Gronkowski — human and horse — will meet before 2018 Belmont Stakes

Trainer Chad Brown said it's all systems go for Phoenix Thoroughbred III's Gronkowski one day before the Lonhro colt looks to thwart Justify's Triple Crown bid in Saturday's 2018 Belmont Stakes.

"Everything is good. His training is done now," Brown said. "We've asked him to work twice and I thought he worked real well. I think we put him in good position to give a good account of himself if he's fit enough and can stay the mile and a half. All week, I've been impressed with this horse."

Gronkowski drew post 6 in the 10-horse field and is 12-1 on the morning line. The equine Gronkowski is expected to meet his namesake, New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, Saturday afternoon.

"Hopefully if they named it after me, it's just a beast of a horse, it's fast and it's ready to roll," Gronkowski told Sports Illustrated's Monday Morning Quarterback.

Gronkowski (the horse) will be making his North American debut after posting four wins and a runner-up finish in six starts racing exclusively in England.

Brown, a native of Mechanicville, New York, is a Patriots fan and said Rob Gronkowski's visit to Belmont Park can be good for the sport.

"Anytime we can bring some positive publicity to this great sport we work in, it's a great thing," Brown said. "I really hope this horse has success tomorrow because I think it can be a great thing all around. To meet one of the all-time great tight ends is exciting for me and is a nice little perk."

Brown said all three of his runners in Thursday's Grade 3, $200,000 Wonder Again came out of the race in good order. Significant Form and Mighty Scarlettran second and third, respectively, behind winner La Signare, while Altea was fifth in the 1 1/8-mile stakes on the inner turf on the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival's Opening Day.

Significant Form, who finished one length behind La Signare, and Mighty Scarlett could both be targeting the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks Invitational on Saturday, July 7 during Stars & Stripes Day, Brown said.

"We were disappointed we didn't win the race with one of them, but they all seemed to come out of the race well so now we'll take some time to figure out our next move. The Oaks is definitely a possibility for them, and we'll get something easier for Altea. She didn't run bad, but she really needed to make an impact in the top three to earn her spot. I think she fell just short of that."