Effinex taking it easy after cross-country trip

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Effinex, who finished third as the favorite in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap last Saturday, arrived back in New York on Wednesday following a cross-country flight from Southern California.

Steve Moyer, assistant to trainer Jimmy Jerkens, said the race and the trip “took a little toll” on Effinex, who hadn’t run since winning the Grade 1 Clark Handicap last November. Moyer did say that Effinex was “completely clear” of the hives that plagued him leading into the Santa Anita Handicap.

Moyer said Effinex would tack-walk for a couple of days and then jog the wrong way for a couple of days before resuming galloping next week. Moyer said there are no definitive plans for Effinex, though Russell Cohen, who manages his family’s Tri-Bone Stable, said he would like to make the Oaklawn Handicap on April 16 if possible.

If it is deemed that Effinex needs more time, a race such as the Grade 3, $300,000 Pimlico Special on May 20 could make sense.

“We’ll let the horse dictate the plans,” Moyer said. “We’ll let him get his head back in the feed tub and go from there.”