez, said in a press release issued through the New York Racing Association.

Jockey Ramon Dominguez, who suffered a slightly displaced skull fracture in a spill last Friday at Aqueduct, was moved on Tuesday from Jamaica Medical Center Hospital in Queens, N.Y., to New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan, according to his wife, Sharon.

"Ramon is doing really well and resting comfortably," Sharon Dominguez said in a press release issued through the New York Racing Association.

"I can't thank the doctors and staff enough at Jamaica Hospital for the superb care they provided to Ramon," Sharon Dominguez continued. "With an injury like this, we thought it was important to seek a second opinion, which is why we decided to change hospitals."

Dominguez was injured when his mount, Convocation, clipped heels with a horse in front of him approaching the top of the stretch. Dominguez was hurled to the ground and appeared to get hit by a trailing horse.

In addition to the fractured skull, Dominguez suffered a badly bruised right eye.

Dominguez had been in the intensive care unit of Jamaica Hospital since Friday before being moved Tuesday. The release did not list what condition Dominguez was in.

"We're so grateful for the concern, support, and well-wishes from the racing community and Ramon's fans," Sharon Dominguez said. "We will continue to provide periodic updates on his condition through NYRA. Ramon is improving steadily, but needs to rest as he recovers, and his doctors have prohibited him from having visitors at this time."

Dominguez, the leading rider on the NYRA circuit for the last four years, was honored with his third consecutive Eclipse Award Saturday night.

In 2012, Dominguez set a North American earnings record of $25,582,252. He won 341 races from 1,398 mounts. He ranks 27th all-time in wins with 4,984 and 14th all-time in purse money won with $191,563,097.