Adam Coglianese
Patsy Symons’ Effie Trinket – a daughter of Freud and one of eight New York-bred juvenile fillies debuting on a sloppy (sealed) track in Friday’s second race at Saratoga – emerged with the bragging rights following a strong first-out performance, taking the 5 1/2-furlong race by open lengths.
Trained by Rick Violette, Jr., who tends to send out first time starters ready to run, 5-2 morning line favorite Effie Trinket made a good appearance in the paddock, and emerged as 3-2 post time favorite under jockey Alan Garcia.
After the gates opened three fillies were minded to assume control: 16-1 longshot Carla Sweetrevenge, who broke from the rail, Effie Trinket, ridden along from post six to join the vanguard, and Sharon Spagetti, who charged up from post seven after an eventful loading, which included a tumble in the mud, but left her fine to start after an examination by the track veterinarian.
Debra Roma Photography
Carla Sweetrevenge set the swift first quarter (22.40), but not without fairly constant pressure from her two rivals on the backstretch and through the clubhouse turn. Effie Trinket, poised to strike in the two path as she straightened out at the top of the lane, gained ground in upper stretch
Just before the furlong marker, with Sharon Spagetti fading, Effie Trinket gained the lead and kicked clear, drawing away to a 4 3/4-length victory. Carla Sweetrevenge held on tenaciously to preserve the place, while True Fortune closed well to finish third, another half length back. The final time for the five and one-half furlongs was 1:06.21.
Debra Roma Photography
Bred by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, where she was foaled, Effie Trinket first sold as a weanling at the 2011 OBS December mixed sale, going to Antigo Farms for $4,000. Patsy Symons purchased the filly at the OBS Spring 2-year-old sale for $130,000, after she worked a co-bullet two furlongs in a session of the under-tack show.
Effie Trinket is the fourth winner from four foals to start out of Maya’s Note, a winning Kentucky-bred daughter of Editor’s Note. The filly’s second dam, Miss Bid Flash (Horse Flash) was a multiple stakes winner of $242,185 and is a stakes producer. Maya’s Note currently has yearling filly by Catienus.
Effie Trinket’s sire Freud stands at Sequel Stallions New York.
