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2024 Pegasus World Cup Contender Profile: O’Connor

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.

2024 Pegasus World Cup Odds and Post Positions

PP Horse Odds Trainer Jockey
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

 

 

 

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