Saturday's GII Oaklawn H. winner Effinex (Mineshaft) emerged from his commanding victory in good order and will eye a number of prestigious events on the handicap calendar, according to Dr. Russell Cohen of Tri-Bone Stables and Kent Sweezey, assistant to trainer Jimmy Jerkens.
“Russell and I are taking this show on the road,” Sweezey said Sunday morning. “Talent-wise, he's right up there with the best of them. There is a long year ahead and a lot of races to look forward to.”
Handled with extreme confidence by Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith, Effinex was never far back and edged past GI Santa Anita H. hero Melatonin (Kodiak Kowboy) to score by a measured length. Effinex was third in the Big Cap behind Melatonin after contracting a case of hives on the West Coast. Cohen said that Effinex had no such problems with the ship to Arkansas, and performed accordingly Saturday.
“It was as impressive as it looks,” said Cohen, who is also the breeder and veterinarian for Effinex. “Mike was on his back with absolute confidence. He won't win off by a thousand [lengths] because it's unnecessary. Every time Mike has gotten off him, he's left a full tank of gas in him.”
Sweezey and Cohen said that although specific starts have not yet been chosen for Effinex, it is likely that they will target a series of Grade I races in New York and California ahead of a second crack at the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, having finished second behind American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) in the 2015 renewal.
“We're looking forward to a lot of nice things to come this year,” said Cohen. “It's the Effinex Tour.”
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