Saratoga Highlights--2012 (Part 6: Conclusion, Some Humans)

Behind every winning thoroughbred, there's a human or 2 or, actually, quite a few.

As with the horses, there are far too many people who deserve special mention to do justice by picking just a few for these Highlights. But this is a blog, not an encyclopedic year-in-review.

So, at the risk--no certainty--of leaving out several humans who deserve inclusion, and who other reviewers would include, here are my selections.

Ramon Dominguez
Now this was his meet.
Simply awesome. Frighteningly so!
(click to enlarge any photo)

Ramon
Simply Awesome
by Bob Mayberger

Ramon broke the record for most wins at a Saratoga meet. Over the 40 days, he won 68 times. He also became the 1st jockey to ever win 6 races in a single day at Saratoga twice--let alone twice in a single season. Top Jockey title by a wide margin.
[In both records, he passed Johnny Velazquez--who just happens to be the very next Highlight.]
Among Ramon's victories were the Jim Dandy and the tie-for-1st aboard Alpha [See Part 2 of the Highlights.], the Ballston Spa aboard Zagora [See Part 4 of the Highlights.], the Yaddo aboard Hessonite [See Part 4 of the Highlights.], and the Saranac aboard Unbridled Command. [See photo.]

Ramon's Record Breaker
by Bob Mayberger

That last one, a 10-1 upset, was part of his 2nd 6-win days at Saratoga. It was also the one with which he broke the previous record for most wins in a single meet.

As most readers surely know, Ramon was seriously injured in a riding accident at Aqueduct on January 18. The latest news is that he is recovering impressively from a fractured skull. Reports are that he may even return to racing sometime in March.
Amazing! Just as Ramon himself is.
All the very best wishes for a full recovery Champ.