Harlem Rocker - PHEW!!!!

Didn't look like a world beater, but came 4 wide, got headed, fought back, and finished strong. Will they think about the Haskell? I wouldn't mind that.

Adena Racing Venture - III

ARV II has been fun. Harlem Rocker (15) has assured me of that, the rest of the bunch... not so much. Anyways, I'm in ARVIII, they asked me at a weak moment when I was hyped up on the Rocker, had some extra cash, and I was intrigued by one mare. Turns out that one mare's first foal might just be the star of Adena Racing Venture III. (I should note that I'm not a full share owner, just a partial one through horsehats.com, and even that I split w/ friends) Lord Justice - The first foal from Buy the Sport who herself as a $1.7million purchase at KEE07 and a Gr I winner. We've got some news from the barn that Todd Pletcher is looking at a baby race in Saratoga on August 2nd, and on top of that working 4f in 48:24 today at Belmont good for 7th out of 67. Not too shabby. Also of ARV note, Harlem Rocker runs in this weekend's Prince of Wales at Fort Erie. I'm cautiously optimistic, though I'm still a little bitter about what could have been. I mean J Be K (95) is going to be a top 5 choice in the BC Sprint if he keeps this up, and we beat him.

Back To Canada for Harlem Rocker

After a recent bullet workout at Belmont it's back on the Canadian Triple Crown trail for the Rocker. His next start will be Sunday July 13th at Fort Erie in the Prince of Wales Stakes. A 1 3/16 mile affair run on REAL DIRT. So, now the question is: Will he like two turns? For me, I'm not sold. Harlem Rocker (15) is a son of Macho Uno, himself a son of Holy Bull, and Holy Bull's offspring just seem to be better sprinting to me. I know I know Giacomo, but overall, sprinters no? I don't have his AWD in front of me, so feel free to correct me (politely). I think it's a good spot. There's not much going Sprinting wise that he'll miss out on going here, and it's only 3 weeks before the Haskell if he does run well. (I'm a homer let me have my day dreams). So, fingers crossed he likes two turns and we'll get to work on the second half of his season. And if you're not doing it already you're missing out: Join our RSS or bookmark this page for some great posts like this one about the UN (coming up weak right now) or this one about the coming demise of breeding. Which I think I'll comment on later this afternoon.

Adena Racing Venture - Harlem Rocker

Harlem Rocker is not going to the Gr I Queen's Plate. To say I'm upset about this is an understatement. I've written about this ad nauseum. I enjoy the ARV, I'm having fun, but Frank didn't do this right. These aren't his horses, they are ours, but he treated them as such. I do not have a problem with pointing to the Queen's Plate. That makes sense: He's a Canadian bred with some of the best beyers in this year's 3yo crop, Canadian or not. It's a million dollar Gr I stallion making race, I'm all for it. I'm against going against your trainer. And, that's what he did. Pletcher was a "go" on running him in the Preakness. Against one of the most dominating winner's of the Derby ever. Pletcher was for it! We didn't strike while the iron was hot. We skipped: The Preakness - Would have been second choice, and can't not believe he would have hit the board. Never thought we'd win this, but the pay check for 2nd or 3rd was pretty nice. The Met Mile - Would have been 2nd or 3rd choice, horse that won, Divine Park ran the same type of race Harlem Rocker would have run. The race that makes stallions, ugh. The Woody Stephens - Won by J be K who we beat in the Withers. We proved our horse didn't like poly in an ungraded 100k stakes race. Bad job. We could have found this out in the Bluegrass, where Samba Rooster a horse we beat finished second.

Shoulda Shoulda Shoulda

We skipped the Gr I Preakness where 2nd was $200k and Dutrow who has been a swami when it comes to predictions was only worried about Harlem Rocker (15), and Todd, who is very conservative, thought it was a good idea. We skipped the Gr I Met Mile where 2nd place was $120k and the winning horse got a 109 Beyer, Harlem's last out Beyer was a 106. He had a win at the course and distance of this race. We are skipping the Gr II 250k Woody Stephens where Harlem Rocker would have been favored. We skipped all these races to run in an UNGRADED $150,000 dollar race where Harlem Rocker had to answer two questions: Could he go 2 turns? & Could he handle the polytrack? The risk to reward ratio on this decision was not good. Harlem Rocker had to win. He didn't. Now we scramble. Do we go to the Plate, and not believe our eyes when we saw a fish swim home in the final furlong? Do we wait until Saratoga and hope he takes to two turns on dirt there? Do we trust his breeding and try and take on older horses in the Sprint category (this is my vote). Thanks to Val for waiting until the last paragraph to lower the boom. ***I should note that I'm just whining. I totally understand that racing decisions are not left to me, and that's probably for the best. Long term this could be the best thing to happen to the colt, though it doesn't look that way now.

