The $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) is Saturday (Jan. 27) at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/8-mile race is for 4-year-olds and up. usracing.com will publish profiles of all the contenders.
O’CONNOR
O’Connor was a star in his native Chile, where he was Horse of the Year during the 2021-22 season. His career highlight was winning the Group 1 Gran Premio Latinamericano, one of the top races in South America.
After he dominated his U.S. debut by six lengths at Gulfstream in October 2022, trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., had dreams of winning the Pegasus at his home track. Not even close.
Joseph “didn’t think he could get beat” in last year’s Pegasus prep, the Harlan’s Holiday (G3), but O’Connor was fourth as the 6-5 favorite. After an 11th-place dud in the Pegasus, O’Connor put together a strong year, finishing in the money in five of six stakes. Winning his last two, the Fayette (G2) at Keeneland and the Harlan’s Holiday, brings this deep closer into the Pegasus on a roll.
Tyler Gaffalione rode him in both races and is upbeat about his chances. “I know he’s an older horse and he’s run a bunch of times,” he said, “but it seems like he’s figuring things out now.”
2024 Pegasus World Cup Contender: O’Connor
Betting advice: Needs a strong pace but won from far back at speed-biased Gulfstream. Play him across the board.
Post position: 2
Odds: 8/1
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.
Owners: Michael Iavarone, Julia Iavarone, Fernando Vine Ode
Age: 7
Career record: 27-12-7-3
Career earnings: $749,319
Most recent race: Harlan’s Holiday (G3), Won
Top Equibase speed figure: 113
Pedigree: Boboman-Torrente de Agua (CHI), by Touch Gold
Color: Bay
Running style: Closer
Notes: Co-owner Michael Iavarone was the lead owner of Big Brown, who crushed the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness before finishing last as the heavy favorite in the Belmont … The flamboyant Iavarone loves attention and often wears eye-catching outfits in the paddock … O’Connor made his first 18 starts in Chile, winning a Group 1, a Group 2 and three Group 3 events.
| 1 | Nimitz Class | 20-1 | George Weaver | Edgard J. Zayas |
| 2 | O’Connor | 8-1 | Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. | Paco Lopez |
| 3 | Dynamic One | 15-1 | Todd A. Pletcher | Irad Ortiz, Jr. |
| 4 | Hoist The Gold | 12-1 | Dallas Stewart | John R. Velazquez |
| 5 | Trademark | 12-1 | Victoria H. Oliver | Fernando De La Cruz |
| 6 | Senor Buscador | 6-1 | Todd W. Fincher | Junior Alvarado |
| 7 | National Treasure | 9-5 | Bob Baffert | Flavien Prat |
| 8 | First Mission | 7-2 | Brad H. Cox | Luis Saez |
| 9 | Grand Aspen | 8-1 | Todd A. Pletcher | Jose L. Ortiz |
| 10 | Il Miracolo | 20-1 | Antonio Sano | Javier Castellano |
| 11 | Crupi | 20-1 | Todd A. Pletcher | Lanfranco Dettori |
| 12 | Skippylongstocking | 8-1 | Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. | Tyler Gaffalione |
| 13 | Castle Chaos | AE | Robert N. Falcone, Jr. | Tyler Gaffalione |
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
