Dominguez to be honored with Venezia Award

Ramon Dominguez, a three-time winner of the Eclipse Award for outstanding

jockey, will be presented with the Mike Venezia Memorial Award on Sunday at

Saratoga Race Course.

The Venezia Award was created in 1989 and Dominguez will be its first winner

since 2006. Dominguez, who was injured in a spill in January at Aqueduct

Racetrack, announced his retirement in June.

Dominguez was the leading rider on The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)

circuit from 2009-12 and won 21 meet titles in New York. He was twice leading

rider at Saratoga, taking his first Spa title in 2009 and setting a

single-season record for wins last year with 68.

The Venezia Award is given to jockeys who exemplify extraordinary

sportsmanship and citizenship. It is named in honor of Mike Venezia, who died as

the result of injuries he suffered in a spill in 1988 at Belmont Park.

During a special ceremony in the winner's circle following the 4TH race,

Dominguez also will receive his 2012 Eclipse Award and The New York Racing

Association, Inc. (NYRA) will show a video tribute to the jockey. Richard

Migliore, who won the 2003 Venezia Award, will host Sunday's ceremony.

Previous winners of the Venezia Award:

2006: Edgar Prado

2005: (Not given)

2004: Patricia Cooksey

2003: Richard Migliore

2002: Dean Kutz

2001: Mike Luzzi

2000: Jorge Chavez

1999: Gary Stevens

1998: Eddie Maple

1997: Robbie Davis

1996: Laffit Pincay, Jr.

1995: Pat Day

1994: Mike Smith

1993: Jerry Bailey

1992: Angel Cordero, Jr.

1991: Chris McCarron

1990: Bill Shoemaker

1989: Mike Venezia (posthumously)

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