Three-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Ramon Dominguez, diagnosed with a displaced skull fracture as a result of a spill Jan. 18 at Aqueduct Racetrack, is improving as he remains in the intensive care unit at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, according to his agent.
"He's slowly progressing each day," agent Steve Rushing said via text Jan. 20. "He's talking a little bit more today."
The 36-year-old rider won his third consecutive Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey Jan. 19 during a gala night at Gulfstream Park. The award was accepted on his behalf by fellow finalists and New York regulars Javier Castellano and Hall of Famer John Velazquez.
Dominguez was unseated during the running of Friday's seventh race when his mount, Convocation, appeared to clip heels with the eventual winner, Sovereign Default. Convocation, who stumbled and fell, did not appear to be seriously injured in the incident and was walked off the track.
A native of Venezuela, Dominguez led all riders on the NYRA circuit in 2012 with 322 victories, and led the nation in earnings with $25.6 million.