Preakness Winner Curlin Possible for Belmont

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Preakness Stakes winner Curlin remains on target for the Belmont Stakes on June 9 after the Smart Strike colt turned in an easy five-furlong breeze at Churchill Downs on Monday.

"I was very pleased with him," Asmussen said. "I just try to be pretty rhythmic with where we’re at with him. I feel that the familiarity for him with what we’re doing keeps his state of mind where we want it to be — nice and relaxed. With everything that’s been asked of him over a short period of time, I want to keep everything as close to normal as I possibly can."

Asmussen indicated that Curlin would breeze a half-mile next Monday and is scheduled to fly to New York the next day, June 5.

Street Sense stepped onto the track about a half-hour after Curlin's work. James Tafel's homebred son of Street Cry jogged six furlongs and galloped one mile under regular exercise rider Mark Cutler.

Trainer Carl Nafzger said a final decision on a possible Belmont Stakes bid for America's reigning 2-year-old champion would be made by Wednesday.

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