Gulfstream Park
Handicap coverage from
Bloodhorse.com - 3/11/10
"Harlem Rocker, from the Todd Pletcher
stable, has raced just twice since his disqualification from
victory in the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct in
November 2008. He was out for almost a full year when he was
beaten by a head while finishing second in an optional
claiming race at Churchill Downs.
In his only start this year, Harlem Rocker was bumped in the
stretch and tired late when running fourth, seven lengths
behind
Quality Road, in the one-mile Hal's Hope (gr. III) at
Gulfstream Jan. 3. Eibar Coa retains the mount aboard
Stronach Stables' 5-year-old Ontario homebred son of
Macho Uno ."
"Another proven Graded stakes performer in
the field of 11 is Stronach Stable’s 5-year-old Harlem
Rocker with Eibar Coa in the saddle for leading trainer Todd
Pletcher. The roan/gray Canadian homebred by Macho Uno
finished fourth behind Quality Road in the Hal’s Hope Stakes
(G3) here on opening day, Jan. 3, but was likely not helped
by a slow pace working against his closing style.
Harlem Rocker won the Withers Stakes (G2) at
Aqueduct, Prince of Wales at Fort Erie and finished first in
the Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct as a 3-year-old in 2008, but
was disqualified in the latter after finishing a nose ahead
of Tale of Ekati. Harlem Rocker made only one start last
year, beaten a head in a Churchill Downs allowance in
November."
Harlem
Rocker drew post position 7 for the Hal's Hope.
Read Richard Coreno's article on our
News page.
Nominations
for the G3 Hal's Hope, run at Gulfstream Park on Jan
3, 2010 closed on 12/19 (nom
pps). Among the 32 nominees are Anak Nakal,
Bittel Road, Etched, Friesan Fire, Helsinki, Hey
Byrn, Imawildandcrazyguy, Mambo in Seattle, Munnings,
Past the Point, Quality Road, Take the Points,and
You and I Forever.
12/26/09
Kenny Noe, Jr. H. G3, 7F, at Calder.
Nominations closed on 12/12 with 18 (nom
pps). The race is limited to 14 starters
with AEs. Weights will be assigned on 12/19.
(He is not entered)
Harlem Rocker is entered for his return on Saturday,
November 14, at Churchill Downs.
The race is an Allowance Optional Claiming $100K at
7 furlongs, and he is not running for a tag. The
race will not be a walkover, but he does have
somewhat of a weight advantage, by carrying 120 lbs.
High weight is 124 and has been assigned to Cosmic,
Agastache, and King of the Roxy (also running for
Todd Pletcher). HR has been assigned post position
1 and will be ridden by John Velazquez. This will
be the first time that he has not been ridden by
Eibar Coa (who has mounts scheduled at Calder on
that day). It is a good field of horses and we will
be hoping for a good finish for him!
February 2009 - HR has been
sent to the farm and is anticipated to be off
for approximately 30 days. Future racing plans
will formulate after his return to training.
He will not contest the Gulfstream Park Handicap on
March 14.
3/28/09 Dubai World Cup, $6M
Group 1, 1
1/4 mile
and the Godolphin Mile, Nad Al
Sheba, $1M Group 2, 1 mile.
Nominations closed January 7, 2009.
Notification of field selection will be forwarded to
connections in early February 2009.
Nomination form.
1/3/09 Hal's Hope G3, 1M
4up, at Gulfstream Park. Early nominations
closed December 20, 2008 with 39 (nom/pps).
He will not be entered.
11/29/08
Hill 'n' Dale
Cigar Mile G1, 1M 3up, at Aqueduct.
Nominations closed on 11/15 with 26 (nom
pps). Weights to be listed on November 23.
11/15/08 The
Stuyvesant G3, 1 1/8M 3up, at Aqueduct.
Nominations closed 11/1 with 25 (nom
pps). Weights assigned on 11/9 would have
Harlem Rocker at 115 lbs. He will not be
entered.
10/5/08
Jerome Handicap
G2, 1M 3yo, at Belmont Park (nom
pps). Entries close October 3.
Handicap weight sheets have Harlem Rocker listed at
118 lbs.
10/4/08
Indiana Derby,
G2, 1 1/16M 3yo, at Hoosier Park. Entries
close on October 1 (nom
pps) but Harlem Rocker will not enter.
9/20/08
Super Derby ~ Louisiana Downs, 1
1/8M 3yo (did
not enter)
Result - Hal's
Hope Stakes, G3
1/3/10 -
Gulfstream Park, Race 8, 4:43 p.m. EST - 1M, 4 up, $100K purse
Harlem Rocker's return to racing
11/14/09 Churchill Downs
In his return to racing following a
layoff of almost one year, Harlem Rocker
showed improvements from his added
maturity and time off. With ears
pinned, he raced to the wire, only to be
shut out by a head. His running
style seems much improved, as he is
reaching farther and leveling out more
than in the past. It was a more
than creditable effort. Bright
things are ahead!
