Effinex edges Samraat to repeat in Suburban

After narrowly defeating Tonalist 12 months ago, Effinex was put to the test by Samraat before prevailing by a neck in Saturday’s $500,000 Suburban H. (G2) at Belmont Park. The 5-year-old rebounded from a well-beaten sixth as the 3-5 favorite in the June 18 Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs to capture the prestigious 1 ¼-mile race for the second straight year.

The top two finishers are New York-breds.

Effinex was re-united with jockey Mike Smith, who missed the Foster to ride Songbird at Santa Anita, and the duo recorded their third graded stakes together following victories in the Oaklawn H. (G2) two starts previously and the Clark H. (G1) last November.

The Hall of Fame jockey picked up the mount on the Jimmy Jerkens-trained horse prior to a runner-up effort behind American Pharoah in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). A son of Mineshaft, Effinex races under the colors of Tri-Bone Stables and has now earned $2,962,950 from a 24-9-2-4 ledger. He’s won a total of six stakes.

Off as the 2-1 second choice among seven contestants, Effinex tracked Samraat in second through moderate splits of :25.31 and :49.34. He was only a head back after three-quarters in 1:12.70, pressuring the pacesetter through the far turn, and it was a two-pronged duel entering the stretch.

Effinex drifted toward the middle of the track in the final furlongs but appeared to have Samraat measured to his inside in the latter stages. However, the 11-1 runner-up battled gamely to the wire, easily outfinishing 2-1 favorite Mubtaahij by 1 ¼ lengths. It was another 4 ½ lengths back to Eagle in fourth.

The winner stopped the teletimer in 2:01.04 on the fast track.

Bred by Dr. Russell S. Cohen, Effinex hails from multiple stakes winner What a Pear, a daughter of E Dubai.

Effinex photo courtesy of Susie Raisher/Adam Coglianese Photography