Effinex ready to Oaklawn Handicap

Effinex, who last Monday was crowned New York-bred Horse of the Year, will this Monday be heading to Oaklawn Park for the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap next Saturday.

The Oaklawn Handicap will be the second start of the year for Effinex, who finished third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 12 in his seasonal debut.

On Thursday, Effinex worked five furlongs in 1:02.47 over the Belmont Park training track. He went his first quarter-mile in 26.00 seconds and his last three furlongs in 36.47.

“I didn’t want him to do too much,” trainer Jimmy Jerkens said. “I slowed him down. I thought it was just right. He worked a little too fast last time.”

Jerkens said he believes Effinex has “moved forward from his last race.”