Kent Desormeaux out of rehab, ready for Belmont Stakes

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:12 a.m. ET

foxsports

NEW YORK (AP) Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux has returned from a drug and alcohol rehab center and was aboard Preakness winner Exaggerator for a morning workout at Belmont Park.

The 46-year-old rider on Tuesday acknowledged those who helped him through his struggles.

With his brother Keith, Exaggerator's trainer, by his side, Desormeaux said: ''I think that my brother, mostly my wife, and my family have supported me through all the years, and it was my turn to say thank you.''

Exaggerator is expected to be the favorite in a field of 13 for Saturday's Belmont Stakes.

After winning the Preakness on May 21, Kent Desormeaux returned to California. His last day of riding was on May 30 before he checked into Cirque Lodge in Sundance, Utah.