Effinex edges Tonalist to win Suburban Handicap

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Effinex, ridden for the first time by Junior Alvarado, edged out 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist in Saturday's $500,000 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park.

Tonalist, ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, was the 2-5 favorite for the 1 1/4-mile stakes versus five challengers. Effinex, trained by Jimmy Jerkens for Tri-Bone Stables, was 6-1 and started from post 5 just inside of the favorite.

Both Effinex and Tonalist raced in the rear as the field went up the backstretch with 38-1 longshot Street Babe and 7-2 second pick Coach Inge on the lead.

Tonalist, who won last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, went wide around the far turn to gain second behind Coach Inge as Effinex also moved into contention.

Coming down the stretch Coach Inge, Tonalist and Effinex had drawn away from the field. Effinex and Tonalist battled to the wire after leaving Coach Inge behind.

Effinex got the head bobbing decision over Tonalist with Coach Inge third and Neck 'n Neck fourth. Mylute and Street Babe completed the order of finish.

The time for the Suburban on a fast track was 2:01.55.

The winning purse of $275,000 brought Effinex's earnings to $782,250. The 4- year-old colt notched his sixth win from 16 lifetime starts.

Effinex, a New York-bred son of Mineshaft, got his second stakes win versus open company. He won the Excelsior at Aqueduct on March 27 but failed to finish last month's Brooklyn Handicap on the Belmont Stakes card.

Effinex paid $15.60, $4.10 and $2.40. Tonalist returned $2.10 and $2.10, and Coach Inge paid $2.50 to show.