Belmont Clocker: Gronkowski, Blended Citizen work

ELMONT, N.Y. – His name may be the most recognizable of any of the prospective starters for this year’s Belmont Stakes. No, not Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Justify, but the European invader Gronkowski, the namesake of NFL All-Pro Rob Gronkowski who worked for the first time Saturday since joining Chad Brown’s barn here earlier this month.

Gronkowski was one of two 3-year-olds who could foil Justify’s attempt to win the Triple Crown to work Saturday at Belmont. He was joined by Blended Citizen, impressive winner of the Grade 3 Peter Pan in his local debut May 12.

Gronkowski got some talented company – 3-year-old Engage – for a workmate Saturday, and Gronkowski more than held his own with the graded stakes-winning sprinter. Breaking off at the half-mile pole, the duo turned for home on even terms after an easy 24.28-second quarter-mile split and remained well matched to the wire, neither asked at any point. They completed the distance in 48.07 with Gronkowski, Jose Ortiz aboard, slightly best nearest the rail. They then continued down the home straight, showing excellent energy on the gallop-out, getting five-eighths in 1:00.51 before pulling up three-quarters into the clubhouse turn in a respectable 1:14.02 over a strip that appeared a bit slower after the renovation break then it had when training began about three hours earlier.

Tough to make a call off one half-mile work, although Gronkowski, a turf and synthetic specialist, appeared to handle the new footing without issue while keeping pace readily with the Grade 2 Woody Stephens-bound Engage. We should get a better idea where he stands when he is given the opportunity to do a bit more next weekend.

Didn’t expect to see Blended Citizen do too much two weeks removed from his victory in the Peter Pan, but the Doug O’Neill trainee certainly made a very favorable impression cruising through an easy-as-can-be half-mile in 24.10 and 47.70. He cruised throughout before nudged a tad to gallop out five-eighths in 1:00.60, breezing over a track that did seem to play a bit quicker during the early morning hours. Although his best efforts to date have come on dirt, Blended Citizen does have the action of a horse who would seem to prefer turf.

Other notable workers on Saturday’s tab at Belmont included reigning 2-year-old filly champion Caledonia Road and Grade 1-winning turf specialist Sadler’s Joy.

Caledonia Road, prepping for the Grade 1 Acorn, was given a target in stablemate Adorable Song, breaking six lengths back at the five-furlong pole before readily overtaking and pulling away through the stretch after an easy five furlongs in 24, 36.08, and 59.80, while kept well off the rail by her regular exercise rider, Heather Smullen. Caledonia Road galloped out willingly, six furlongs in 1:12.62, despite drifting out when eyeing a galloper to her outside shortly past the finish line.

Sadler’s Joy did little more than stretch his legs over the main track, going an easy four furlongs in 51.80 with jockey Javier Castellano aboard.