December 21, 2024

Belmont Stakes Slideshow: Thursday Training With Photos By Z

Belmont Stakes-runner-up Gronkowski (Photos by Z)

As a Triple Crown hopeful making his first appearance at Belmont Park, Justify was understandably the most popular Belmont Stakes entrant to train on Thursday, but the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner will face nine challengers on Saturday, and photographer Enzina Mastrippolito was on site to capture the moments.

Free Drop Billy was on the flight with Justify from Louisville, and like the dual classic winner had his first spin on the Belmont Park main track.

Preakness Stakes third-place finisher Tenfold (left) walks off the track led by Steve Asmussen’s assistant trainer Scott Blasi (in blue on right)

The Belmont Stakes will be a host of firsts for Gronkowski: first in the U.S., first with trainer Chad Brown, first on dirt, and first beyond a mile.

And, what could a Belmont Stakes post be without a gallery of Justify training?