Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Eibar Coa
Owner: Stronach Stables
Breeder: Adena Springs
Harlem Rocker burst onto the Preakness scene after an impressive win in the Withers (gr. III) April 26 at Belmont Park. That win ran his record to an impressive three-for-three following maiden and allowance wins at Gulfstream. Since he didn't make his first start until Valentine's Day, the Derby was never really in his radar, and he has still yet to run further than a mile. He has a nice stalking style that should fit Pimlico very well, but his status for the race is still up in the air pending a workout the weekend of May 10. If he skips the Preakness, the Canadian bred is likely to attempt that country's Triple Crown series.
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/26/08 | Withers (gr. III) | 8 f | 1 | $90,000 |
| 03/30/08 | Allowance @ Gulfstream | 8 f | 1 | $25,500 |
| 02/14/08 | Maiden @ Gulfstream | 7 f | 1 | $24,000 |
| Record: 3 Starts, 3-0-0 | Total Earnings: $139,500 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
Trainer Todd Pletcher, back from Kentucky and at his home base of Belmont Park, said May 5 that Ready's Echo would start in the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr.II) at Belmont May 10. Ready's Echo, a son of the Pletcher-trained More Than Ready, will make his stakes debut in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan.
With the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) 11 days away, the field set to test Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Big Brown continues to change as the connections of some of the top 3-year-olds weigh a start in the middle jewel of racing's Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course.
Stronach Stables' homebred Harlem Rocker caught pacesetter J Be K in mid-stretch and drew clear for a convincing 2 1/2-length victory in the $150,000 Withers Stakes (gr. III) April 26 on the Aqueduct dirt, staying undefeated in three starts.
Todd Pletcher will saddle half of the four-horse field in the $150,000 Withers Stakes (gr. III), but even favorable odds may not be enough to overcome the talent of J Be K, who goes for his fourth win in five starts April 26 at Aqueduct.
| Harlem Rocker | Macho Uno | Holy Bull |
| Primal Force | ||
| Freedom Come | Lit de Justice | |
| Zee Lady |