Report: Journalism is the 151st Kentucky Derby Favourite

Journalism (Curlin – Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) punctuated his status as the top three-year-old in the country Saturday when earning a rousing victory under Umberto Rispoli in the Grade I, $500,000 Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism (1-1) unleashed an outside rally near the quarter pole and surged past leader Baeza (14-1) inside the final furlong to win by three-quarters of a length. The winning rally came after Journalism, who had been tracking the pace along the inside, had to take up entering the second turn momentarily and briefly lost momentum.

“That’s such a good animal to be able to get out of there,” Rispoli said. “It’s rare for a horse to get held up at the three-eighths pole and to get back in the race in that way. It’s always difficult, especially for such a big horse. But he has such an amazing style and is just an amazing horse.’

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Added McCarthy: “He had me worried for a jump or two. Special horse.”

Baeza, with Hector Berrios aboard for trainer John Shirreffs, finished 8 ½-lengths clear of third-place finisher Westwood, who is also trained by Shirreffs. Citizen Bull, last year’s champion two-year-old and 2-1 second choice, finished fourth with Barnes (5-2) completing the order of finish. Citizen Bull and Barnes are both trained by Bob Baffert.

It was a good start for all in the 88th edition of the Santa Anita Derby. Grabbing the early lead was Westwood, who outfooted Citizen Bull and set a quarter-mile split of 22.25 seconds. Barnes was following that pair on the outside in third with Journalism tucked along the rail behind the two dueling leaders. Baeza was racing widest of all in fifth.

Citizen Bull and jockey Martin Garcia would move past Westwood before setting a half mile split of 47.14 seconds. Baeza had moved up to third at that point while Journalism found himself last among a tightly bunched field.

Citizen Bull led Westwood by a head through six furlongs in 1:11.42, which was about the point Journalism had his brief trouble.

“I was trapped on the fence, and I thought, ‘Wow, this isn’t looking good,’” Rispoli said. “I knew my only way out was to push Barnes a little bit. I got through.”

As Journalism re-gathered his momentum. Baeza had taken aim at Citizen Bull and seized the lead. Baeza motored through the stretch and held a one-length lead at the eighth pole, but he was unable to hold off the oncoming rush from Journalism.

“He ran super,” Shirreffs said of the runner-up. Journalism won in a time of 1:49.56.

The winning Beyer Figure was 102, just down from Journalism’s previous 108 Beyer in his San Felipe Stakes score.

“I saw a little bit of adversity today, which you saw around the far turn,” McCarthy said. “It took him a little bit to get his feet under him, but once Umberto was able to wheel him outside, he started getting him through his gears. He started to pick it up towards the end, leveled off nicely. He looked like he finished up well and galloped out well.”

Journalism improved to 5:4-0-1 with $638,880 in earnings. The colt, bred by Don Alberto Corporation, was sold for $825,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale with Don Alberto Stable retaining a share with Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and Robert LaPenta.

Prior to the Santa Anita Derby, it was announced Journalism would stand at Coolmore following his racing career. Coolmore’s Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor were also listed on the ownership line as lessees.

Journalism’s win came before an on-track crowd of 34,812, which is the highest Santa Anita Derby Day attendance since 2018 when a crowd of 32,089 was at The Great Race Place.

PEDIGREE NOTES FROM CT:

Journalism, by the top sire Curlin (Smart Strike) is the first foal to race for Grade 2 stakes winner MOPOTISM, who won the La Canada Stakes and Island Fashion Stakes, placed in 10 other stakes and earned over $876,000.

Mopotism’s six other named siblings include three winners, all from the mare Peppy Rafaela by Bernardini. Unplaced Peppy Rafaela is from Peppy Lapeau, by French Deputy (Deputy Minister), and that mare produced Woody Stephens (G2) Stakes winner Songster and three other winners.

Fourth dam of Journalism is Peppy Raja who produced five winners from 11 named foals.

Journalism is in-bred 3 x 5 to Deputy Minister (Vice Regent), the 1981 Horse of the Year and Champion two-year-old in Canada who was a Grade 1 winner.