It’s been 20 years since Afleet Alex won the 2005 Preakness Stakes (G1) despite being knocked to his knees turning for home, a performance that will always be considered one of the most amazing in Triple Crown history.
On Saturday, Journalism added his name to that list with his remarkable surge through the smallest of openings into the stretch run of the 150th Preakness and then making up half a dozen lengths on longshot Gosger to win the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Trainer Mike McCarthy, who admitted to being disappointed his trainee had to settle for second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) just two weeks ago, was in awe of the three-year-old son of Curlin.
“I think today you saw what it takes to be a champion. Today was his day. He had been telling us all along he was sort of ready for an effort like that.”
Journalism, at even money, was pretty much everyone’s pick to win the 1 3/16 mile Preakness, the last one to be held at the old Pimlico racetrack, which will be renovated next year. The Derby winner Sovereignty wasn’t in the field, just Sandman, seventh in the Derby, and American Promise, 16th, came back for the second jewel. The newcomers to the classic trail were lightly-raced types – Goal Oriented (never been in a stakes race), Gosger (Lexington winner in third start), speedster Clever Again and British invader Heart of Honor (GB). Add in River Thames and Pay Billy, both nice speed types, the race looked like Journalism’s for the taking.
Under jockey Umberto Rispoli, Journalism raced on the wrong lead through the stretch for the first time and just behind the front-running Clever Again to the first turn. Gosger, trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Luis Saez, was smooth in a stalking second while the pace wasn’t overly quick. Sandman was in his customary spot in last place.
After an opening two furlongs in 23.29 and half a mile in 46.66, Rispoli began to scrub Journalism and to the eye, it looked as if the colt was not responding. Rispoli angled him off the inside in what appeared to be a thought to go around rivals, but changed his mind, moving his colt back down to the rail late on the final turn. That room to run began to slowly close as Clever Again began to tire and Gosger, a son of Nyquist, darted to the lead.
Meanwhile, Goal Oriented, who had been under a good hold by Flavian Prat while stalking the modest pace, was just off the rail in front of Journalism. Goal Oriented switched leads off the turn and kept Journalism trapped. Rispoli came off the rail and barged through Clever Again and Goal Oriented.
It is one of those ‘you have to see it to believe it races” (replay is below) as the pinballing between the colts somehow didn’t end badly. Journalism powered clear and then set his sights on Gosger, who was clear. In the final furlong, Journalism flew past the leader with flair. Gosger was a brave second while Sandman, who rallied wide and was almost on even terms with Journalism briefly, grabbed third.
The time was 1:55.47, about average for the race.
“I still can’t realize what this horse did today,” said Rsipoli, winning his first American Triple Crown race. “I got in trouble at the quarter pole and, look, he made himself keep going. It’s all about him. It’s a privilege to ride a horse like him.”
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Journalism has five wins in seven starts and over $2.8 million in earnings. He cost $825,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and is out of the Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, winner of the Grade 2 La Canada Stakes.
Woodbine’s leading trainer Mark Casse said of Sandman, “I was upset the first quarter because they were walking, but they picked it up. I have to watch the replay, but he ran good. He made amends for the Derby, but a good horse won.”
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