Michael and Julia Iavarone and Fernando Vine Ode's O'Connor (CHI) prevailed in a three-way photo finish to post a head victory in the 66th running of the $350,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2) on Saturday's closing day of the Keeneland Fall Meet.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., O'Connor was one of 25 winners during the season for leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione. O'Connor covered 1 1/8 miles on a dirt track labeled fast in 1:50.61.
“He was very game, and it was very hard-fought,” Gaffalione said of the winner. “He took everything that was thrown at him. He was loving his position going around the turn. I was really happy with where I was at. Coming into the stretch he kept finding more, and every time I asked him he responded. All the credit goes to (trainer) Saffie (Joseph Jr.) and his team. They brought him over here ready to run. I was just fortunate to be the passenger today.”
Bred by Haras Carioca, O'Connor is by Boboman out of the Touch Gold mare Torrente de Agua. He earned $179,025 for the Fayette victory, his 11th in 26 career starts, and increased his bankroll to $660,969. A Group 1 winner in his native Chile, O'Connor won his North American debut at Gulfstream Park in October 2022. Previously placed second or third in three stakes, all graded, earlier this year, he broke through for his first North American stakes victory in the Fayette.
O'Connor paid $12.92 for the win. Il Miracolo outfinished Speed Bias by a head for second.
Twilight Blue was fourth and was followed by Dash Attack, Law Professor, Trademark and Happy American.
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