Francesca Le Donne Photo

Gronkowski back in Grade 3 Discovery

by Keith McCalmont

Phoenix Thoroughbreds' Gronkowski will be looking for his first win in North America when he makes his return in Saturday's 74th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Discovery at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Initially campaigned in England by Jeremy Noseda, the dark bay Lonhro colt rose to fame after winning the inaugural Road to the Kentucky Derby series at Kempton in England, earning Gronkowski a spot in the Kentucky Derby. After winning the Burradon at Newcastle, completing a four-race win streak, it was announced that New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski had bought into his namesake. 

While an infection forced Gronkowski out of the Kentucky Derby, the dark bay returned to action under the care of conditioner Chad Brown in time to race in the third leg of the Triple Crown finishing second in the Belmont to Triple Crown-winning Justify.

Gronkowski was freshened following off-the-board efforts in Grade 1, mile and a quarter events, after running eighth in the Travers and sixth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and will make his return to action in Saturday's nine-furlong test for sophomores.

"He's been training well," said Brown. "I'm hoping the cut back in distance will be okay. He's been training pretty sharp and it seems like the right thing to do with him right now. Hopefully, he'll get a good forward position and go on from there.

"We're just taking it one race at a time right now," he added. "And hopefully get him back in form."

Jose Ortiz will guide Gronkowski from post six.

A compact field of seven for the Discovery includes the formidable Todd Pletcher-trained duo of Life's a Parlay and Bal Harbour.

Owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, Life's a Parlay graduated at second asking on January 27 at Gulfstream Park earning a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.  The bay son of Uncle Mo, who brought $725,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, didn't resurface until October 13 at Belmont when posting a 1 ¼-length score in a seven-furlong optional claiming tilt that earned a 94 Beyer number. Life's a Parlay will race beyond a mile for the first time in the Discovery.

"Every indication in the morning is that he can handle it and I thought he galloped out really well in his last race. Everything points to him having no problems stretching out," said assistant trainer Byron Hughes.

A half-brother to Grade 1 winner Declassify, Life's a Parlay has hinted at being a talented individual.

"We think so. He's definitely shown that in the mornings for us, so hopefully he'll continue to improve in the afternoon," said Hughes.

Luis Saez has the call aboard Life's a Parlay from post two.

Red Oak Stable's Bal Harbour has won four of 10 career starts, including victories in the Sapling at Monmouth and the Smooth Air at Gulfstream last season. 

The First Samurai chestnut was a troubled second in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream Park before a pair of off-the-board efforts in the Grade 3 Withers here at Aqueduct and the Private Terms at Laurel Park. Last out, off a seven-month layoff, Bal Harbour arrived in the final stride to earn a nose score over Discovery rival Title Ready in a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming event at Keeneland.

"Coming in off the layoff he had been breezing well all summer, and he ran a big race at Keeneland. We're hoping he'll improve off that as well," said Hughes.

Although Bal Harbour has raced mainly from off-the-pace, Hughes believes the chestnut has a few gears.

"I think you can put him wherever he's comfortable settling. He's a pretty versatile horse," said Hughes.

Junior Alvarado will pilot Bal Harbour from post seven.

Roaming Union, trained by Kelly Breen for George Hall, arrives at the Discovery on a two-race win streak having captured allowance events at Parx and Keeneland.  The bay son of Union Rags graduated at Aqueduct in spectacular fashion in January when a 12 ¼-length winner at the Discovery distance of nine furlongs. Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the call from post four.

Plainsman, Title Ready and Bon Raison complete the field.

In the seventh race, the $125,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship, trainer Christophe Clement will saddle the formidable duo of multiple graded stakes winner Disco Partner and four-time winner White Flag.

Set to make his first start since finishing third over a yielding turf course in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on November 3 at Churchill Downs, 6-year-old New York-bred Disco Partner, a homebred for owner Patricia Generazio, will look to pick up his third victory from seven starts this year.

"He came out of his Breeders' Cup race in good shape," said Clement. "I thought it was a fair effort despite not running on his preferred ground. Thankfully, we've had some dry weather here over the last week and he is training very well. This will be the last start of the year for him before shipping to Payson Park over the winter, so we'll look to finish strong."

Disco Partner will leave from post nine with Joel Rosario in the irons.

White Flag, a 4-year-old son of War Front for owner Robert Evans, will cut back in distance for the six-furlong Aqueduct Turf Championship following a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on October 6 at Santa Anita Park.

"Unfortunately, he suffered a quarter-crack in his last race, but it's healed since then and he's been training very well," said Clement. "The cut back should benefit him as he's done quite well at sprint distances this year."

Drawing post eight, White Flag will be ridden by David Cohen.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will enter Blind Ambition for the turf and Coal Front if the race moves off the grass.

Unable to draw into the field of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Blind Ambition will make his first start since finishing second to Disco Partner in the Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational on October 6.

"We're excited to get Blind Ambition back to racing," said Hughes. "This is the next spot for him after not being able to draw into the Breeders' Cup and he's training well for it. If the race moves off the turf, we're confident in Coal Front making his first start in a while but he's been training well."

Blind Ambition will depart from post five with Manny Franco.

Hembree, Kitten's Cat, Dubini, Fielder and Axtell complete the field.

First post on Saturday's 10-race card, which also features the $400,000, Grade 3 Long Island as race nine, is 11:50 a.m.