Withers Rocks To Harlem Beat

Making his stakes debut, Stronach Stables' homebred HARLEM ROCKER (Macho Uno) rolled past 3-5 favorite J Be K (Silver Deputy) en route to a sparkling victory in Saturday's $142,500 Withers S. (G3). The Todd Pletcher-trained gray, still perfect after three career starts, reeled off the one-turn mile in a sharp 1:34 2/5 on Aqueduct's fast track to herald his arrival on the sophomore scene.

As expected, J Be K set sail for the early lead, and Harlem Rocker was content to settle off the pace in the short field of four. The pacesetter, who was coming off a dominating win here in the Bay Shore S. (G3), dictated splits of :23 4/5, :46 2/5 and 1:09 2/5 while stalked by Double or Nothing (Double Honor). J Be K soon dispatched that rival and held a daylight advantage entering the stretch, but Harlem Rocker was just gearing up for take-off with Eibar Coa. Rapidly overwhelming the favorite in midstretch, the unbeaten colt drew 2 1/2 lengths clear and was well in hand as he crossed under the wire.

"He's still green, but he's one of those improving horses," Coa said. "He's not 100 percent yet, which is kind of scary because he can be better than this. I was a little concerned that he was too close to the pace today, but he took me there himself. At the end, he was playing around because he's still a little green."

Sent off as the 2-1 second choice, Harlem Rocker returned $6.60 and $2.70 and spearheaded the $10.60 exacta (1-2). J Be K paid $2.30. There was no show wagering. Another 7 3/4 lengths back came Double or Nothing, trailed by Face the Cat (Tale of the Cat).

Harlem Rocker made his career debut on February 14 at Gulfstream Park, overcoming a poor start to get up by 1 3/4 lengths. He employed a similarly effective move in a March 30 entry-level allowance at that same venue last time out. With his Withers earnings, he brandishes a bankroll of $139,500.

Bred by Stronach's Adena Springs in Ontario, Canada, Harlem Rocker is the first foal from the multiple stakes-placed Freedom Come (Lit de Justice), who just missed in the Adena Springs Matchmaker S. at Fort Erie in her final season of racing. Freedom Come is a half-sister to Grade 3 victor Boomzeeboom (Explosive Red). They are out of Zee Lady (Unreal Zeal), the winner of the 1995 Astoria S. at Belmont Park. Harlem Rocker has a pair of half-siblings, an unnamed yearling filly by Milwaukee Brew and a 2008 colt by Golden Missile.