US Group race winning galloper Caixa Eletronica has died in a freak accident following a collision at Belmont Park with another horse, who also died. Four-time graded stakes winner Caixa Eletronica suffered a skull fracture at about 8am on Saturday at Belmont Park. The nine-year-old was working 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. Six Drivers suffered a neck fracture. Both horses died immediately as a result of their injuries, according to Dr Anthony Verderosa, chief examining veterinarian for The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). Caixa Eletronica’s exercise rider, Carlos Castro, was taken to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York for evaluation. Six Drivers’ rider, Julio Pezua, suffered no apparent injuries. Caixa Eletronica won 23 races in 69 starts, and earned more than $US1.8 million for owner Mike Repole, after the horse was claimed by trainer Todd Pletcher for $62,500 in 2011. From then Caixa Eletronica won seven stakes, including the 2011 Grade 3 Westchester, 2012 Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, 2012 Grade 2 True North Handicap, and 2012 Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap. The Kentucky-bred was by Arromanches and out of the Skip Away mare Edyta. “It’s a terrible day for racing,” said Repole. “For any horse, it’s horrible. When you hear it’s Caixa Eletronica, it’s magnified. “He was such an iron horse. 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’.” © Horsetalk
