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The Harlem
Rocker Dream Team aka The Friends of Harlem
Rocker
Rockin' at Calder on Travers
Day
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The Harlem Rocker
dream team.....Friends of Harlem Rocker |
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With special
appreciation to hostess
extraordinaire Denise Harden for
the fantastic party, reporting,
and photos. Thanks Denise!
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It was a great
day despite the rain on the track (very sloppy track) at
Calder.
There were several "no shows", but those of us in
attendance had a GREAT time.
The group ranged from first timers at the track to hard
core handicappers. We had seats in the Grandstand just
above the owners' boxes-on the finish line. WOW what a
treat. We had our own TV that was switched to Saratoga
for the 10th and 11th Races, despite Calder's 12th race
being so close in time to the start of the Travers
Stakes.
As a part of the "festivities", we started the day with
Lunch for the Bunch....The lunch choices ranged from a
hearty Turkey on Croissant ,Chips, and Pound Cake to the
less healthy, yet just as hearty, Slice of Pepperoni
Pizza (had two of those) and a soft drink.
The more experienced betters gave Betting 101 lessons to
the novices and a trip to the paddock prior to the 1st
race at Calder.
We did have a few who chose to bet Saratoga for the Day.
I'm sorry to say that they missed the $1.5 million
dollar superfecta by a mile. We had one individual who
only bet on the "pink" silks for the day. He came up
50-50 on his bets.
We had one celebrity in the group. Angela Pusateri, aka
"Granny Rapper". I met "Granny" at Harlem Rocker's
second race March 30, 2008. She is now one of his
biggest fans. She sports his Harlem Rocker hat at
most of her appearances.
The Friends of Harlem Rocker T-shirts sparked a lot of
interest from other track goers. These shirts were a
part of the party goers attire for the Harlem Rocker Day
event. The shirt reads-" Friends of Harlem
Rocker- Travers Stakes entry August 23,2008." My shirt
is a little different. It features Harlem Rocker
inside of a heart with the words-" I own a piece of this
"Rock". The picture is courtesy of
Scaredy Cat Films. I was confronted by two
owners, one teller and an outrider regarding where they
could "purchase" the shirt. One owner actually came to
show me the cover of the DRF that featured Harlem
Rocker. His question to me was "Who is he". My reply-
"You'll know when the race is over".
(I actually gave shirts to the outrider and the teller)
We all won on the 6th race- dedicated to the Friends of
Harlem Rocker. The winner was Ikigai, ridden by
Jermaine Bridgmohan (Shaun's younger brother). We
took a winner's circle photo with Jermaine and the
Assistant Trainer. The group shot was taken
immediately following the winner's circle presentation.
We did more screaming during the post parade when Harlem
Rocker was shown on the screen, then we did when he
appeared out of the crowd on the final turn.
The general consensus is that:
a) Harlem Rocker is a Gorgeous horse
b) Harlem Rocker is a good runner
c) His next race will be even more exciting.
Granny Rapper is anxious for him to get back to
Gulfstream, so she and her husband Joe can go "star"
gaze. As she said- " He was IN the race."
The group followed the three rules of a good party:
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
We did all three...... I look forward to our next
outing.
Take care...GO ROCKER GO!!!
-Denise Harden
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