Effinex repeats in the Suburban by edging Samraat
Last year, Tri-Bone Stable’s Effinex won the Suburban Handicap in a thrilling photo over Tonalist. In 2016, he did it again, this time by narrowly edging Samraat to the wire.
As one of the best races on a big Stars & Stripes card at Belmont Park, the historic ten-furlong event turned out to be all about pace. With the scratch of Noble Bird, the race was left with no speed horses. That allowed Samraat to take the early lead while setting pedestrian early fractions of :25.31 and :49.34. Reunited with rider Mike Smith after not having him for a dud of a performance last time in the Stephen Foster Handicap, Effinex gained a great early position, stalking the early leader, just to his outside.
The field bunched up on the far turn, but the horses allowed to set the slow early pace still had plenty left in the tank for the sprint to the wire. Sure enough Samraat and Effinex proved strong, and the race to the Suburban finish line became a battle of the New York-breds. While Samraat proved to be a dogged foe, it was the race highweight who proved best. On the wire, Effinex, trained by Jimmy Jerkens, had edged in front by a neck over Samraat, who is still in search of his first win since the Gotham Stakes of 2014.
Mubtaahij, making his first start since finishing second to California Chrome in the Dubai World Cup more than three months ago, ran a strong race to get into the picture in the stretch, but just could not make up enough ground after the slow early pace, and finished third, a length and a quarter behind Samraat. Mubtaahij was well ahead of fourth-place finisher Eagle on the wire, who also was compromised by the lack of pace, while Shaman Ghost finished fifth. Final time for Effinex, who gave the runner-up seven pounds, was a solid 2:01.04 for the ten furlongs.
"He ran wonderful,” exclaimed Smith. “I got him away good. I got to the outside and got in comfortable, and in a rhythm. He's funny sometimes. You have to work with him, but I've been so lucky to ride him at the right time. The post was right; everything always seems to be right. I just got blessed again."
With the victory, the son of Mineshaft, also a Suburban winner, earned his second graded stakes victory of the year, having also accounted for the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap back in April. It was also his ninth win in 24 career starts. The winner’s check today raised last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up to $2,962,950 in lifetime earnings.
"All things came together,” said the winning trainer. “I guess he's a natural at a mile-and-a-quarter. He's a grinder. It looks like he can outgrind anybody out there, it looks like. We'll take it. I always loved this race. When I was a little kind, my father [late Hall of Famer Allen Jerkens] won this race a bunch of times with Beau Purple. He used to love to run in it any chance he could. He was a New York guy and those New York handicap races always meant a lot to him, and to me too. It's great to win here."
Effinex returned $6.30, $4.00, and $2.80 across the board to his many backers. The exacta over the 11-1 shot Samraat was good for $56.50, while adding Mubtaahij, who actually was a slim favorite over Effinex, to the trifecta was worth $200.50.
After the inexplicable, poor result last time at Churchill Downs, Effinex found things more to his liking back at the familiar surroundings of Belmont Park. Now back on track as one of the best handicap horses in America, he looks headed to ultimately get another try in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. As for his next race, no decision has been made yet.
"You can't rule anything out,” added Jerkens. “[The Whitney [Grade 1, $1.25 million, August 6, Saratoga] is a little close. It all depends on how he's doing, and who's running. Sometimes it's better just keep running."