Kentucky-bred Journalism overcame traffic trouble in the stretch to run down Gosger nearing the wire to win the 150th running of the $2 million Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico on Saturday, May 17.

Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation and 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, the beaten favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1), rewarded his connections with a strong stretch surge to prevail in the middle leg of this year’s Triple Crown.

Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism appeared to be hard-pressed to overtake Gosger with just a sixteenth of a mile to go in the 1 3/16-mile Classic. Yet, after squeezing between two rivals, the son of Curlin kicked into high gear in the late stages to edge past Gosger approaching the wire. He covered the distance in 1:55.47 over a fast main track. It was 2 ¼ lengths back to third-place finisher Sandman.

Journalism Makes Headlines

“I still can’t realize what this horse did today,” said Rispoli. “I got in trouble at the quarter pole, and look, he makes himself keep going. It’s all about him. It’s a privilege to ride a horse like him. I won one of the legs of the Triple Crown and I’m crying like a kid. When I crossed the line, it’s all 20 years of my career that passed in front of me. I had to wait so long to ride a champion like that.”

Winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Journalism is now an earner of more than $2.8 million. The son of Curlin is out of the graded stakes-winning Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, and he was an $825,000 acquisition out of the Denali Stud consignment at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2023.

Belmont Showdown Looming

Journalism’s victory sets up a possible showdown with Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty in the Belmont S. (G1) on June 7 at Saratoga. Winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Journalism is now an earner of more than $2.8 million. The son of Curlin is out of the graded stakes-winning Uncle Mo mare Mopotism. Journalism was an $825,000 acquisition out of the Denali Stud consignment at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2023.