Plate Trial

For all things Canadian please check out Jen's Thorough Blog - there's no doubt she's the best. Cool Gator was a noticeable missing entry in yesterday's plate trial gate draw and while Harlem Rocker (15) will be the favorite I'm noticeably nervous. We passed up the Met Mile and the Gr II 250k Woody Stephens for this ungraded 150k Plate Trial. He better win like a 1-5 shot no matter his odds. And this capping will be full of thoughts from the back of my head where every horse is the next Secretariat, so caveat emptor with this analysis. East End Tap is just a maiden winner whose attempts around 2 turns at Woodbine leave something to be desired. However, his speed and fade followed by a solid work make me think he'll hang around a little while longer this time. Not Borboun owned by Fipke is the same owner as Tale of Ekati (165) and adds some more speed to the race. He's a little classier though, sporting in the money finishes 6 out of 8 at WO with 3 wins. His last out, a winning effort was at 150k. He'll be trying two turns for the first time, but sprint-sprint-route is a good racing into shape training technique. Mama's Knight is the first horse I'm not scared of. Chasin the Tornado hasn't broken his maiden, if he wins I'm quitting this blog. Solitaire will be getting on the poly for the first time, and making just his second start. He has been training well in Saratoga and sports three 5f works which I like to see. Bond knows how to take a horse to a race off the layoff and this guy worries me. Harlem Rocker (15) is the Withers winners and skipped the Met Mile where he could have cashed a ticket, and the Gr II 250k Woody Stephens. If he likes two turns and the poly I think he has this race well in hand. Sebastian's Song showed speed and then faded in his first try around two turns and shows two strong works since. Much like East End Tap he should be able to hang around a little longer, and might be able to sit behind the first flight if he's capable of that sort of thing. Pewter just crushed his maiden in his first start as a 3yo and must have matured nicely since 2 real bad efforts as a 2yo. He is also training nicely at Saratoga and sports three 5f works all in the top 5 of the day. Harlem Rocker - Not Bourbon cold exacta.

Shoulda Been Me

This is Divine Park (145) rallying from way back to win the Gr I Met Mile. I was on record as saying that Harlem Rocker (15) should have looked at this race, and now that it's been run I can't say I'd take those words back. Divine Park ran the race that Harlem Rocker would have run and got a 109 Beyer, Harlem ran the one turn mile in the Withers, shut down at the wire to earn a 106. Who can say what could have been, not me, but I bring this up because Harlem Rocker draws in the Plate Trial today. He better like two turns, he better like the synth otherwise we missed a golden oppurtunity.

If it Were Up to Me - Harlem Rocker

Harlem Rocker (15) is skipping the Preakness to run in the Plate Trial it seems. And, while I'm not angry or upset even over skipping the Preakness, I'm not too please w/ the Plate Trial decision. First, you should know (and you probably already do) I know nothing about training/owning/jockeying horses, and this whole post is me stroking my ego. See, I'd rather go to the Met Mile. Plate Trial Pros Easy Spot - I imagine him being top choice, even money or less Trip over the track of the big race will be nice to have in the back pocket Cons So what if he wins? Who will he beat? If he loses do we still go to the Plate? On a loss do we blame the track or the surface? Overall doesn't seem like there's much to gain, but quite a bit to lose. Met Mile Pros Outcome can only be a good thing. He wins against elders that's huge, he loses, doubtful we're the top choice. The field is shaping up light, Bustin Stones (175) is out. Pletcher was a "go" on the Preakness, why wouldn't he be for this. He has a win at a one turn mile in impressive time. Cons The Plate will be our first 2 turn race on that surface - I say why not find out in a Gr I that's the case rather than the Plate Trial where, if you do this, you screw yourself in 2 races. Overall the Met Mile is all about gain with not much if anything on the line. Please go to the Met Mile.

No Preakness for the Rocker

Mr Stronach has decided against the Preakness for Harlem Rocker (15). The focus will remain on the Queen's Plate. Though I'd like to see some talk of the Met Mile now that Bustin Stones (175) is out. I got this information from Adena Racing Venture.

