No horsing around, Gronk ponies up for Derby entry
Better order another case of bourbon and pick a few more mint leaves. Better warn Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski. Gronk is coming to Kentucky on Derby day, and there’s nothing Churchill Downs can do about it.
Fun loving New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has purchased a minority share in Derby-bound Gronkowski.
Gronkowski — the tight end, not the horse — announced via Twitter on Wednesday he will be partnering with Phoenix Thoroughbreds Ltd. as his equine namesake runs for the roses: “It’s official..I am part of the Gronkowski team.”
The European-based colt, undefeated through three starts on synthetic surfaces, punched his ticket to Louisville when he won the Burradon Stakes in England. The fact his horse is listed at 80-1 by the Las Vegas Superbook to wear the roses did not hamper the upbeat Gronk.
“The horse is a winner and I love a winner,” he wrote on Twitter.
Owners chose t he name because he was “big and strong.” At 6-foot-5, the horse is only an inch shorter than the Patriots’ Super Bowl champion, but outweighs him by a few pounds. And he’s managed to s tay healthy during the light campaign, unlike the oft-injured NFL star.
“I’ve never dealt with horses before,” Gronkowski told the Wall Street Journal. “Hopefully I can get on the horse some day.”
Gotta think regular rider Jamie Spencer has nothing to worry about. But the sport may never be the same.