Caixa Eletronica killed in Belmont accident

AP

Caixa Eletronica, seen in this 2011 file photo, was killed instantly after collision with another horse.

Caixa Eletronica, a fan favorite on the New York Racing Association circuit, died Saturday morning after being involved in a training accident at Belmont Park.

The 9-year-old horse, who crossed the finish line 23 times in front, was galloping on the training track when he collided with another horse, Six Drivers, who was running loose after having unseated his rider behind the starting gate this morning around 8 a.m.

Both horses were killed instantly according to the NYRA with Caixa Eletronica suffering a skull fracture and Six Drivers fracturing his neck.

“It’s a terrible day for racing,” said owner Mike Repole. “For any horse, it’s horrible. When you hear it’s Caixa Eletronica, it’s magnified.”

Overall, Caixa Eletronica was 23-9-11 from 69 starts, with more than $ 1.8 million in earnings. In his final start, he finished fourth in the 2013 Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct on Nov. 28.

Repole claimed Caixa Eletronica for $ 62,500 in 2011 with trainer Todd Pletcher and watched the horse win seven stakes, including the 2011 Grade 3 Westchester, the 2012 Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, the 2012 Grade 2 True North Handicap and the 2012 Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap.

“He was such an iron horse,” Repole said. “For him to pass away like this makes no sense. I told Todd, ‘If this horse ever gets a pimple on his rear, I’ll retire him.’ Todd said, ‘I wish my 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds were super sound like this horse.”

Caixa Eletronica’s exercise rider, Carlos Castro, was taken to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y. for evaluation, while Six Driver’s rider, Julio Pezua, suffered no apparent injuries.

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