Gronkowski gets green light for Belmont Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Gronkowski passed the audition.

After his second solid workout in a week, the European import was confirmed by trainer Chad Brown as a starter for next Saturday’s $1.5 million Belmont Stakes.

Gronkowski, with Jose Ortiz up, worked inside of Engage, who is pointing to the Grade 2 Woody Stephens, for the second straight week. Gronkowski broke off about three-quarters of a length in front and led Engage through an opening quarter in 25.90 seconds as the two drew on even terms.

They came home their final three furlongs in 35.97 seconds for a final time of 1:01.87. The pair galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.61 and seven furlongs in 1:27.71. Gronkowski pulled up a mile in 1:42.28. Last week, the pair went a half-mile in 47.91 seconds.

“I thought the horse breezed really well, much like last week,” Brown said. “We did a little more with him. I thought he galloped out with good energy and came back good. There was a little moisture in the track. The track’s heavy still – did it well.”

The Belmont will be Gronkowski’s first start beyond a mile, first start on dirt, and first race since winning the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on March 30. He missed the Kentucky Derby after getting sick a few weeks before the race. Brown received the horse on May 14 after he was transferred from Jeremy Noseda.

“It’s hard to have a real strong handle on the horse from my perspective, but from what I have seen, I have been impressed,” Brown said.

Gronkowski is a Kentucky-bred son of the Australian-based stallion Lonhro, a Group 1 winner at up to 1 1/4 miles in Australia. He is out of the unraced Lookin At Lucky mare Four Sugars.

Gronkowski is owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds and in part by Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots All-Pro tight end for whom the horse is named.

Ortiz, who won last year’s Belmont on Tapwrit, will ride Gronkowski on Saturday.