Aqueduct: Repole entry looks tough in Toboggan Stakes

Tom Keyser

Calibrachoa will be making his first start since finishing third in the Cigar Mile in Saturday’s Toboggan Stakes on the inner track at Aqueduct.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – With Uncle Mo retired and Stay Thirsty still vacationing, things have been a little quiet in Mike Repole’s Thoroughbred world these days.

That could change Saturday when Repole’s pair of graded stakes winners Calibrachoa and Caixa Eletronica comprise a formidable entry in the Grade 3, $150,000 Toboggan Stakes going six furlongs over Aqueduct’s inner track.

The Repole/Todd Pletcher-trained entry figures to go favored over the Michael Dubb-owned entry of Candyman E and Flat Bold in the eight-horse Toboggan.

Repole claimed Calibrachoa for $40,000 in November 2010. Since then, Calibrachoa has won 4 of 8 starts and earned $334,500 for Repole. Calibrachoa went 3 for 3 over the inner track, including last year’s Toboggan. He has not run since finishing third in the Cigar Mile, where he set the pace. He has proven effective from off the pace as well, including in all three of his inner track sprint victories.

“You can do whatever you want to do with him,” Pletcher said. “It’ll be up to Cornelio [Velasquez] to judge the pace and get where he’s comfortable.”

Repole claimed Caixa Eletronica for $62,500, and the horse won the Grade 3 Westchester at Belmont in his next start. He has won races from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga and most recently won the Rise Jim Stakes by nearly five lengths over the inner track.

“He’s one of those horses that doesn’t surprise me whatever he does,” Pletcher said. “He just loves the game.”

Caixa Eletronica will break from post 2 under Junior Alvarado.

Candyman E has won four straight and 6 of 7 overall, including the Frank De Francis Dash last October. Trainer Tony Dutrow said he doesn’t expect Candyman E to be at his best off the layoff, but the presence of a ton of speed should benefit him. Ramon Dominguez rides from post 7.

Dr Disco makes his graded stakes debut in the Toboggan. He is 5 for 6 over the inner track and 6 for 12 overall. He showed a new dimension by coming off the pace last time out, but has the rail Saturday.

“I don’t think we’re going to push things,” trainer Bruce Brown said. “It looks like there’s a lot of gas in there. I think we’ll do what we did last time, let him break on his own, and if they outrun him, they outrun him. I don’t think I want to get into a crazy speed duel with those other horses.”

J J’s Lucky Train has used his speed from the rail in his last two outs, but now moves to post 6, which may enable him to utilize his preferred stalking style.

Diski Dance could be the primary speed of the race. Flat Bold and Rule by Night are both adding blinkers.

Toboggan S. (G3), Post Time: 3:37 ET Saturday

Purse: $150,000; 6 furlongs