Mr. Brix Pays Off in Caixa Eletronica at Aqueduct

Owner Joseph Besecker and trainer Claudio Gonzalez dug deep in their pockets to claim Mr. Brix for $50,000 at Laurel Park in October, but the investment proved worthwhile March 30 when the 5-year-old gelding won the $80,000 Caixa Eletronica Stakes, the last and richest of the 10 Claiming Championship races at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The 10 races were starter stakes for horses who had run for claiming tags in 2018 and 2019, with the seven-furlong Caixa Eletronica open to horses who had started for a claiming price of $40,000 or less during that period.

Mr. Brix fit into that condition, racing for a $25,000 tag early in 2018 and then running in a mix of optional claimers and stakes since the claim. He had won his previous start in a $50,000 optional claimer at Laurel by 2 3/4 lengths.

Mr. Brix ($21.80) was seventh in the field of 10 in the opening quarter mile of the Caixa Eletronica, but mounted a strong rally along the inside entering the stretch and grabbed a half-length lead at the eighth pole en route to a 1 1/2-length triumph under jockey Kendrick Carmouche.

"Claudio wanted me to get outside with this horse because he thinks he runs better outside. But I had such a good position going down the backside, I just wanted to sit on the rail. The rail wasn't good all day, but then it got hot throughout the day. I got lucky, got through the rail and won the race," Carmouche said.

Mr. Dougie Fresh was second and Hoffenheim finished third behind a final time of 1:24.32.

In the day's other action:

• The $45,000 Belle Gallantey Stakes went to Danny Chen's Not About the Nail ($7.10), who drew off to a seven-length victory for trainer Ed Barker.
• Prestine Racing's Archumybaby ($16) prevailed by a head over Summer Punch to give trainer Gary Gullo a victory in the $55,000 Videogenic Stakes.
• Owner/trainer Rudy Rodriguez posted a sentimental victory, sending out heavily favored Its All Relevant ($2.40) to take the $45,000 Dads Caps Stakes. Rodriguez trained Dads Caps and won the Carter Handicap (G1) in 2014 and 2015 with the son of Discreet Cat.
• Bon Raison ($3.20) pulled away in the stretch and registered a four-length win in the $70,000 Peeping Tom Stakes.
  Daria Angel ($5.60) was on or near the lead throughout in posting a 4 1/2-length victory in the $60,000 Sis City Stakes. The victory was the 13th for trainer Rob Atras in 28 starts at the meet.
• H Man ($8.80) found a seam along the inside and scored a 1 3/4 lengths triumph in the $55,000 Kelly Kip Stakes for trainer Jason Servis.
• No Deal ($6.80) dropped back to last in the field of six and surged to a three-quarters-of-a-length victory in the $75,000 Xtra Heat Stakes. The homebred 4-year-old filly is trained by Phil Serpe.
• Potomac ($15.40) wore down Haul Anchor in the final strides to take the $60,000 More To Tell Stakes by a head
• Turco Bravo ($7.50) proved best in the marathon 1 3/8-mile $75,000 Stud Muffin Stakes, beating 30-1 shot Cause I'm Alex by a length. The 10-year-old gelding, trained by Mertkan Kantarmaci, won a trio of 2016 stakes: the Birdstone, Full Out, and Stymie.