Effinex Targets Brooklyn for Jerkens

The Belmont Stakes (gr. I) won't be the only race run at a mile and a half June 6. So too will the $400,000 NYRA.com Brooklyn Invitational Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park.

Tri-Bone Stables' Effinex enters the marathon event having won his last two starts, including a game victory in the Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 25.

NOVAK: Effinex Wins Excelsior, Wicked Strong Third

The 4-year-old colt by Mineshaft   rallied from fifth under jockey Angel Arroyo to catch Red Rifle in the final stride, prevailing by three-quarters of a length. It was the fifth win from 14 starts for the New York-bred, and the Excelsior marked his first win in a graded stakes race.

Prior to that, his biggest score came in last year's Empire Classic, which he won by a neck at Belmont on Oct. 18.

Effinex began his career under the care of trainer David J. Smith, winning two of seven starts, before being transferred to the Jimmy Jerkens barn last summer.

Under Jerkens' care, Effinex has won three of seven starts, including both of his starts in 2015.

Since the victory in the Excelsior, Effinex has worked three times for Jerkens, including a mile breeze over Belmont's training track in 1:41 on May 29.

Bred by Dr. Russell S Cohen, Effinex drew post 4 of 13 in the Brooklyn and will carry 119 pounds.

Breaking from the rail will be Twin Creeks Farm and Tom and Nancy Clark's Red Rifle, who was nailed on the wire by Effinex in the Excelsior.

Red Rifle has won five of 16 career starts, finishing in the money 11 starts with earnings of $473,020.

The 5-year-old's biggest win for trainer Todd Pletcher came last year when he captured the Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) in wire-to-wire fashion on Nov. 29.

NOVAK: Red Rifle Continues Good Season for Geroux

In his first two starts this year, Red Rifle encountered traffic in both starts—finishing third as the favorite in the Feb. 21 Mineshaft Handicap before tiring to fifth in the New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) on March 28. With clear sailing in the Excelsior, he took the lead from the start before getting caught on the wire by Effinex.

Red Rifle will be ridden by Jose Lezcano and will carry 121 pounds.

Magalen O. Bryant's V. E. Day will be the starting highweight in the Brooklyn Invitational, carrying 123 including jockey Javier Castellano.

Breaking from post 8, V. E. Day will be seeking his first win since taking last year's Travers Stakes (gr. I), trying to snap a three-race losing streak.

NOVAK: Travers Upset: V.E. Day Over Wicked Strong

After the Travers upset at odds of 19-1, V. E. Day never factored in both the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont on Sept. 27 before finishing 11th in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 1.

In his 2015 debut, V. E. Day tired on the turf, finishing sixth in the May 2 Fort Marcy (gr. IIIT). He has breezed three times for this since for Jerkens and is running as an uncoupled entry mate.

Other recognizable names in the field include Micromanage, Ever Rider, Turco Bravo, Neck 'n Neck, and Cary Street.