[CVPeg]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...skull-in-spill

At first reported to have a bruised eye. In Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for observation. "Next 24 to 48 hours critical."

In the 7th race, his horse, Pletcher-trained Convocation, clipped heels, stumbled and fell. Not expected to be injured as he walked off the track. Two other horses avoiding the spill were eased, one also stumbling, and his rider losing the irons.

http://www1.drf.com/drfPDFChartRaces...=20130118&RN=7

Not a good Eclipse Awards weekend for Dominguez who is closing in on 5000 wins at 4874, and expected to take home another this evening. Such a professional, talented rider, and good all around fellow and family man. Hoping he heals quickly.

[MHM]

I saw that in the Times. Yikes. Hope he has a speedy recovery!

[Glimmerglass]

Terrible stuff as he is indeed one of those very talented but equally "good" guys. Hopefully no additional complications will arise .

[Kalila]

Hoping for a full recovery for Ramon.

[Glimmerglass]

Update as of JAN 21, 2013 (DRF)

Three-time Eclipse Award-winning rider Ramon Dominguez, who suffered a slightly displaced skull fracture in a spill at Aqueduct last Friday, showed some improvement over the weekend, but remained in the intensive care unit of Jamaica Medical Center Hospital on Monday.

On Saturday, Rushing said that doctors expressed some optimism in Dominguez’s progress, saying, “They’re optimistic of a full recovery.”

Rushing said there has been no timetable given for Dominguez to be moved out of the intensive care unit or when he could be released from the hospital.

[CVPeg]

Yes, hard to gauge how bad it is. At first thinking from reports, even though it is a fractured skull, that maybe it's not that bad. Glad they're thinking he'll be fine, but still sounds so ominous. Such a pleasure to watch. Hope he'll be perfect. And hope he'll want to return and can.

[Glimmerglass]

Sunday 1-27-13 "Dominguez out of intensive care; rehabilitation possibilities under discussion"

[Ramon] was transferred Thursday from the neurological intensive care onit to a medical step-down unit.

Currently, there is no timetable for Dominguez’s release, and doctors have prohibited him from having visitors.

“We’re so appreciative of everyone’s support, thoughts and prayers,” Sharon Dominguez said. “Many people have also given generously in Ramon’s name to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, which is a cause he has always been passionate about. Those vital donations provide financial assistance to permanently disabled riders, and we would encourage anyone who wishes to show support for Ramon to donate at www.pdjf.org

[CVPeg]

He's discharged from the rehab center and heading home! Was interviewed for this article, and he sounds as articulate as ever. Still has some time before the fracture heals. With this kind of injury they will be checking memory retention and are concerned about how he'll be processing speed - of course a quality he must have 100%. But he's "aced" all his tests so far.

Looks good. Hope things all fall well into place for this supremely talented rider.

http://www.drf.com/news/dominguez-re...s-future-plans

[Glimmerglass]

Wow - a possible return in March? That seems not only optimistic but rather aggressive. More power to Ramon if it helps in his rehabilitation

DRF Feb 14, 2013 "Dominguez hopes to resume riding in March"

Dominguez was released from the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital on Feb. 6 and has been doing a variety of physical, occupational, and speech/recognition therapies the past week at a local clinic. Dominguez said that after his first session his physical therapist told him there is nothing more he can do for him because “my physical level is pretty high.”

Dominguez said he would continue to do the other therapies – while perhaps seeking another physical therapist – for three more weeks before meeting with his doctors at Burke – Barry Jordan and Mark Herceg – who could give him clearance to exercise horses at that time.

He was at Belmont today (not the Big A) for the launch of the new NYRA website - an interesting remark at the bottom

Though he was at the track, Dominguez did not visit any horsemen, but said he plans to do so beginning next week. He also said he has not watched the replay of the spill in which he was involved – or almost any other race, for that matter – and has spent most of his free time playing video games with his sons Alexander and Matthew.

“Of course I have so much passion for the sport and what I do, but it doesn’t really help me mentally to watch races,” he said.

[Glimmerglass]

Pretty amazing the potential timetable for Ramon to be back in the saddle!

DRF 3/10/13 "Dominguez hoping to be exercising horses in two weeks"

Dominguez told the New York Racing Association that his next appointment with his doctors is March 25, at which time he hopes to get clearance to begin getting on horses in the mornings

“I’m pretty optimistic that he will find me good enough to come back,” Dominguez said. “From that point on, if he okays me, it will just be a matter of getting fit again, and that shouldn’t take too long. I’m speculating, but it depends on what they say, and on the 25th we’ll see.”

Should Dominguez get the green light at that time to start riding in the morning, it is likely he would be able to ride in the afternoons in time for the April 6 Wood Memorial card at Aqueduct.