BC Classic runner-up Effinex will remain in training

LEXINGTON, Ky. – While most of the top older horses who raced in 2015 are heading to the breeding shed or retirement, Effinex, runner-up to American Pharoah in Saturday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland, will remain in training for a 2016 campaign.

“Absolutely, he’s running next year,” said Russell Cohen, a veterinarian who bred Effinex for his mother Bernice’s Tri-Bone Stable. “He’s sound as a dollar bill. He deserves it. His family deserves it. And you know what? He’s a lot of fun, so why not?”

Cohen said there is even a chance Effinex could run again this year. Cohen said Effinex was invited to compete in one of two dirt races in Japan, though an overseas trip seems unlikely. Cohen ruled out the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 28. The Grade 1 Clark on Nov. 27 at Churchill Downs would seem like a possible spot.

As for next year, Cohen said he would look to run Effinex in the same races he did this year. Effinex won the Grade 3 Excelsior at Aqueduct in April and the Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont in July. He finished third in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and fourth in the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga. He bore out and did not finish the Grade 2 Brooklyn on Belmont Stakes Day.

As for Saturday’s race, Cohen felt running second to the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years was a validation of sorts for his New York-bred son of Mineshaft.

“Absolutely. He ran against probably the best horse that’s run in 100 years,” said Cohen. “I didn’t think [American Pharoah] was that good, but he beat some older horses that had a whole lot of talent with a whole lot of G1s next to their name. Pharoah beat them all. … Just to be in contention the whole way, I’m pretty proud of him.”

Cohen said Effinex would spend the winter in New York. Effinex is trained by Jimmy Jerkens, who called Saturday’s result “the greatest second I ever had.”

Effinex was scheduled to van back to New York on Monday, according to Kent Sweezey, assistant trainer to Jerkens.