Harlem Rocker pensioned by Adena

Young Adena Springs homebred Harlem Rocker, a Canadian classic winner in 2008, has been pensioned following spinal surgery.

The 8-year-old son of Adena stallion Macho Uno stood his first and only season in 2011 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, where Adena stands several stallions, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The following year, however, Harlem Rocker missed the breeding season following surgery to relieve symptoms of spinal cord compression, performed at Cornell University. He returned to Adena's base in Paris, Ky., to recover, and the decision was made to pension him to avoid risk of further injury.

According to statistics on file with The Jockey Club, Harlem Rocker's only crop numbered nine live foals in 2012, from 21 mares bred.

Unraced as a juvenile, Harlem Rocker won his first three career starts in 2008, including the Grade 3 Withers Stakes, before finishing fourth in the Plate Trial. He rebounded to win the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, the middle leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

That would be the final victory for Harlem Rocker. He did cross the line first in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile that fall at Aqueduct, but was disqualified to second for interference with official winner Tale of Ekati. He retired in 2010 with four wins from 12 career starts for earnings of $597,649.

Harlem Rocker is the only winner out of the stakes-placed Lit de Justice mare Freedom Come, a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Boomzeeboom.