Buy TicketsMichael 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 Hagyard Fayette (G2) on Saturday’s closing day of the Keeneland Fall Meet.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for his first Keeneland stakes victory, 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.
Bred by Haras Carioca, O’Connor is by Boboman out of the Touch Gold mare Torrente de Agua. He earned $179,025 for the Hagyard 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 made his North American debut at Gulfstream Park in October 2022. The Hagyard Fayette was his first win in North America.
O’Connor paid $12.92, $6.86 and $4.96. Il Miracolo, ridden by Luis Saez, paid $6.22 and $4.82. Finishing a head behind in third was Speed Bias, who paid $6.60 under Ricardo Santana Jr.
Twilight Blue was fourth and was followed by Dash Attack, Law Professor, Trademark and Happy American.
The Hagyard Fayette was one of three stakes at Keeneland today. In the others, Runaway Storm won the $297,307 Bryan Station (G3) and Glengarry took the $169,775 Bowman Mill.