Jockey Club Gold Cup Field Begins to Form

Tri-Bone Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Effinex emerged from his bullet work the morning of Sept. 10 in good order and will target the Oct. 8 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont Park, trainer Jimmy Jerkens confirmed Sept. 12.

On Saturday, the 5-year-old New York-bred by Mineshaft   breezed five furlongs in :59 1/5 on the main track, fastest of 24 at the distance, for his second official work since his fourth-place finish in the Aug. 6 Whitney (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.

Effinex will join stablemate and Woodward (gr. I) victor Shaman Ghost in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. At 1 1/4 miles, the Gold Cup offers an all-fees paid to the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park as part of the "Win and You're In" Challenge Series.

"They both like the distance, it's a lot of money and it's right in our backyard," said Jerkens. "There's a lot to like about it. It's the logical place to run before the Breeders' Cup. I don't see anywhere else to run."

Delta Prince, the unraced half brother to three-time Eclipse Award winner Royal Delta, worked in company with Effinex as he prepares for his unveiling later this month. The 3-year-old Street Cry colt finished about three lengths behind his more accomplished stablemate to earn an official time of :59 4/5 for the five-furlong move.

"He didn't really stay with Effinex the whole way, he did for a good part of the way but he got tired at the very end, which is to be expected," Jerkens said of the breeze. "I like him. He's a beautiful-looking horse, really handsome. I think there's a race on (September) 23 for maidens, 6 1/2 furlongs. We're hoping to get him there."

Other Jockey Club Gold Cup potentials include Whitney runner-up Comfort, who returned Sept. 10 to win the inaugural Seattle Slew Stakes at Belmont. Todd Pletcher's assistant trainer Byron Hughes said the 4-year-old son of Indian Charlie is possible to make the return to graded stakes company in the Gold Cup. He is 3-for-3 at Belmont.

Returning to Belmont following his best career finish from four starts in North America,  Woodward runner-up Mubtaahij will be pointed towards the Jockey Club Gold Cup as well, said Joe Lee, assistant to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Lee noted that the McLaughlin team was pleased with the 4-year-old colt's showing in the Woodward and have every expectation that Mubtaahij will continue to move forward.

"He looked great in the Woodward," said Lee. "It was certainly the best he's run since being stateside so far and he's been galloping daily since returning to Belmont in continuing preparations for the Jockey Club Gold Cup."

Lee added that, subject to weather, Mubtaahij is scheduled to next work Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 for the Jockey Club Gold Cup Oct. 8.