journalism

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- While the rematch between GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) has received top billing, the camp surrounding the blue-blooded Baeza (McKinzie) sees a slightly different storyline ahead of Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. "They talk about the challenge of the two of them. I think it's more the challenge of the three of us," said Lee Searing of C R K Stable, who campaigns Baeza in partnership with the colt's breeder Robert Clay of Grandview Equine. "This...

SARATIOGA SPRINGS--One thing trainer Michael McCarthy didn't have to worry about as he planned his trip to Saratoga Race Course was lodging. For his horses, anyway. When McCarthy shipped GI Belmont Stakes favorite Journalism (Curlin) and two other stakes horses to the Spa, he knew right where they were going. That would be the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, whom McCarthy worked for as an assistant for nearly 12 years before going out on his own in 2014. "I was a slow learner," McCarthy said with a...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--The event that horse racing has been waiting for is here. Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Journalism (Curlin), the top two finishers in the GI Kentucky Derby, will get their rematch in Saturday's $2-million GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. The two heavyweights of the 3-year-old division are the headliners of the 157th running of the Belmont, which will be run for the second straight year at Saratoga while Belmont Park continues its major renovation downstate. A field of eight was entered at Monday's draw, which was held...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It didn't take long for trainer Michael McCarthy to make the decision. After watching his long-striding colt Journalism (Curlin) gobble up the ground at Saratoga Race Course Sunday morning, McCarthy gave the thumbs up sign. Journalism is going to run in Saturday's 157th edition of the $2-million GI Belmont Stakes. "Based off what I saw here this morning, I would be hard-pressed to find a reason not to enter," McCarthy said after Journalism worked four furlongs in :47.54 on the main track with regular jockey Umberto...

Neither jockey Flavien Prat or Umberto Rispoli will be sanctioned for their rides in a roughly run renewal of last Saturday's GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. Prat was aboard Goal Oriented (Not This Time) while Rispoli guided home the dramatic winner Journalism (Curlin). The two banged into each other in a much-discussed incident in upper stretch and impeded Clever Again (American Pharaoh). Journalism went on to run down longshot Gosger (Nyquist) in improbable fashion by a half-length. Goal Oriented finished fourth, while the pacesetting Clever Again tired to finish last...

'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic), scratched from the GI Kentucky Derby with a foot bruise, worked seven furlongs in 1:24.80 (1/1) at Santa Anita Friday morning in preparation for the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga June 7. He previously worked four furlongs in :49 at Churchill Downs May 11. The front-running winner of the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct Apr. 5 is trained by Bob Baffert and campaigned in partnership by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge...

After he crossed the wire first aboard Journalism (Curlin) in the GI Preakness Stakes, jockey Umberto Rispoli planned to take a few days off and bask in what was the biggest win of his career. Instead, he has found himself in the middle of an ugly controversy involving his ride and the bumping incident with Flavien Prat, who was aboard 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time). The two banged into each other in upper stretch and impeded the Steve Asmussen-trained Clever Again (American Pharaoh). While some people have...

It is a prerogative of journalism--on the basis that most people won't read what you write, and that those that do will remember only what you get wrong--that you're allowed to repeat yourself. But fear not, I won't be returning to last week's soapbox other than to offer a vote of thanks to Mike McCarthy and his patrons for their willingness to explore whether a modern Thoroughbred is actually more resilient than the timid horsemen of our time generally allow us to see. It would be nice if they could...

On the verge of demolition, Pimlico Race Course's 150 Preakness day card drew $110 million in wagering, an increase of 11.3% over $98,858,918 bet on last year's Preakness program. The May 17 card had 14 races carded, anchored by the Preakness, was won by Journalism (Curlin). The record high for the day is $112,504,509 established in 2021, when Rombauer, trained by this year's winning trainer Michael McCarthy, won the second jewel in the Triple Crown.

The debate will continue to rage on. Should a horse run back in the GI Preakness, just two weeks after the GI Kentucky Derby, or should they skip the Preakness and wait for the GI Belmont? What's best for the horse? What's best for the sport? This year it was Sovereignty (Into Mischief). He was a comfortable 1 1/2 length winner over Journalism (Curlin) in the Derby. But instead of running back in two weeks, his connections announced that his next start will be in the June 7 Belmont. He...

GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) departed the Pimlico backstretch Monday morning on a van bound for Saratoga, where he will train towards a possible appearance in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, the GI Belmont Stakes over a mile and a quarter on Saturday, June 7. Trainer Michael McCarthy revealed the news when a guest on At The Races With Steve Byk on satellite radio Monday morning. One day after winning the Preakness in breathtaking style, part-owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and McCarthy indicated...

While no immediate plans for the GI Belmont Stakes have been made for Saturday's sensational Preakness 150 hero Journalism (Curlin), connections report that when their colt leaves the Pimlico grounds in a couple days, he will either go directly to Saratoga or to Michael McCarthy's Kentucky base at Churchill Downs. With the son of Curlin under consideration for the GI Belmont Stakes June 7 at Saratoga, McCarthy and Eclipse Thoroughbreds' Aron Wellman spoke to the press Sunday morning and said the decision will be made in the next day or...