PREAKNESS: Field drops to 12 with Behind demuring

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It's not official yet but it's almost certain to happen now.

Trainer Todd Pletcher can't confirm if Harlem Rocker will start in Saturday's Preakness Stakes until he talks to owner Frank Stronach.

But if the decision were up to the 40-year-old trainer, Harlem Rocker would be in the starting gate against Derby winner Big Brown, Pletcher said after watching the colt work five furlongs in 1:00.10 Sunday morning over Belmont's training track.

"I thought the horse worked extremely well," Pletcher said. "His work this morning was very, very good. I'm going to recommend to the Stronachs that he runs. Obviously it's their decision."

Pletcher hopes to talk Monday to Stronach, who is in Austria.