Dominguez stopped to gab with Mike Luzzi (left) during his trip to Aqueduct (Photo courtesy of NYRA)

Jockey Ramon Dominguez visited Aqueduct on Sunday for the first time since being injured in a spill at the track on January 18.

Dominguez, who suffered a skull fracture in the accident requiring a four-night stay in intensive care at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, spent time in the jockeys' room and talked with members of the press, racing officials, valets and other riders.

"I've been thinking about coming to say 'hello,' but I just haven't been able to find the time," the three-time reigning Eclipse Award winner said. "It was great seeing my valet, all the other valets, and my friends. Everyone is happy to see me, and (I'm happy) to see them as well."

Dominguez, 36, said he'll have a better idea of when he might be able to resume riding after a doctor's appointment on March 25.

"I'm pretty optimistic that he will find me good enough to come back," Dominguez said. "From that point on, if he OKs 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."

The rider added that he is progressing well with his physical therapy regimens.

"Unless they're lying to me, everyone is happy not only with my condition but with the progress I've made in a short period of time," Dominguez remarked. "In the beginning, I felt like, 'I'm OK! I don't need this!' but right away I realized I was getting a lot of help from all of the different types of exercises."