Trainer O'Connor Lands First Career Win
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Trainer Matthew O'Connor celebrates his first career win at Gulfstream Park
Matthew O'Connor notched his first career win April 4 at Gulfstream Park, saddling Sean O'Connor Jr.'s Duellist for an off-the-pace victory in the opener of a 12-race program.
"It feels good, but it feels a little weird that no one is here," said the 22-year-old New York native, noting the Florida track's spectatorless racing due to COVID-19. "We left with a win, that's all that matters."
O'Connor, who grew up five miles from Belmont Park, first worked on the racetrack for trainer Domenick Schettino at the age of 16. He joined Robert Falcone Jr. for a year before spending the past two years with Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito.
"Nick Zito taught me a lot of the stuff I know. I'm forever grateful to him," said O'Connor, who has a four-horse string at Palm Meadows Training Center. "He's like a second father to me."
O'Connor launched his training career March 15 by saddling Duellist to a third-place finish at Gulfstream. The 4-year-old Malibu Moon colt also was his second starter.
Duellist, who won the $16,000 maiden claimer by a length, was ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, who got off to a hot start at Gulfstream's spring meet by riding three winners Thursday and four more Friday.