Training tragedy at Belmont claims Caixa Eletronica
 

Incomplete reports emerging from Belmont of a tragic collision on the training track that has claimed both horses, one apparently Caixa Eletronica. Pletcher exercise rider seriously injured as well.

How awful. :(

Just terrible news.

Jesus :(

Wow how tragic. Wishing the best for the rider.

Terrible news, prayers for the rider.....such awful news. :(

So sickened and saddened to hear this. :(

:( That is just terrible, condolences out to the connections. Very, very sad to, Caixa Electronic as brave as they come.

So sad to read this. I loved that tough old guy. One of my favorites.

Prayers for the exercise rider and profound condolences to Mr. Repole, the owners of Six Drivers, their grooms and all who loved and cared for them.

Sad beyond words.

How do you have a head on collision, dont they work in the same direction? I can see ith with a loose horse but with both horses having the riders on board just trying to envision a head on deal.

Six Drivers was loose. Wheeled and dropped rider and came out across the track into path of Caixa who was just galloping along. Those in attendance said there was little opportunity for collision to be avoided.

NYRA Press Release

ELMONT, NY -- Caixa Eletronica, a popular four-time graded stakes winner, died as the result of injuries he suffered in a training accident at approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday at Belmont Park.

The 9-year-old 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. Caixa Eletronica suffered a skull fracture in the incident, with Six Drivers suffering 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 hit his best stride after he was claimed by trainer Todd Pletcher for $62,500 on behalf of owner Mike Repole in 2011. With Repole and Pletcher, 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.

"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."

Overall, Caixa Eletronica was 23-9-11 in 69 starts, with more than $1.8 million in earnings. In his final start, the chestnut son of Arromanches was fourth in the 2013 Grade 3 Fall Highweight on November 28 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

"He was such an iron horse," said Repole. "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. Six Drivers' rider, Julio Pezua, suffered no apparent injuries.

Heartbreaking

Horrible...i loved that horse..always brought it

What an athlete. RIP.

R.I.P.

He was a great competitor, who always came to race. He will be missed.

Just got this news……and am sick about it. I'm just glad that it sounds like he didn't suffer. He was my absolute favorite. R.I.P. Caixa. You were as tough and game as they come.

Crummy news. Jeez

hate to see things like this happen. amazing just how quickly things go completely wrong.

I was talking to an exercise rider at Sam Houston about this Saturday and he said a similar accident occurred that morning. He said he thought both riders were okay but one of the horses was injured. Again a horse lost a rider and ran into the other.
Understand that I am not very knowledgeable about training/working horses, but is this type of accident common?? Seems very dangerous for both animal and human.