Gronkowski scores trip to Kentucky Derby with Burradon Stakes win

By way of tiny Newcastle Racecourse in the north of England, Gronkowski is bound for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5.

Friday, Gronkowski won his fourth consecutive race in the $140,000 Burradon Stakes at a mile on Newcastle’s Tapeta surface. The victory clinched Gronkowski’s position as the winner of the European Road to the Derby series with 50 qualifying points. This is the first year of the European series, which encompassed seven races in England, France and Ireland.

Gronkowski, who races for Phoenix Thoroughbreds and trainer Jeremy Noseda, won the Burradon Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths over the longshot Iconic Sunset, the winner of two minor races on the English all-weather circuit.

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Ridden by Jamie Spencer, Gronkowski ($3.80 in American pools) took the lead with a furlong to go in the race on a straightaway course. Dark Acclaim finished third in the field of 10.

Gronkowski, a Kentucky-bred colt by Lonhro, has won 4 of 6 starts. After losing his first two races, which came on on turf, Gronkowski has won on all-weather surfaces at Chelmsford City, Newcastle, and Kempton Park.

The Burradon Stakes was the richest race for Gronkowski, who has never raced on dirt. Gronkowski won the Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes on Polytrack at Kempton Park on March 7, a race that was also part of the European series.

Gronkowski has never raced farther than a mile. The colt is named in honor of the New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Friday at Santa Anita, Tom Ludt, the director of United States operations for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, said Rob Gronkowski may attend the Kentucky Derby to watch his namesake.

Noseda considered starting Gronkowski in an American race such as the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 7, but opted to remain in England for a final attempt at qualifying for the Kentucky Derby.

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