Follow along with Amer Abdulaziz for a behind-the-scenes look at the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes featuring cameos by New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, late night comedian Jimmy Fallon, and more!
Unbeaten chestnut colt Justify was a unanimous choice atop the year's final NTRA Top 3-year-old Poll.
The talented group that tried to end Justify's quest for the Triple Crown appeared to exit the final leg of the 3-year-old classics in good order, with decisions ahead for the rest of their campaigns.
There was one horse who was a threat to Justify's Triple Crown bid at the top of the Belmont Park stretch. It was the colt named after the football player.
Justify set the pace and held off Gronkowski late to win the Belmont Stakes (G1) and clinch the Triple Crown.
The report from Barn 1 on the Belmont Park backside is in—Justify is ready to go.
Claire Crosby reports on Justify's final preparations for the Belmont Stakes. Also appearances from Free Drop Billy, Gronkowski, Blended Citizen, and Hofburg.
But first and foremost, I am sticking with my No. 1 ranked Kentucky Derby horse Vino Rosso, who had virtually no chance at Churchill Downs.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.
If the unexpected transpires and the first loss of Justify's career happens to come Saturday, Gronkowski would be a shocker to play the role of conqueror, but a popular one nonetheless.
Claire Crosby provides updates on Belmont Stakes (G1) contenders Bravazo, Vino Rosso, Noble Indy, Blended Citizen, Gronkowski, and Tenfold who made morning appearances to the track in preparation for the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Justify's attempt to become the 13th horse to sweep the American classics will commence June 9 out of the inside post position, with the son of Scat Daddy deemed the 4-5 morning-line favorite over nine challengers.
Phoenix Thoroughbreds' Gronkowski put in his final timed workout for the June 9 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) when he went five furlongs in 1:01.87 June 2 on Belmont Park's main track.
Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited's Gronkowski put in his first work for trainer Chad Brown May 26, when he went four furlongs in :47.99 over Belmont Park's main track in preparation for the June 9 Belmont Stakes (G1).
Stakes winner Gronkowski is set to be transferred from Newmarket-based trainer Jeremy Noseda to the barn of two-time Eclipse Award winning-conditioner Chad Brown, Tom Ludt of owner Phoenix Thoroughbreds confirmed May 8.
While an ill-timed illness knocked him out of consideration for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), the connections of stakes winner Gronkowski plan to point him to the Belmont Stakes (G1).
Phoenix Thoroughbreds' Gronkowski has incurred a slight infection and will miss his scheduled start in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), his connections announced April 23.
Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Quip will bypass the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and point for the Preakness Stakes (G1) instead, trainer Rodolphe Brisset confirmed April 23.
NFL star Rob Gronkowski partnered with the equine Gronkowski's owner to acquire a minority stake in the 3-year-old colt, who won the March 30 32rRed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle and secured an invitation to the first leg of the Triple Crown.
Because a pair of international races could generate several Kentucky Derby starters, this weekend's points races will be the most important weekend in determining where this year's Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points bubble will fall.
A late change in racing plans didn't bother Gronkowski as the Kentucky-bred son of Lonhro rallied to a clear victory in the Burradon Stakes March 30 at Newcastle.
Trainer Jeremy Noseda has changed course on his plans for Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contender Gronkowski, who will not be shipped to the U.S. for a prep race but instead will start in the Burradon March 30 at Newcastle.
When Gronkowski was purchased out of last year's Tattersalls Craven breeze-up sale for the equivalent of $404,492, it marked the Lonhro colt's third time to change hands at public auction.
A year after Kerri Radcliffe made a big splash by buying expensive 2-year-olds in training on behalf of the newly-formed Dubai-based Phoenix Thoroughbreds, she and the organization have parted ways, both confirmed March 9.
The connections of Gronkowski plan to ship him to the United States for a start on dirt in one of the country's biggest preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Should the weather cooperate this time around, Phoenix Thoroughbred's Kentucky-bred Gronkowski will be favored to pick up some qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby when he starts in the March 7 Road to the Kentucky Derby conditions stakes.
Bitter cold and snow from the capriciously named winter storm forced abandonment of all English racing March 1, including the Road to the Kentucky Derby conditions stakes at Kempton, a European Road to the Kentucky Derby points race.
A key step on the "European Road to the Kentucky Derby" has fallen victim to "The Beast From the East"—bitter cold and snow sweeping in from Russia to complicate life in the British Isles.
Billed as an investment fund focused on Thoroughbred racing, Phoenix Thoroughbreds is off to a spectacular start with leading Kentucky Oaks candidate Dream Tree and Kentucky Derby hopefuls Mourinho and Gronkowski.
