Patriots' Gronkowski buys into Kentucky Derby 2018 contender
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski's embracing his namesake running in the 2018 Kentucky Derby with an announcement Wednesday that the NFL star is buying into Phoenix Thoroughbreds' contender.
Also named Gronkowski, the colt qualified for the May 5 race at Churchill Downs by winning the Burradon Stakes last month in England. At about that time, Gronkowski told the Wall Streer Journal, "everyone was hitting me up" thinking he already owned the horse.
So in that sense, it made sense for him to look into a share. The report indicated the deal would be announced Thursday, but already Phoenix Thoroughbreds has acknowledged the partnership.
“This horse is a winner and I love a winner,” Gronk (the person) said in the official announcement. “When I heard about the racehorse being named after me, I started watching and got really stoked when he started winning. He’s won his last three races and is now headed to the Derby. I’m all in: Welcome to the Gronk Family, Gronkowski the Horse!"
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Gronkowski has attended the Kentucky Derby before, joining his Patriots teammates in 2015 at Churchill Downs. This time, he plans to arrive a few days early.
“I’ve never dealt with horses,” he told the WSJ. “Hopefully I can get a ride on the horse.”
A son of Lonhro trained by Jeremy Noseda, Gronkowski has won all four of his starts since switching from turf to synthetic. Whether he'll handle dirt -- in addition to 19 rivals and 1 1/4 miles -- remains an unknown. The Burradon was contested over a straight mile.
The Wynn Las Vegas racebook lists Gronkowski as a 45-1 shot.
“I really can’t think of anything cooler than having a top-class thoroughbred named after me," Gronkowski said, "except maybe having him win the Derby.”
“We are very excited to have this talented racehorse running in the Derby and to have Rob Gronkowski join our team,” added Tom Ludt, who directs Phoenix’s global racing and bloodstock operations. “His involvement only adds to our growing credentials worldwide and can help us introduce the best of horse racing to a whole new audience.”