Every race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby awards points to the top five finishers, but this year if a race had just five horses in the field only 75% of the available points would be awarded. Journalism ran into this issue in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) when he faced just four other horses, but that didn’t stop him from securing a position in the Kentucky Derby (G1) starting gate or from solidifying himself as one of the favorites amongst the potential starters.
Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation, the 3-year-old son of Curlin is out of G2-winner and Kentucky Oaks (G1) starter Mopotism (Uncle Mo). He was sold at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling Sale for $825,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who own him in partnership with Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier-Lessee, Mrs. John, Smith-Lessee, Derrick and Tabor-Lessee, and Michael B. Trained from the beginning by Michael W. McCarthy, Journalism lost his first career start, but he has been a force to be reckoned with ever since.
Journalism kicked off his Derby Trail tour de force in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on Dec. 14. He won going away with it, crossing the wire 3 ½ lengths ahead of Getaway Car in second, but it was his next start that made the racing world start talking about him.
On March 1 of this year, Journalism faced the big boys for the very first time in the DK Horse San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. Trainer Bob Baffert sent out his big guns, Barnes and Rodriguez (who sold for a combined $3,685,000), but they were no match for McCarthy’s rising star. Winning by nearly two lengths, Journalism proved himself to be the real deal, but it took the Santa Anita Derby (G1) to seal that deal for good.
Up against Barnes, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and Eclipse Champion Two-Year-Old Male Citizen Bull, Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage’s half-brother Baeza, and $700,000 purchase Westwood, Journalism went off as the even money favorite in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). He didn’t let the bettors down, either. After a stretch duel with Baeza that had him winning by a shorter margin of 3/4s of a length, Journalism was around nine lengths ahead of the rest of the tiny but mighty field.
“Write this down. Journalism is the best in the West,” Santa Anita track announcer Frank Mirahmadi declared as he cruised to victory. With all of the prep races now in the history books, Journalism is one of the best 3-year-olds in the country and is the anticipated morning line favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
After his final workout at Santa Anita April 19, McCarthy told the BloodHorse,”He’s really been training well.” Jockey Umberto Rispoli shared similar sentiments. In the same interview with the BloodHorse, Rispoli said, “I was very happy. The horse seems to have come out well from the Santa Anita Derby. He’s in good shape and gave me a good feeling.” If he’s feeling as good as he felt on Santa Anita Derby (G1) day, he will be tough to beat on the first Saturday in May.
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