2018 Kentucky Derby Will Feature Horse Named After Rob Gronkowski in Race

Gronkowski, a horse named after New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, will compete in the 144th Kentucky Derby on May 5 after taking home first place at the 32Red Burradon Stakes in Newcastle, England, on Friday.     

The three-year-old colt has now won three races in a row on synthetic surfaces. 

"We've had this dream, and now the dream is alive," trainer Jeremy Noseda told At The Races. "We'll go to Kentucky and it will be a huge task and a huge ask, but it's what we set out to do. We're going to try and 'Run for the Roses' underneath the Twin Spires. It's always been a dream of mine, and I'm looking forward to it."

Gronkowski's last loss came on turf in October, when he placed second behind Old Persian at the Novice Stakes. 

Now, he'll look to make some noise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, despite not being the most explosive horse in the field.          

"We'll go and sharpen up and get ready for Kentucky now," Noseda added. "We'll need a much better effort, but I'm sure we can do ourselves justice. He hasn't got real gears, but if he can get into a rhythm, he can keep in a rhythm a long time."

No word yet on if the horse's namesake will be in attendance. 

But if he is, history suggests he'll come in style.