Ramon Dominguez closed to within three winners of Eibar Coa, 80-77, in race for riding title, booting home five winners, including pair of perennial also-rans, Devil’s Last Dance in third race and Safe Signal in ninth, that were combined 1-for-39 going into yesterday.

* Jockey Jose Amy, who returned to saddle Oct. 2004 after being suspended for nearly quarter-century in wake of racefixing scandal of mid-1970s, has retired to become jock’s agent. His first client is 20-year-old Carlos Quinones, 10-pound bug who graduated from same jockeys’ school in Puerto Rico that John Velazquez attended. Quinones, who has been exercising horses for year but has yet to ride in race, will begin riding at Big A next week.

“My dream came true,” Amy, 52, said of his brief comeback. “I rode for a year, won fives races and have nothing else to prove. This is a good opportunity. From what I see, (Quinones) has a lot of talent.”

* Congrats to NYRA racing secretary P.J. Campo and wife, Jeanette, on birth of their second child, Anna Elizabeth, Wed.

THIRD RACE: As noted several times this winter meet, many horses that could not win to save their lives throughout career are suddenly finding way to winner’s circle, thanks in large part to so many “non-winners of two races lifetime” races being carded for old claimers. Here, 1-for-13 Remarqable Tale, making first start since Sept. 3 with Hector Ramos up, went to front down backside, pressed by First N Goal, making second start back off 1 1/2-year layoff. Those two dueled around turn, exchanged bumps battling down stretch, then Remarqable Tale edged clear inside final furlong. But Devil’s Last Dance, winner just once in 20 starts, after settling in well off pace, rallied to get up in final strides.

FOURTH RACE: Bettors who took 35-1 on Dancing Dynamo have to be pulling out hair, as 5-year-old who never hit board in prior seven starts, beaten average 14 lengths each time out, suddenly answered wake-up call for Dominick Schettino but couldn’t overcome poor racing luck. After stumbling to knees out of gate under Rudy Rodriguez to spot field several lengths, Dancing Dynamo advanced inside around clubhouse turn, was steadied in traffic down backside, continued inside around far turn, swung out to split horses rallying top of stretch, had dead aim on leaders but hung late, settled for third.

EIGHTH RACE: No Sleep was 2-5 favorite under Dominguez in optional claimer coupled with Game Card for Gary Contessa; tucked in behind early pace set by Foregotten Promise, rallied inside turning for home, then, as often happens with Dominguez horses, got stuck in traffic along rail; took up, swung out, kicked in again, and again as often happens with Dominguez horses, blew by leaders while still in hand, with rider looking back several times for competition.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 3-8-8-4-1-11

8 winners (6 of 6) each paid $4,049

227 cons. (5 of 6) winners paid $48.80

No Carryover