Francesca Le Donne Photo

G1 Belmont Stakes hopeful Gronkowski puts in first work on Big Sandy

Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited’s Gronkowski put in his first official work since arriving in the United States, breezing four furlongs in 47.99 seconds on Belmont Park’s main track Saturday morning as he readies for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9.

Chad Brown, who took over training duties for the Lonhro colt from European-based trainer Jeremy Noseda, saw Gronkowski work in company with Engage, recording splits of 24 2/5 seconds; 47 4/5 and galloping out in 1:00 1/5, according to NYRA clockers.

“He breezed great. It was his first work for us,” Brown said. “We gave him a couple of weeks to acclimate over here and get used to the main track, and it went better than expected.”

Jockey Jose Ortiz rode Gronkowski wearing a black helmet, having him get a feel for Big Sandy as Gronkowski readies for first North American start after starting his career with four wins in six races running exclusively in Great Britain.

“He was very pleased,” Brown said about Ortiz’s reaction. “It just worked out today that he could come out and work him. He gave me some really good feedback that was positive and helpful for me.”

Working immediately after the morning break for track renovations, Gronkowski stayed to the inside of Engage, a two-time stakes winner who won the 2017 Grade 3 Futurity. Gronkowski has won his last four races, including three to start his 3-year-old campaign, all contested at one mile.

Named for the New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, the equine Gronkowski could make his first American start in the final leg of horseracing’s Triple Crown, held over 1 ½ miles in the “Test of the Champion.”

“Not having had the horse very long, I’m limited to what I can do and what kind of training regimen I can set up,” Brown said. “Based on this unique situation, I set up a plan that I feel is fair to try and get him to the race if he’s fit enough and good enough.

“It takes a special horse to get there, and based on what I saw today, he looked good out there,” he added. “I’m excited to see what he does next weekend. He came to me in outstanding condition. He’s a very sound and easy to transition into what we’re doing here. The horse is smart and all class, he has [the] true signs of a really good racehorse.”