The clever use of Bailey, McCarron and Day, three of the Top 15 (let's say) riders all time, presents a great benchmark for Ramon Dominguez. So.. because that's the 'standard' used, let's first note that Ramon will be 34 years old this year at the time of the TC and BC. So then, a look at Bailey, McCarron and Day through age 33 would logically be in order.
BC/TC WINS THROUGH AGE 33 -- TOTAL CAREER
DAY: 3 / 21
MCCARRON: 2 /14
DOMINGUEZ 1 / TBD
BAILEY: 0 / 21
Clearly, it's around this point in their careers, mid-30's, that top riders begin to supplant the veteran riders ahead of them for the best horses. Logic would tell you that the kind of horses it takes to win TC and BC races are just starting to come Dominguez' way now.
He already has the one Breeders' Cup win on Better Talk Now, so he's right in amongst the Hall of Famers in terms of timing.
You might think surprising placements on Friendly Island ('06 Sprint, 2nd 59-1), Bluegrass Cat ('06 Derby, 2nd at 30-1), My Cousin Matt ('04 Sprint, 3rd at 60-1) or even Gio Ponti ('09 Classic) might count for something too, but we're holding Dominguez to exacting standards so I suppose those efforts go to further demonstrate what an inept pilot he is...
__________________
All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine
Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans
The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984.
|