I Wouldn't Say He's Shaking in his Boots

He said "Pletcher's white horse" - Harlem Rocker, the Withers Stakes winner trained by Todd Pletcher - is the only one that concerns him That's Dutrow talking about Harlem Rocker (15) in this DRF article. There is still a fair question to ask about the Rocka: 2 turns. It's a pretty big question. His sire's, Macho Uno, career was cut short after winning sprinting races at 2. His grandsire, Holy Bull, seemed to do his best up to a mile and has sired mostly sprinters, it seems. His dam won sprints, and his damsire also won sprints. Do you see where I'm going here? I'm nervous. But I don't want to see a Triple Crown this year, and I'll do my best to root him home. Any positive comments about the rocka please feel free to leave, give me some optimism. What were his sheet numbers, any chance he can run a 5? That's what Dutrow thinks Big Brown will run.

Harlem Rocker - Preakness Bound?

Just got an email from horsehats.com and basically I have to wait until Saturday. Pletcher is going to work the colt then and if he's deemed fit, happy, and healthy we'll be going ot the Preakness. I think Frank always wants a good horse with a good chance to win a race in his backyard and Harlem Rocker (15) more than fits the bill. I'm hoping that Tres Borrachos or Kentucky Bear or someone in the stands (it's not unheard of) try and put some pressure on Big Brown (300). Harlem Rocker and his 103 Beyer have shown he doesn't need pace to run at, he's a late runner for sure, but he has run quick times and caught some decent front runners (Samba Rooster (80) was 2nd in the Bluegrass). I'm hoping for Deja vu all over again. Desormeaux on a horse who cost a lot of money who was seen as unbeatable only to be beaten by a horse owned by the house. (Fusaichi Pegasus vs Red Bullet). Thanks to ARVII (Adena Racing Venture) for making this possible, I'm pretty sure me and my daughter will be going down to Baltimore for the race. Is it like the Belmont where I can just get general admission at the gate or is it too late for me to buy a ticket?

Harlem Rocker - Wither's Winner

Poor J Be K didn't know what passed him, it must have been just a flash of white. Eibar asked Harlem Rocker (15) once at the eigth pole, and I'm not sure how he asked him: was there a please, was it more of a demand, did he threaten his dam? Either way he got a resounding burst of speed from the son of Macho Uno and it now on the TBA standings w/ 15 points. I haven't heard from Adena about his plans, but with a co-year high 3yo Beyer of 103 some races might fall into the picture. Some that I've heard discussed by talking heads not connections: The Met Mile is May 26th and will feature TBA sprint leader Bustin Stones (175); didn't Holy Bull his grandsire win this race in his 3yo season? The Preakness will most likely depend on who and how someone wins the Derby, but I wouldn't be against it as I think he could hit the frame on a slightly watered down field and we could see how he does around 2 turns with little to no pressure if the favorite scares everyone away. The longer term goal is still the Queen's Plate, and the question of two turns and a synthetic surface still need to be answered.

Finding Common Ground

If there's one thing we can agree on, in this month of picking 20 different horses, it's that Harlem Rocker is the greatest horse not running the Kentucky Derby. For those of you new around here, I'm a part-part-part owner of this horse through the ARVII syndicate, ARVIII starting soon, through Horsehats. He's one of the top 5 earning sons of Macho Uno and gets his first try at the stake level tomorrow in the Gr III Withers. Harlem Rocker - Beast. His second race was a much better experience than the first and both were winners. He broke cleaner, ran in the stretch straighter, and while Eibar nearly choked him to death in the final sixteenth, it was a good learning race. I expect a top 2 finish here. J Be K (25) - The main threat. Why did he do so bad in the LaDerby? Hot pace, maybe, distance, maybe. Either way a one turn mile in a 4 horse field shouldn't harm him too much. I'm hoping the distance gets him and Double or Nothing pushes things a little bit. Double or Nothing - A great 50k claim by Dutrow for Sandy Goldfarb also making his stakes debut. I have to think though this horse is coming for an automatic paycheck. Face the Cat (35) - Pletcher's other horse was crushed in the Fl Derby after being caught way wide. Only Barbaro and Big Brown (120) have proven they can come from there. I like his chacnes and I remember had created a little buzz for himself after defeating Nistle's Crunch. 4-3-2-1 (fingers crossed)

Harlem Rocker - Withers Nominations

You can read it right here. Harlem Rocker is taking on stakes caliber horses 4/26 at Aqueduct. "We're likely to be facing J Be K, Face The Cat, Kodiak Kowboy, Larrys Revenge, and Majestic Warrior who all have the experience edge on us", says David, who runs ARVII through horsehats.com. But I, like him, like our chances. The Rocka has passed both maiden, and alw company in fine order. The goal will still be the Queen's Plate after this race, so all I'm expecting is a good break, a nice run around the turn, pass horses in the stretch, and run through the wire. He does that and finishes top half, I'm cool with that.

