Trainer remembers Effinex; 'You could never count him out'

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens recalled the remarkable career of multiple graded stakes winner Effinex, who died suddenly from a ruptured pulmonary artery just before 9 p.m. Wednesday. Jerkens saddled the New York bred for 21 of his 28 starts winning the Empire Classic Handicap, the Grade 3 Excelsior, the 2015 and 2016 Grade 2 Suburban, the Grade 1 Clark Handicap and the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap. 

In addition to his victories Effinex finished second to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the 2015 Breeders' Cup Classic and was the runner-up in last year's Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

"I'm shocked. I thought he was in perfect health," Jerkens said. "They were excited about him standing in New York. It's just a freak thing. I can't remember this happening. It's not that common. Things happen. I'm just glad that if it had to happen that it wasn't something that was long and torturous like a bad colic, there's nothing worse than witnessing a horse go through that."

Jerkens, who acknowledged the support and emotion that was shown by racing fans in the hours following Effinex's passing was just as impressed with him and his effort that earned him $3,312,950 in his career.

"He started out it looked like he was just a very average horse, but to see him develop like he did that's what's great about training," he said. "So much of it is so hard, but you get a horse like that, and you see him develop before your eyes, and see them reach their potential, it's very gratifying.

"He showed so much class, you know like when he ran in the Santa Anita Handicap," Jerkens added. "It was a 'hurry up' decision to run him there, and we tried to prepare him the best we could, and whenever you do that it never works out. He wasn't training very well, plus he broke out in a terrible case of hives out there, and still finished third, I couldn't believe it. Then he came right back and probably ran one of the best races of his life in Oaklawn.  He'd throw in a little bit of a clunker there, and you'd shake your head, but you could never count him out.

"I was on the fence about going to Keeneland [2015 Breeders' Cup], Russell [owner Russell Cohen] said, 'Oh we're going! If you don't take him someone else will,' that kind of thing, and he went there and ran incredible. They reach back for something more, those are the kind you miss. They find it somehow. 

"Even after the Breeders' Cup, the horses that he beat that were behind him, you had Tonalist, you had Honor Code, the Godolphin horse, Frosted, they say that was just a fluke thing, but then when he came back and ran in the Clark, I felt that vindicated him, I felt great about that."

Effinex's career began in trainer Richard DeMola's barn where he debuted with a fifth-place finish over Aqueduct's inner track before returning less than a month later to win via a disqualification after being interfered with in the stretch. He then went on to win an allowance three weeks later after being transferred to trainer David Smith's care.

The son of Mineshaft then finished eighth in the 2014 Wood Memorial, and returned with a third-place finish against open allowance company then responded with two off-the-board finishes, and was again transferred, this time to Jerkens who saddled Effinex to a runner-up finish in the Albany Stakes at Saratoga. Jerkens remained his conditioner through the rest of his career.

As many as 103 foals were confirmed in foal to Effinex this year, and his passing will leave a void in New York breeding. Effinex will be buried at McMahon Farm, where he died, and will be laid alongside Grade 1 winner Personal Flag.