Effinex training like a bear for Brooklyn

ELMONT, N.Y. – A five-furlong workout timed in 1:03.97 isn’t normally anything to get excited about. But Effinex was visually impressive in his Friday morning workout, his first since his victory in the Grade 3 Excelsior on April 25.

Effinex is training toward the Grade 2, $400,000 Brooklyn Invitational at Belmont on the undercard of the June 6 Belmont Stakes.

With jockey Kelvin Pahal keeping a firm hold on Effinex, the 4-year-old New York-bred son of Mineshaft was simply galloping in a move that was timed by Daily Racing Form in splits of 13.72 seconds, 26.37, and 51.30 from the half-mile pole to the wire. He went from the wire to the seven-furlong marker in 12.67 seconds before shutting it down on the gallop out.

When told that it looked like he was simply galloping, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said: “That’s all he’s supposed to do. The race is a month away.”

Effinex is 2 for 2 this year, having earned triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in both of his starts, including a 107 for his three-quarter-length victory over Red Rifle in the Excelsior.

As a 3-year-old, Effinex won the $250,000 Empire Classic for New York-breds going 1 1/8 miles over Belmont’s main track.

Meanwhile, Jerkens said he and Centennial Farms have not yet finalized a plan for Wicked Strong, who finished third in the Excelsior. Jerkens mentioned the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont on June 6 or the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 13 as possible spots for Wicked Strong. Both are Grade 1 events.