Gronkowski misses work, Jim Dandy still possible

ELMONT, N.Y. – Belmont Stakes runner-up Gronkowski missed a scheduled workout over the weekend, but trainer Chad Brown has not ruled him out of still making the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on July 28.

“Gronkowski had a minor setback out of his work last week that’s just a week-to-week deal,” Brown said. “He missed his work this week, I’m just taking it week to week and seeing when I can get him back on the work tab.”

On June 23, Gronkowski worked a half-mile in 49.24 seconds.

Meanwhile, Belmont Stakes third-place finisher Hofburg worked three furlongs in 36.32 seconds Sunday over the Oklahoma training track. Trainer Bill Mott said he is leaning toward running Hofburg in the $100,000 Curlin Stakes at Saratoga on July 27, the day before the Jim Dandy.

The Curlin is restricted to 3-year-olds who have not won a graded stakes over a mile in 2018.

◗ The $100,000 Saginaw Stakes for New York-breds, part of Sunday’s card that was canceled due to extreme heat, has been rescheduled for July 12.