Journalism once again demonstrated his status as a formidable competitor and exceptional racehorse. Although his start in the 1 1/8 mile race was sluggish—positioned 7th out of eight horses and struggling through a slightly muddy track—he gradually moved outward and began to gain ground, passing several contenders including Gosgar and Goal-Oriented along the rail at the final stretch.
Despite seeming outmatched midway through the race, Journalism found space running about four paths wide, advancing impressively and securing a half-length victory. This marked his sixth win in nine career races. Trainer Michael McCarthy noted that while Journalism got engaged in the backstretch, it took him longer to reach the lead compared to previous performances.
Journalism was the favorite with odds of 2-5 and paid $2.80 to win. The finishing order placed Gosgar second, followed by Goal-Oriented, Bracket Buster, Burnham Square, National Law, Kentucky Outlaw, and Wildon Crazinity. His victory earned him a free entry to the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar on November 1st, highlighting the Haskell win as part of a winning strategy for top Breeders’ Cup contenders.
Looking ahead, speculation surrounds Journalism’s next race—likely the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on August 30, his first competition against older horses and a key prelude to the Breeders’ Cup at the same venue. Returning to Del Mar is notable since Journalism has not raced in Southern California since his Santa Anita Derby win on April 5th. Saturday’s race marked his sixth start in five months, across five different states.
Another exciting possibility is the Travers Stakes in Saratoga Springs, New York, where there may be a highly anticipated rematch against Sovereign, who won both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Journalism, who won the Preakness, was the only horse to compete in all three Triple Crown races this year, making a showdown with Sovereign particularly thrilling.
Trainer McCarthy took a cautious approach when discussing post-race plans, stating that after a good wash and some rest, they will evaluate their next steps. Journalism was purchased for $825,000 by Eclipse Thoroughbreds, including investment from Don Alberto Corp. He is sired by Carpe Diem out of the mare Mopotism, who sadly passed away on July 15 due to complications from colic.
This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
Fan Take: Journalism’s continued resilience and presence in top-tier races like the Breeders’ Cup and possibly the Travers Stakes make him a horse worth watching. His rivalry with Sovereign adds an exciting narrative that could captivate fans and elevate the sport’s popularity this season.