Queen's Plate is the Goal

Well it's official. Just got an email from Adena: Harlem Rocker's goal is the Queen's Plate. And why not, with a 95 Beyer in his last he's definitely that caliber horse. Though the two turn question has to be answered. And that might be answered in his next start. As long as he remains healthy some goals could be the Lexington 4/19 , Derby Trial 4/26, or Withers 4/26. Do good there and he might warrant a start in the Preakness!!! You know as long as Big Brown ain't in any of those three he has a legit shot of going to Pimlico. So count me SUPER PUMPED UP!

Harlem Rocker

Pretty as a picture, well it is a picture, you get my point. Click for the big version, it's super crisp.

Tha Rocka!!!! Harlem Rocker

As a coupled entry 3-5 on the morning line seemed about right. Both were winners, both had good numbers, and they had contrarian styles. When Rocka's stablemate scratched and Rocka was still 4-5, I was like, "Oh my, he's the real deal, they were betting him." He broke A LOT more professionally and Eibar eased him to the back w/ no fighting (good) He made his move around the turn (great) Didn't tire in the stretch at all (oh yeah) And was strangled to a standstill once he got to the lead before the line (What the f?) 2 things. Eibar was either teaching this horse to pass horses in the stretch and then stop (Please god, don't let that be true) or the trainer was so confident before the race that the instructions were to make sure he came home under wraps, and Eibar took that to heart a little too much. Either way I'm ecstatic with the 93 Beyer and wondering what's next. (And kind of hoping they work him in company at make sure he knows how to pass horses and keep on going). 3 weeks to the replaced Holy Bull with Big Truck likely or as Eddie D points out maybe the Derby Trial, but that's 7.5 furlongs a step back in distance. The Holy Bull would be too close (2 weeks). I'm hoping for a start at Keeneland. If the goal is the Queen's Plate I'd like to see how he handles the fake stuff first. Looking at his long stride and sort of high action I don't think it will be a problem. Good luck to me. Late June I'll be in Toronto fingers crossed.

Big Race at GP... This SUNDAY?

Yep, you heard right. Sunday. That's the day Queen's Plate hopeful Harlem Rocker will be making his sophmore showing in a 1 mile allowance. In his first race The Rocka (as I refer to him w/ friends) broke out of the gate like a drunk leaving a bar, but steadily progressed through the field up the back stretch taken 3 wide (I remember it being more like 15 wide) in the turn and pulling away in the last sixteenth. This big son of Macho Uno will look to repeat that performance. The pressure is definitely on being that his morning line is 4-5. He is paired with Barreling Home a last out winner himself. Knowing that the strip will be playing super fast and favoring front runners I'm hoping for a clean break and sharp turn of foot home. In the money definitely expected from this partial partial partial owner. PP's are free thanks to Todd P here.

A Ghost on the Grass

I'm still riding the high of Harlem Rocker (Thta's him after the win. He looks a lot like his dad if you ask me) putting 7 other horses to shame yesterday. I'm figuring the 2 that didn't run knew what was up with the Rocka and thought it best to skip town. The party doesn't end yet as ARV has 2 more racing this weekend. Powerful Storm who looks a little "plodderly" (new word; patent pending) races Saturday at Turfway. Fingers crossed he gets into contention a little quicker this time. The big race this weekend will be Sunday when Holy Knight races at GP in a 42 MSW on the Grass. Who is Holy Knight you ask? He's just a half brother to Ghostzapper by Sligo Bay who generated a little buzz on DRF a while back. No word from ARV on what to expect, but I'm setting realistic goals: New track record and booking a flight for the ARC.

BIG WINNER!!!!!!

That's right, check it out!!! Harlem Rocker, one of six horses I own through Adena Racing Venture via Horsehats.com won today AT FIRST ASKING! (Get used to the exclamation points and cap letters, I don't do it ALL THE TIME so just give me a break!!!) I was told the connections weren't expecting a win, just a good showing. HOWSABOUT pulling away in the stretch like a damned locomotive. Oh Yeah. Not sure where he'll go next, but I'm thinking Fountain of Youth and then the Derby. 9.20!!!! You know how much I had him on him.... wait for it...... wait for it..... $0.0 Take that to the bank!!!