Effinex goes for Suburban repeat
ELMONT, N.Y. – A year ago, Effinex bounced back from a poor performance in a stakes race to win the Grade 2 Suburban. His connections will hope to repeat that scenario on Saturday when Effinex goes in the 130th running of the Suburban at Belmont Park.
In the Grade 2, $500,000 Suburban, Effinex may find his biggest challenger just down the shed row in Shaman Ghost, the 2015 Queen’s Plate winner who is coming off a big victory in the Grade 2 Brooklyn on Belmont Stakes Day.
Both Effinex and Shaman Ghost are trained by Jimmy Jerkens, who was an assistant to his father, the late Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens, when Devil His Due posted back-to-back Suburban victories in 1993-94. That remains the last time a horse or trainer won consecutive runnings of this race.
Effinex, best known for running second to American Pharoah in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, threw in a stinker in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 18, finishing sixth as the 3-5 favorite. He was away awkwardly and raced wide throughout.
Jerkens is hoping he can just throw out that race and move on, similar to last year, when Effinex bolted and failed to finish the Brooklyn before winning the Suburban by a head over Tonalist.
“I don’t know why he ran so good after he bolted,” Jerkens said. “I haven’t been able to figure him out yet. He’s a tough horse. When he’s on his game, he’s as good as anything out there, so you got to keep trying. He’s proven that a number of times.”
Mike Smith, who won his first of three Suburbans when he rode Devil His Due in 1994, is reunited with Effinex after having to take off him in the Stephen Foster to ride Songbird in the Summertime Oaks that day.
Jerkens will also saddle Shaman Ghost, who turned a sweet, ground-saving trip into a 4 1/4-length victory in the Brooklyn.
“I thought he stood over that field from a quality standpoint,” Jerkens said.
Shaman Ghost came back with a bullet five-furlong workout in 59.60 seconds last Sunday.
With the exception of Tapin Mojo – a $12,500 claimer who hasn’t raced in 14 months – the Suburban drew a solid field. Completing the field are Mubtaahij, the runner-up in the Dubai World Cup; Eagle, the runner-up in the Stephen Foster; Noble Bird, the winner of the Grade 3 Pimlico Special; and Turco Bravo and Samraat, second and fourth in the Brooklyn.
KEY CONTENDERS
Effinex, by Mineshaft
Last 3 Beyers: 91-106-100
◗ If you draw a line through the Stephen Foster, his form is terrific, with wins in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap and Grade 1 Clark sandwiching a third in the Santa Anita Handicap, which was a big ask off a layoff.
◗ Has enough tactical speed to lay close in what looks like a paceless race.
◗ Reunited with Smith, who is 2-1-1 from four rides on him.
Shaman Ghost, by Ghostzapper
Last 3 Beyers: 99-97-93
◗ Could be a burgeoning player in the handicap division if he can back up his decisive Brooklyn score.
◗ Reeled off four consecutive victories, including the Queen’s Plate, when in the barn of trainer Brian Lynch last year.
Noble Bird, by Birdstone
Last 3 Beyers: 91-110-81
◗ Ran dynamite when recording an 11 1/4-length, front-running victory in the Pimlico Special.
◗ Got burned up in an early pace battle in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, which was won in spectacular fashion by Frosted.
◗ Could be the controlling speed under Julien Leparoux after breaking from the rail.
Eagle, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 100-99-101
◗ Finished a hard-charging second behind Bradester in the Stephen Foster, his fourth runner-up finish in his last six stakes tries.
◗ Trainer Neil Howard and owner William S. Farish, who won this race in 2003 with Mineshaft, believe the 1 1/4-mile distance and wide, sweeping turns at Belmont will suit this 4-year-old.