Harlem Rocker skipping Preakness
 

From DRF.

Bummer.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/94470.html

I thought he would have a chance but I am sure NYRA is happy. I really want to see the Casino Drive v Big Brown matchup with a TC on the line. Big Brown is obviously a very talented horse but I am glad he will have to earn his TC if he is to win it. Casino Drive is going to be very tough to beat at that distance against a Big Brown that is probably going to be showing a bit of wear and tear off 3 races in 5 weeks.

Stronach's a joke. . .

As a race track operator, yes. However, with the racing and breeding side of his operation, he does a pretty good job year in and year out. I know they were seriously looking at the Preakness before the Withers, but they are probably doing the right thing for their horse at this point in his career. By a sire, Macho Uno, whose best offspring to date look like milers, it would be asking a lot to rush him into a Triple Crown race with a 13 horse field as his first two-turn race and first attempt over a mile - and I say that as someone who would have liked to see Harlem Rocker take on Big Brown.

The Queen's Plate is run over a synthetic surface, so it makes a lot of sense to run in the Plate Trial to get a race over that surface. Also, I'm not so sure he really beat much in the Withers. To my eye, J Be K ran a race in the Withers very much like his effort at the Fair Grounds. Harlem Rocker ran by, albeit easily, a horse that looked like he wanted no part of a mile.

Did Frank realize that he was doing NYRA a big favor? If so.....thanks.

What does the Preakness got to do with NYRA?

Don't let him know that; he can always change his mind.

You're kidding.....right?

He also did me a favor since I can save money on Preakness tickets this year.

NO, I can't get the connection.

Big Brown will attract the fans because there is supposed to be a triple crown winner this yr. Or so we are to believe.

I get that, but I am confused on Skipping the Preakness making NYRA happy.

It's pretty obvious to everyone else.

because with Harlem Rocker out there is greater likelyhood that Big Brown will come to NY with a Triple Crown on the line. NYRA might like that because it draws people and interest to the Belmont. no?

With the likely biggest obstacle in Big Brown's path removed from the Preakness, it's more likely that NYRA will be hosting a Belmont with a Triple Crown on the line.

OK, I guess I didn't think of HR as a contender, nor anyone else for that matter. But thanks.

Watch the Withers on replay again if you haven't. Might change your mind, and the horse he ran by scared off almost everyone due to his Bayshore performance.

Allow me to offer the true explanation. The NYRA has hegemonic designs on race tracks in neighboring states. There are already parts of New Jersey that might as well be in New York because they're basically New York suburbs. The NYRA, applying blitzkrieg tactics, intends to extend that influence downward, working its way through the midatlantic states until it can engulf its primary objective: Pimlico. By not running HR in the Preakness, the handle there will be down significantly this year, thus economically weakening an already economically fragile Maryland racing establishment, and thus assisting the aforementioned plans by the NYRA for world-wide racing dominance.

Man, I'm impressed. That was beyond pie-worthy.