Clear Vision First Graded Winner for Trainer O'Connor
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Ryan Thompson
Matthew Brice O'Connor leads Clear Vision into the winner's circle following the Tropical Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Trainer Matthew Brice O'Connor earned his first black-type victory Jan. 8 at Gulfstream Park by turning $25,000 claim Clear Vision into a graded stakes winner in the $100,000 Tropical Turf Stakes (G3T).
Now campaigned by Mary Ellen and Anthony Bonomo's MeB Racing Stables, Clear Vision was picked up for a tag off a winning effort at Belmont Park in October. He was second in the Dec. 4 Claiming Crown Emerald Starter Stakes at Gulfstream in his first start for his new connections prior to the Tropical Turf. O'Connor, a 23-year-old native of New Hyde Park, N.Y., considers the Bonomos family since his father and Anthony Bonomo are best friends.
"It means the world to me. I've been working since I've been 8, 9 years old just to follow the path to here," O'Connor said. "To do it for my Uncle Anthony and Aunt Mary Ellen, it means a lot."
The Bonomos were previously partners in 2017 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Always Dreaming and 2015 Champagne Stakes (G1) scorer Greenpointcrusader .
Julien Leparoux had the return call on the 6-year-old Artie Schiller gelding, who dueled for the lead before drawing off to win by two lengths. Clear Vision led the opening quarter-mile in :23.62 on the firm turf, then Belgrano drew up on his outside to get his head in front for a half in :46.97. Flying Scotsman vied early between those two before dropping back to contend in third ahead of Value Proposition .
"I told Julien to just play the break. We thought Flying Scotsman would go and it looked like he broke a little slow. We wound up on the lead and Julien went on with it," O'Connor said.
Clear Vision got his head back in front to run three-quarters in 1:10.94 before shaking off his rivals. He completed about one mile in 1:35.36 and paid $23.40 for a $2 win ticket.
Value Proposition got up for second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Belgrano , who held for third. 3-5 favorite Largent came in fourth after rallying from second to last in the seven-horse field.
"When they came to the quarter pole I saw Largent making his run," O'Connor said. "(Clear Vision) is a gritty horse. He knows his job, he loves what he does and he dug in and turned away the competition."
Clear Vision improved his career record to 6-2-1 from 19 starts with earnings of $251,296. He was the first starter of 2022 for O'Connor, who saddled his first winner in April 2020 at Gulfstream.
Bred in Kentucky by Candy Meadows, Clear Vision is the first foal out of the Invincible Spirit mare Refreshing . The mare has three winners from as many starters as well as a 2-year-old Maclean's Music colt named Yes Mo and a yearling Catholic Boy colt. Refreshing sold in foal to War of Will for $52,000 to Sancal/Kurtel out of Candy Meadows Sales' consignment at the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Growing up five miles from Belmont Park, O'Connor was introduced to racehorses early and his father had horses with trainer Dennis Brida. He worked for Dominick Schettino, Robert Falcone Jr., and then Hall of Famer Nick Zito, a time during which he attended the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program, before going out on his own.
"I have to thank Nick Zito. He's known for winning big races with longshots and he always told me, 'If you think you can run fourth in a stake, take the shot,'" O'Connor said. "We followed that method here today, and it worked."