Harlem Rocker (foaled April 25, 2005 in Ontario) is a Grade I winning Canadian thoroughbred racehorse.

Harlem Rocker
SireMacho Uno
GrandsireHoly Bull
DamFreedom Come
DamsireLit de Justice
SexStallion
Foaled2005
CountryCanada
ColourGray
BreederAdena Springs
OwnerAdena Racing Venture II
TrainerTodd Pletcher
Record10: 4-2-1
EarningsUS $585,649
Major wins
Withers Stakes (2008) Canadian Classic Race wins:
Prince of Wales Stakes (2008)
Last updated on January 5, 2010

Background

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He was 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.

Racing career

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2008: three-year-old season

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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. He then 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. 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 the colt 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, he finished 4th on the synthetic surface known as polytrack. Todd Pletcher and 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 13, finishing first at the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

Following his appearance in Canada, Harlem Rocker returned to the United States in August to appear at the 2008 Travers Stakes in Saratoga. Going up against one of the largest fields in recent history (12 horses), he finished 4th, beaten out by a nose for 3rd place by Pyro. He next raced in November in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Raceway, the same track where he won the Withers Stakes in April. Harlem Rocker faced a field of nine other horses and battled down the front stretch against Tale of Ekati. Harlem Rocker crossed the wire first in a photo finish but was disqualified to second place due to interference with Tale of Ekati. The stewards deemed that Harlem Rocker's move to the inside rail impacted Tale of Ekati's race.

Following the finish of the 2008 racing season, Harlem Rocker experienced abdominal discomfort and was sent for treatment at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala.

Later career

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He was scheduled to be returned to training in July, but a respiratory ailment was spotted, and he underwent a "tie-back" surgery, or laryngeal hemiplegia to correct the issue.

Harlem Rocker made his return to racing as a 4 year old in November at Churchill Downs where he finished second in an Allowance Race. Harlem Rocker has made his first start as a 5 year old facing Quality Road at Gulfstream Park in the Hal's Hope Grade 3 Stakes Race. He finished in 4th place after being bumped at the start.

Race record

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Date Race Track Location Distance Surface Purse Finish
February 14, 2008 Maiden Special Weight Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida 7 fur. Dirt $40,000 1st
March 30, 2008 Allowance Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida 1 mi. Dirt $42,500 1st
April 26, 2008 Withers Stakes Aqueduct Racetrack New York City, New York 1 mi. Dirt $142,500 1st
June 1, 2008 Plate Trial Stakes Woodbine Racetrack Toronto, Ontario 1⅛ mi. Polytrack $151,781 4th
July 13, 2008 Prince of Wales Stakes Fort Erie Racetrack Fort Erie, Ontario 11/16 mi. Dirt $495,400 1st
August 23, 2008 Travers Stakes Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York 1¼ mi. Dirt $1,000,000 4th
October 5, 2008 Jerome Handicap Belmont Park Elmont, New York 1 mi. Dirt $150,000 3rd
November 29, 2008 Cigar Mile Handicap Aqueduct Racetrack New York City, New York 1 mi. Dirt $300,000 2nd
November 14, 2009 Allowance Optional Claiming Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky 7 fur. Dirt $56,000 2nd
January 3, 2010 Hal's Hope Handicap Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida 1 mi. Dirt $100,000 4th

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Harlem Rocker
Sire
Macho Uno
Holy Bull Great Above Minnesota Mac
Ta Wee
Sharon Brown Al Hattab
Agathea's Dawn
Primal Force Blushing Groom Red God
Runaway Bride
Prime Prospect Mr. Prospector
Square Generation
Dam
Freedom Come
Lit de Justice El Gran Senor Northern Dancer
Sex Appeal
Kanmary Kenmare
Djallybrook
Zee Lady Unreal Zeal Mr. Prospector
Quick Nurse
Try To Be A Lady Sham
Eight Lady

References

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