Belmont: Caixa Eletronica preps for Cigar Mile in Bold Ruler

ELMONT, N.Y. − Had he been nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, Caixa Eletronica might be in Kentucky right now preparing for the $1 million Dirt Mile on Nov. 5.

But long ago owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher resisted any temptation to pay a $100,000 supplemental fee to make Caixa Eletronica eligible for the series. Instead, they are pointing him to next month’s Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.

Caixa Eletronica will prep for the Cigar Mile in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Bold Ruler Handicap, the final graded stakes of the Belmont Park fall meet. A field of nine was entered for the Bold Ruler, run at seven furlongs, though Uptowncharlybrown was expected to run in an allowance race at Monmouth Park on Friday.

Caixa Eletronica is coupled with Calibrachoa, who is more of a six-furlong specialist and is not definite to start.

Repole and Pletcher claimed Caixa Eletronica for $62,500 in March at Gulfstream. A 6-year-old horse, he paid instant dividends by winning the Grade 3 Westchester here by three lengths. He finished third in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap in May.

After running sixth in the James Marvin Stakes at Saratoga, Caixa Eletronica won a pair of starter handicaps at Saratoga, one at six furlongs carrying 127 pounds and one at 1 1/8 miles carrying 131 pounds. In his most recent start, Caixa Eletronica finished third by two lengths in the Grade 1 Vosburgh.

“He’s one of those, no matter what you do with him, you can lead him over there, and he gives you all he has,” Pletcher said. “He was a fast-closing third against the best sprinters in the country. He’s a really cool horse that tries hard all the time.”

Rodman, runner-up from off the pace in the Metropolitan Handicap, cuts back to a sprint distance after finishing fourth, beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Flat Out, in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He set the pace that day. Trainer Mike Hushion said he expects him to come from off the pace Saturday.

“My best guess would be he’ll be four to seven lengths off it and hopefully come running,” Hushion said. “He’s always shown he’s a good miler. All good milers could go seven-eighths.”

Justin Phillip and J.J.’s Lucky Train, both 3-year-olds, are dangerous in this spot. Justin Phillip has done his best running at Belmont Park, including a front-running score in the slop winning the Grade 2 Woody Stephens over J.J.’s Lucky Train in June.

Rule By Night comes off a strong effort winning the Duck Dance Stakes going 6 1/2 furlongs here Oct. 9. Sangaree and Flat Bold complete the field.