Last-place jockey finds way back into Preakness

Thursday, May 19, 2005 | 10:02 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

A last-place finish in the Kentucky Derby cost Ramon Dominguez the chance to ride High Limit again in the Preakness.

Before he began to lament his fate, however, the talented jockey accepted the ride aboard Scrappy T in Saturday's race.

"I feel fortunate to have a mount in the race. I guess I was a little disappointed to get taken off High Limit, but it goes with the game," Dominguez said Wednesday. "They were good to me. I won a few races with the horse. No hard feelings. I'm very lucky to get another horse right now and I feel like I have a good chance. I'm very optimistic."

High Limit won three times and took second in his four races under Dominguez before coming up empty in the Derby. As a result, Bobby Frankel, who trains the horse for owners Gary and Mary West, switched from Dominguez to Edgar Prado for the Preakness.

Dominguez, who has finished seventh, eighth and 13th in three Preakness runs, expects good things from new shooter Scrappy T, who has never finished out of the money in nine races.

"Every year, you have real high expectations," he said. "I feel fortunate to again receive the opportunity."

It's been 20 years since Leatherbury had a horse in the race, a drought that will end Saturday when he sends Malibu Moonshine into the fray.