Effinex Among Nominees for Stephen Foster
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Photo: Coady Photography
Effinex wins Oaklawn Handicap
Tri-Bone Stables' New York-bred Effinex, winner of the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) in his last start April 16, is among the nominees for the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 18 at Churchill Downs.
Trained by James Jerkens, Effinex, a 5-year-old Mineshaft horse, won the grade I Clark Handicap at Churchill last November after his second-place finish behind Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Churchill officials said Effinex is expected for the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster, which will be run at night as part of a "Downs After Dark" program. The race is a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
A few others pointing to the Stephen Foster are four-time graded stakes winner Majestic Harbor and grade III winner Eagle, who finished first and second, respectively, in the Alysheba Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill May 7. Last year's winner, Noble Bird, is nominated but most likely will run in the June 11 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park, track officials said.