HARLEM ROCKER - BIG BROWN'S BIGGEST NEMESIS? - Horse Racing Forum - PaceAdvantage.Com

menifee · 05-05-2008, 01:57 PM

This was a nice race. He received a 106 for this race. I hope they run him in the Preakness. I know it was a small field and he towered over the competition, but J Be K is a nice sprinter and he went by him very quickly. This is a good horse and a nice horse came out of the Withers a few years ago and won the Preakness...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8kYft1wY3ls

http://youtube.com/watch?v=TcC3hCMoUFQ

Stevie Belmont · 05-05-2008, 02:06 PM

Harlem Rocker's last race was impressive. Real nice stride and gobbled ground to win. He looks like Big Browns biggest threat right now. He looked a lot better then everyone who finished behing Eight Belles.

broadreach · 05-05-2008, 02:15 PM

Good win. Looked to be struggling on turn then picked up strong.

FunkyMonkey · 05-05-2008, 02:18 PM

I think he's being pointed to canada's version of the triple crown...so, unless things change he's unlikely to run against BB any day soon. Either way, BB would probably crush him. just my humble opinion.

However, this raises an interesting potential topic of discussion:

Excluding the 3 YOs who have already run in a major stakes race, is there anybody out there (likely undefeated in ALW company and/or minor stakes) that might be a potential late blooming 3yo that can challenge for top honors? Just wondering whether anybody has been following any 3yos currently under the radar...

Bruddah · 05-05-2008, 02:39 PM

I touted Tomcito the Peruvian horse earlier. He is a distance runner and could possibly give BB a challenge in the the Belmont. Eventually, BB is due a "bounce" and it just might be in the Belmont. If so, Tomcito, if entered could very well upset. This is an early longshot opinion. but, if it happens, it won't be considered "red boarding".

ny0707ny · 05-05-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyMonkey

I think he's being pointed to canada's version of the triple crown...so, unless things change he's unlikely to run against BB any day soon. Either way, BB would probably crush him. just my humble opinion.

However, this raises an interesting potential topic of discussion:

Excluding the 3 YOs who have already run in a major stakes race, is there anybody out there (likely undefeated in ALW company and/or minor stakes) that might be a potential late blooming 3yo that can challenge for top honors? Just wondering whether anybody has been following any 3yos currently under the radar...

I would like to know also if anyone knows of anyone. I think out of the Derby crop though Colonel John still has the most potential. IF he can win big on dirt. He is bread for longer distances I think for sure.

OTM Al · 05-05-2008, 02:52 PM

Tomcito may be inetersting come Belmont time. Casino Real is on the property as well and we know what his siblings did the last two years in the race (though Jazil's was a fairly weak renewal)

ny0707ny · 05-05-2008, 02:54 PM

I didn't think much of Tomicto. He would have to get much better.

OTM Al · 05-05-2008, 03:02 PM

Could have said the same thing about Birdstone a couple years ago too. If Big Brown gets attacked the way Smarty Jones did, it is just such a horse that will come down the lane with a nice consistant pace.

onefast99 · 05-05-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTM Al

Could have said the same thing about Birdstone a couple years ago too. If Big Brown gets attacked the way Smarty Jones did, it is just such a horse that will come down the lane with a nice consistant pace.

Attacked? Elliott set unheard of fractions, SJ didnt have the tools that BB has. he can come home in front or run them down if need be. BB is by far the best of this years group no one will touch him, no one.

ny0707ny · 05-05-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onefast99

Attacked? Elliott set unheard of fractions, SJ didnt have the tools that BB has. he can come home in front or run them down if need be. BB is by far the best of this years group no one will touch him, no one.

Smarty Jones if I remember went too fast during the first part of that race. Nobody was near him. He should have went much slower and have some left for the end run. Birdstone was nothing that great, it is just that he won off Smarty Jones tiring out.

OTM Al · 05-05-2008, 04:47 PM

I'm not going back to that argument but I will just say Eddington and leave it at that.

classhandicapper · 05-05-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie Belmont

Harlem Rocker's last race was impressive. Real nice stride and gobbled ground to win. He looks like Big Browns biggest threat right now. He looked a lot better then everyone who finished behing Eight Belles.

I hate to say something like this right now, but I think Eight Belle's 2nd had as much to do with the fact that none of the colts moved forward and reached an "average" level of performance the way you would expect as it did with Eight Belle's performance. She sort of defaulted in by just being a very good filly (it was a terrible loss though).

cj · 05-05-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTM Al

I'm not going back to that argument but I will just say Eddington and leave it at that.

I mentioned the same thing in another thread...this is from an NBC article I found for those with apparently short memories on this subject:

Quote:

Smarty’s reputation as one of the strongest Triple Crown candidates in years worked against him, as both Rock Hard Ten and Eddington pressured him in the early stages of the 1 1/2-mile marathon, the longest of the three Triple Crown races.“We thought the only way we could beat Smarty Jones was to bring the race at him,” said Mark Hennig, trainer of Eddington, who finished fourth, a dozen lengths behind the winner.

The tactic worked, though not for those who employed it. Smarty Jones withstood challenges from Eddington and Rock Hard Ten after he stuck his nose in front halfway up the backstretch, then he put them away turning for home.

Semipro · 05-05-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTM Al

Could have said the same thing about Birdstone a couple years ago too. If Big Brown gets attacked the way Smarty Jones did, it is just such a horse that will come down the lane with a nice consistant pace.

Baily may come out of retirement and convince Bob Black jack's connections he can win so he can wreck BB so he can't win the triple crown. He Damn sure used his horse to insure Smarty didn't do it. I lost alot of respect for him personnally in this race because his intent was clear to me and I don't think he could stand the thought of a Jockey like Stu winning the Triple Crown and there was some others in on the conspiracy.