Retired jockeys who made big splashes during their riding careers showed up March 14 for Breakfast at the Gallops, and attendees had the opportunity to meet them and listen to their stories.
Ramon Dominguez, who is a member of thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame, was the featured speaker for the event, which was held at the Aiken Training Track.
Also present on a cool, sunny morning was Mike Manganello, who guided Dust Commander to victory in the 1970 Kentucky Derby.
“I absolutely love it,” said Dominguez of the Training Track. “It brings back memories from back home in Venezuela, where some of the first training centers I rode at were like this. They didn’t have a grandstand. There was just a track with trees around it, except they were mango trees and you have oaks.”
Dominguez, 48, was the Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
He led all North American riders in earnings in each of those years and set what then was a single season record of $25,639,432 in 2012.
He was the top jockey by number of wins in 2001 and 2003.
Dominguez began his professional riding career in South America at the age of 18. He rode his first winner in North America in 1996 at Hialeah Park in Florida.
Between then and his retirement from the saddle in 2013, Dominguez guided three horses to victory in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. They were Better Talk Now in the 2004 Turf, Hansen in the 2011 Juvenile and Little Mike in the 2012 Turf.
In addition, Dominguez was the regular rider for 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace.
His experiences aboard another thoroughbred, Fabulous Strike, also bring back fond memories.
The gelding carried Dominguez to victory in the 2007 Vosburgh Stakes and other races.
“He was the most talented horse that I ever rode, in my opinion, in terms of athleticism and the things that he could do that were really not normal,” Dominguez said. “He could go extremely fast head-to-head with the competition [after breaking from the starting gate]. Then he would relax and rebreak. He was incredible.”
Horses ridden by Dominguez in North America won nearly 5,000 races and earned $191,620,277.
Even though Manganello captured the Kentucky Derby aboard Dust Commander, 55 years ago, he still can remember the experience clearly.
His mount was a 15-1 longshot at Churchill Downs.
“I got bumped a little bit leaving the [starting] gate, so my horse kind of got knocked back,” Manganello said. “Instead of trying to rush him, I kind of let him bet back on his feet and settle into his stride.
“Going down the backside, I was getting him to stay on the rail, Manganello continued. “He wanted to run, but I didn’t want him to go all out then.”
On the final turn, “I came to a bunch of horses, and the rail opened up,” Manganello recalled. “Then turning for home, there were like three horses in front of me, and he’s wanting to run, but I haven’t really asked him yet.
“Instead of going around them, I just waited, and they separated,” Manganello said. “When they separated, I let him go, and he flew through there. Then I reached back and tapped him [with the whip], and he just opened up on them. From that point on, he was home free.”
Manganello described Dust Commander’s final burst of speed as an “explosive move.”
The City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department organized the Breakfast at the Gallops, which was held the day before the Aiken Trials at the thoroughbred training facility on Two Notch Road.
A portion of the proceeds from Breakfast at the Gallops will be used to support the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum.
The Aiken Trials is the first event in the Aiken Triple Crown. The Aiken Spring Steeplechase will be held March 22, and Pacers and Polo is scheduled for March 29.