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Effinex delivers for Jerkens in Excelsior; Wicked Strong third

Effinex gained the upper hand in deep stretch and posted his first graded win (Adam Coglianese Photography) Tri-Bone Stables' Effinex (Mineshaft) rallied to challenge leaving the far turn and grinded his way to a three-quarters of a length victory in Saturday's $200,000 Excelsior (G3) at Aqueduct. The New York-bred colt registered his second straight win, and first open stakes score, for trainer James Jerkens, who also had 3-5 favorite Wicked Strong (Hard Spun) check in a disappointing third in his first start at Aqueduct since capturing the 2014 TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial (G1). Sent postward as the 6-1 second choice among six rivals with jockey Angel Arroyo, Effinex rated off the pace in fifth as pacesetter Red Rifle (Giant's Causeway) established opening splits in :24 2/5 and :49 1/5. Wicked Strong broke a step slowly but advanced to track the pace in second most of the way, only a half-length back after three-quarters in 1:12 3/5. Effinex inched forward on the far turn and offered a nice turn of foot while wide off the far turn, nearly reaching even terms by the top of the stretch. Red Rifle proved game as Wicked Strong retreated and Effinex was able to wear down the runner-up in the latter stages, completing 1 1/4 miles in 2:02 on the fast track.

"I had the best trip," Arroyo said. "I was able to break good and relax behind the speed. I waited for the stretch, and my horse responded when I asked. He's a nice horse."

The four-year-old returned a $14 win mutuel.

Red Rifle, who was off at 8-1, finished 2 1/4 lengths clear of Wicked Strong, who was making his second start of the year after a close fourth in the March 7 Gulfstream Park H. (G2).

"I was a little worried about running (Wicked Strong) 1 1/4 miles after having just one race in Florida," Jerkens said. "It puts a horse in a different mindset when you have to go chasing fast horses then you have to slow them back down again. You try to do what you can in the morning, but there's only so much you can do. He'll be back."

Effinex broke his maiden in his third outing and was transferred to Jerkens four starts later. He placed in his first attempt versus restricted stakes rivals, the Albany at Saratoga last August, before capturing the Empire Classic H. at Belmont Park in October. He followed with a pair of fourths, including the Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2), before returning to the winner's circle in his 2015 bow, a March 27 allowance/optional claimer at Aqueduct on March 27.

With Saturday's $120,000 payday, the dark bay increased his earnings to $507,250 from a 14-5-1-2 record.

"We don't have anything planned for him," Jerkens said when asked what's next for Effinex. "We'll bring him back to the barn and evaluate when he comes back."

Bred by Dr. Russell S. Cohen, Effinex is out of the multiple stakes-winning What a Pear (E Dubai). He counts Broodmare of the Year Best in Show (Traffic Judge) as his fourth maternal dam.

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