The New England Patriots have a clear favorite heading into the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes: Gronkowski. The horse, named after the New England tight end, faces long odds, but he will have the defending AFC champions in his corner.
Rob G. owns a stake in the horse, he announced ahead of the Kentucky Derby. The ownership group said it chose the name because the colt is “big and strong.” Rob is clearly pulling for his namesake.
He is so handsome! Hehe https://t.co/AwEujKd8BP
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) May 23, 2018
Appropriately enough, the horse’s odds at the Belmont Stakes are 69-1. Furthermore, the race will take place on 6/9. The tight end’s love for that number is well-known.
A horse named Gronkowski (after Rob Gronkowski) has been given 69/1 odds to win the Belmont Stakes, a race that takes place on June 9th (6/9) #Nice
— Digital Bob (@price_is_trites) May 23, 2018
What do people expect to happen on 6/9? – The official Gronk National Holidayhttps://t.co/sdqPzZ7fAB
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) May 25, 2018
"Hey Gronk, a horse named after you has 69/1 odds (@BovadaLV) to win the Belmont Stakes." pic.twitter.com/Hkxb19BxqL
— OddsShark (@OddsShark) May 23, 2018
Though he had to skip the 2018 Kentucky Derby due to illness — an infection — the 3-year-old recently engaged in his first official workout since shipping over to the United States from Britain.
It’s unfortunate Gronkowski the horse will not be able to race in the upcoming Kentucky Derby due to an illness. I fully support what is best for the horse. I know he will come back strong and healthy and I am excited to see him race again very soon.
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) April 23, 2018
The colt got a new trainer this May. He was one of several horses taken suddenly from Jeremy Noseda’s Shalfleet stables in Phoenix.
“The Phoenix-owned horses have left Shalfleet,” Noseda wrote on Twitter. “I am shocked and surprised by their decision. I have no reason or explanation for the decision.”
He’ll strive to challenge Justify, who is the heavy favorite after winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Justify is hoping to become only the second horse to win a Triple Crown since 1978.
The 2018 Belmont Stakes will begin in Elmont, N.Y., Friday, June 9, at 6:37 p.m. EST. Coverage will begin at 9 a.m. EST on NBC.
Gronkowski (inside) blowing by with @jose93_ortiz up for Chad Brown on the Big Sandy #BelmontStakes150 pic.twitter.com/NZJuf3GD4k
— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) May 26, 2018
Gronkowski is not the only new horse who will race in the Belmont Stakes. Also be sure to keep an eye on Blended Citizen (14-1). Similarly, Blended Citizen was a scratch from the Kentucky Derby as the horse failed to make the cut. Blended Citizen ran the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes the following week and road to victory. Though a longshot, this newbie could be a fun bet.
Betting Information
BetDSI Sportsbook has released full betting odds for the Belmont Stakes. Check out the lines below.
Justify (4-5)
Hofburg (4-1)
Bravazo (8-1)
Tenfold (10-1)
Blended Citizen (14-1)
Vino Rosso (9-1)
Free Drop Billy (50-1)
Gronkowski (69-1)
