Effinex beats Melatonin by 1 length in Oaklawn Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Effinex seized the lead from Melatonin midway through $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap and held on to edge a rival that had beat it in the Santa Anita Handicap last month.

The 5-year-old had suffered from hives in California, where it finished third on March 12. Point Piper, which ran fifth in the Santa Anita Handicap, ran third Saturday.

Effinex set up on Melatonin's right shoulder through the first turn before jockey Mike Smith made his move during the second. Joseph Talamo's heavy whip kept Melatonin clear from the rest of the field but slowly gave ground to the winner.

Smith said Effinex "wasn't happy in California because of the hives" but reached another gear in Saturday's stretch duel at Oaklawn.

Effinex paid $5.40, $3.20 and $2.60; Melatonin paid $3.20 and $3.00 while Point Piper paid $8.00.