Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
FOR WHAT REASON DID GRONKOWSKI ABANDON HIS SLOT FOR THE 2018 KENTUCKY DERBY?
4/27/2018
The horse, Gronkowski, earned his likely start in the 2018 Kentucky Derby by winning the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle in which he earned another 30 points. Prior to this race, he won on March 7, 2018 the Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes at Kempton Park which is 18 miles southwest of central London, England. It was a qualifying race for the Derby offering 20 points to the winner. These two wins gave him a total of 50 points putting him on top of the European Leader Board. Under arrangement with the Kentucky Derby the European horse to accumulate the most points would have a stall in the Derby. Since Medelssohn qualified for the Kentucky Derby by winning the UAE Derby, part of the American races, he left Gronkowski with a clear path to the Derby.
Gronkowski was headed to the Derby until last weekend. He spiked a fever. His managing owners, the Phoenix Thoroughbreds, tweeted on Monday (4/23/18) that Gronkowski’s fever would prohibit him from traveling to Louisville to compete in the 2018 Kentucky Derby.
Horse Racing Nation is predicting that Gronkowski who will miss the Derby will, also, skip the Preakness Stakes. However, it is probable that the “Gronk” will show-up for the Belmont Stakes on June 9, 2018.