Curlin has final Belmont drill

Curlin, who won the Preakness Stakes and is expected to be a heavy favorite in the 139th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, worked a half-mile in 50.60 seconds on Monday morning at Churchill Downs in his final work for the Belmont.

Carmen Rosas, his regular exercise rider, was aboard for the drill.

"He went nice and smooth," Steve Asmussen, the trainer of Curlin, said from Churchill Downs. "For a horse who's going to be going a mile and a half, we want to keep him relaxed and fluid, and that's what he's showing us."

In addition to Curlin, the Belmont field is expected to include Hard Spun, Imawildandcrazyguy, Slew's Tizzy, Tiago, and the longshots Digger and Time Squared. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he would not decide until Tuesday on whether to run the filly Rags to Riches or Circular Quay, but said Rags to Riches is the most likely of the two to run.