The travel portion of Journalism’s 2025 campaign may be done following his win in Saturday’s Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, the superstar colt’s fourth consecutive race away from trainer Michael McCarthy’s base in Southern California.
Or, Journalism could be back on a plane next month for another leading major stakes on the East Coast.
Those are decisions that McCarthy and the partnership that owns Journalism - Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Robert LaPenta, Don Albert Stable, and Elayne Stables 5 LLC – face in coming days and weeks.
There was no hurry to finalize plans on Sunday, according to Aron Wellman, the president of the Eclipse partnership.
“We’ll take our time and read Journalism,” he said. “We’ll assess the options.”
Two obvious choices are Grade 1 races at 1 1/4 miles on opposite sides of the country – the $1.25 million Travers Stakes against 3-year-olds at Saratoga on Aug. 23, or the $1 million Pacific Classic against older horses at Del Mar on Aug. 30.
“It might be nice to play a few home games, but everything is on the table right now,” Wellman said. “That’s why we haven’t been abrupt to call our next shot after a big race.”
The Del Mar summer meeting does not have a major dirt stakes for 3-year-olds. The only race for the category is the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes at a mile on Aug. 31.
“It’s unfortunate we don’t have any options on the dirt here in Southern California,” Wellman said.
There have been five 3-year-old winners in the 34-year history of the Pacific Classic. The most recent was Arabian Knight in 2023, who outfinished Geaux Rocket Ride, the winner of that year’s Haskell.
The season-ending goal with Journalism is the Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar on Nov. 1. Journalism earned a fees-paid berth to that famous race with his win in the Haskell, his fourth victory in six starts this year.
Journalism’s only losses this year have been second-place finishes to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3 as the 3-1 favorite, and in the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga on June 7. Journalism led in the stretch of both races, but could not hold off Sovereignty.
In the $1,017,500 Haskell Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, Journalism was the 2-5 favorite. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism closed from seventh with a wide rally through the stretch to win by a half-length over Gosger. Journalism and Gosger were first and second in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 17.
In his career, Journalism has won 6 of 9 starts and earned $3,798,880. With the success, Journalism has gained a sizable following.
“The fanfare that he has received through this campaign is really humbling and a huge honor,” Wellman said on Sunday afternoon. “Yesterday, Monmouth Park had (nearly) 42,000 people there. When he (rallied) in that last sixteenth, it was absolute mayhem.
“People were throwing their programs in the air, people were throwing their drinks in the air. He’s such an exciting horse to watch.”
Journalism is scheduled to return to California on Tuesday and will resume racetrack activity soon, possibly in the final days of the month.
“Our whole team knows him so well,” Wellman said. “He’s an easy read. When he’s ready to do more, he lets you know.”
McCarthy and his team saw Journalism rapidly regain enthusiasm for training in the weeks after the Belmont Stakes.
How Journalism responds to his win in the Haskell will play an important role in deciding his next start.
McCarthy, for one, was not thinking about Journalism’s next assignment on Sunday.
“I wanted to get past yesterday,” McCarthy said before the races started at Del Mar.
McCarthy was more forthcoming on Journalism’s season so far, which includes a win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April..
“It’s been quite an experience,” McCarthy said. “We’ve been able to enjoy it as it’s gone along. He’s the kind of horse that doesn’t come around very often.”
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.