Efforts to go global stuck in slow lane

LOUISVILLE, KY. — The inaugural European Road to the Kentucky Derby appeared to be paved with gold when Gronkowski became the first qualifier and Rob Gronkowski, the immensely popular tight end for the New England Patriots, took a financial interest in his namesake.

Five days after the majority owner Phoenix Thoroughbreds announced that Gronkowski had bought in and would take his partying crew to Churchill Downs, there came a painful reminder of how problematic it can be to attempt to add international appeal to America’s premier race.

Gronkowski — the horse — had developed a slight fever, would miss valuable training time and would be unable to make the 21-hour journey from Newmarket, England, to Louisville for the race.

The announcement was doubly painful for track officials because the Japan Road to the Derby had again come up empty since it began two years ago. Owners, after weighing the high cost and extensive travel against their opportunity to win the $2 million race, concluded the Derby was not in their interests or those of their horses.

Mike Ziegler, executive director of racing at Churchill Downs Inc., is undaunted. “We knew all along it was going to take energy and time. It hasn’t discouraged us whatsoever,” he said. “It’s new for us, and we’re learning somewhat as we go. We are optimistic that our efforts are going to pay off at some period of time in the near future.”

The European road has seven races, and the Japan road has three. Points are awarded to the top four finishers in each race, and one starter is selected from each pool. Only the top four point-getters are eligible for consideration. Each series is separate from the 35-race Road to the Kentucky Derby that the track instituted five years ago.

With improvements made in transporting horses spurring more international competition, Churchill Downs wants the Derby to be prominent in that movement. “It’s a top priority for us to grow the Kentucky Derby and the brand internationally,” Ziegler said.

Mendelssohn qualified as an 18 1/2-length winner of the UAE Derby in track-record time at Meydan Racecourse and was seeking to become the first Europe-based starter to win the Derby.

He finished last in the 20-horse field.

Jeremy Noseda, 54, trainer of star-crossed Gronkowski, yearns to make up for a chance that slipped away. “I hope that another opportunity arises before I’m retired and got my feet up,” he said.