Denis of Cork breezes at Churchill

LOUISVILLE, Ky. Denis of Cork, the likely third choice for the 140th Belmont Stakes, had his final prerace breeze when going a half-mile in 48.60 seconds over a fast track Monday morning at Churchill Downs.

With his Belmont jockey, Robby Albarado, in the saddle, Denis of Cork galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.60 in what trainer David Carroll had planned as a maintenance work. Denis of Cork had breezed five furlongs on the two previous Mondays at Churchill.

The latest work, said Carroll, was "just something nice to stretch his legs. I was very, very happy with what I saw today. Robby was very careful not to go too fast early. It was just a beautiful thing to watch. Were excited."

In his last start, Denis of Cork, owned by William and Suzanne Warren, closed strongly to finish third in the May 3 Kentucky Derby under Calvin Borel. The Harlans Holiday colt figures as the third wagering choice Saturday in the Belmont behind a pair of unbeatens, Big Brown and Casino Drive.

Denis of Cork and one other Belmont prospect, Macho Again, were scheduled to be flown by charter Tuesday from Louisville to New York.

Macho Again, the Preakness runner-up, had his major prerace work Friday when breezing a half-mile in 48.20 at Churchill. He jogged two miles Monday morning.