Harlem Rocker

Thoroughbred racehorse infobox
horsename = Harlem Rocker


caption =
sire = Macho Uno
grandsire = Holy Bull
dam = Freedom Come
damsire = Lit de Justice
sex = Stallion
foaled = 2005
country = Canada flagicon|Canada
colour = Gray
breeder = Adena Springs
owner = Adena Racing Venture II
trainer = Todd Pletcher
record = 7: 4-0-1
earnings = US $511,749
race = Withers Stakes (2008)

Canadian Classic Race wins:
Prince of Wales Stakes (2008)
awards =
honours =
updated = October 6, 2008

Harlem Rocker (foaled April 25, 2005 in Ontario) is a Grade I winning Canadian thoroughbred racehorse owned by Adena Springs Racing Venture, a partnership headed by Frank Stronach. He was bred by Adena Springs at their Aurora, Ontario division. He is the son of Macho Uno who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 2000.

Harlem Rocker has been ridden exclusively by Jockey Eibar Coa and is trained by Todd Pletcher.

Harlem Rocker's racing career began at Gulfstream Park where, after stumbling out of the gate, he rallied on the front stretch to win his maiden race. This race introduced us to Harlem Rocker as the Gray Closer, a horse who stalks the early speed and then upon reaching the front stretch, unleashes his speed to catch, and hopefully pass, the front runners.

After his maiden win, Harlem Rocker finished first in an Allowance Race, also at Gulfstream, in preparation for a start in the Grade III Withers Stakes. Harlem Rocker won the Withers on April 26, 2008 over a field of 3 other horses, including favorite J Be K. Having won his first three starts, there was much speculation that Harlem Rocker would follow the path of Bernardini (2006 Preakness Winner), and challenge Big Brown in the 2008 Preakness Stakes. However, owner Frank Stronach decided to direct Harlem Rocker towards the Queen's Plate, the first of three races that make up the Canadian Triple Crown.

Harlem Rocker raced in the Plate Trial at Woodbine Racetrack, a prep race for the Queen's Plate. Going in as the betting favorite, Harlem Rocker finished 4th on the synthetic surface known as polytrack. Todd Pletcher and Owner Frank Stronach then decided that Harlem Rocker was not suited to the artificial racing surface and that the Queen's Plate would not be in his best interest.

After shipping back to Belmont Park to train with Todd Pletcher, Harlem Rocker returned to racing on dirt July 13th, finishing first at the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

Racing career

Pedigree

Pedigree
name = Harlem Rocker
f = Macho Uno
m = Freedom Come
ff = Holy Bull
fm = Primal Force
mf = Lit De Justice
mm = Zee Lady
fff = Great Above
ffm = Sharon Brown
fmf = Blushing Groom
fmm = Prime Prospect
mff = El Gran Senor
mfm = Kanmary
mmf = Unreal Zeal
mmm = Try To Be A Lady
ffff = Minnesota Mac
fffm = Ta Wee
ffmf = Al Hattab
ffmm = Agathea's Dawn
fmff = Red God
fmfm = Runaway Bride
fmmf = Mr. Prospector
fmmm = Square Generation
mfff = Northern Dancer
mffm = Sex Appeal
mfmf = Kenmare
mfmm = Djallybrook
mmff = Mr. Prospector
mmfm = Quick Nurse
mmmf = Sham
mmmm = Eight Lady|

Reference

* [http://www.pedigreequery.com/harlem+rocker Harlem Rocker's pedigree]
* [http://www.scaredycatfilms.com/adena/HarlemRocker/index.html Harlem Rocker Training and Race History]