Though trainer Michael McCarthy might have ideally wished that Journalism had an easier trip in the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (G1), the colt faced several challenges and overcame each one spectacularly. Not only did Journalism dominate his four rivals—more than perhaps his three-quarter-length margin indicated—he learned lessons that should serve him well in his next goal: the Kentucky Derby (G1).
"He was a little aggressive going into the first turn," McCarthy said. "They kind of came off the fence going in through the first turn, and he got a little aggressive again. He was able to kind of switch it off up the backside and found himself in a nice rhythm."
Citizen Bull, last year's champion 2-year-old male and one of two Bob Baffert trainees in the race, battled with Westwood, a maiden, on the front end early in the 1 1/8-mile Derby at Santa Anita Park. Barnes, the second from the Baffert barn, was going head and head with Baeza, while Journalism, the even-money favorite ridden by Umberto Rispoli, raced fifth in the very compact field.
"At the half-mile pole, everyone kind of congregated together," McCarthy said. "Umberto was still sort of there in the pocket. Obviously, everyone knew he was the horse to beat, so I think they were kind of waiting as long as they could to make their move. They spread themselves apart, and Umberto was able to find himself a seam and get him outside."
From there, Journalism put on a display that was gorgeous to watch. He moved up in the second turn, laser-focused on Baeza and Citizen Bull ahead of him. After Baeza got the better of Citizen Bull, Journalism drew alongside Baeza in the final furlong. Baeza gamely stuck with Journalism as long as he could, but Journalism began to pull away for that three-quarter-length margin, stopping the timer in 1:49.56.
Baeza proved much the best of the rest, finishing 8 1/2 lengths ahead of third-place Westwood. A half-length separated Westwood and Citizen Bull, with Barnes another 10 lengths back.
"We knew we would have a target on our back today," said Aron Wellman, president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, a co-owner of Journalism. "They were going to ride him all around there. He hit a roadblock at the three-eighths pole and really got stopped cold. It takes a superior horse to be able to gather himself, shrug that off, and regain his momentum."
Rispoli agreed, saying, "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."
Wellman noted that stamina "is one of Journalism's strong suits, among many." So when Journalism took aim at Baeza, Wellman felt a burst of confidence.
"I'm glad that he got the education he did today," Wellman added. "Small field but lots of trouble, so he's got the appropriate seasoning going into what really has been the ultimate goal all along."
Citizen Bull tired, Baffert reported.
"Turning for home, he was blowing pretty good," Baffert said. "He looked a little heavy. He needed the race pretty bad."
Citizen Bull, who finished his 2-year-old season with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), won the Feb. 1 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in his first start at 3.
"I don't think it's the distance—he just got tired," Baffert said. "There's nothing like a race. We're not raising the white flag yet."
Baffert earlier in the day won the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack with Rodriguez, who had run third to Journalism and Barnes in the March 1 San Felipe Stakes (G2).
"I was pretty impressed with what he did," Baffert said. "These are nice 3-year-olds in California."
Because the Santa Anita Derby had only five horses, that reduced the Kentucky Derby qualifying points to 75% of their original value: 75 to Journalism, 37.5 to Baeza, 18.75 to Westwood, 11.25 to Citizen Bull, and 7.5 to Barnes.
Journalism had 47.5 points going into the race, so now with 122.5 points, getting a berth in the Kentucky Derby is not a problem. He will go into the race as the favorite, having now won four races in a row dating back to his maiden victory last November. Journalism added the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) to finish his 2-year-old season and opened his 3-year-old campaign with the San Felipe.
A large contingent of owners and friends swarmed the winner's circle following the race. Several people are involved in the Eclipse portion, and the ownership group includes breeder Don Alberto, Bridlewood Farm, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert LaPenta. With the addition of the Coolmore group after an agreement to stand Journalism at Ashford Stud upon his retirement, that ownership also now includes Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, listed as lessees.
Eclipse purchased Journalism for $825,000 at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2023 out of the Denali Stud consignment. Don Alberto bred the colt in Kentucky from the Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, winner of the 2018 La Canada Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park and multiple graded stakes-placed. Journalism is the mare's first foal.
Journalism, Getaway Car, and Miss Martini are 2025 stakes winners sired by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin , whose earlier runners include 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish . Curlin stands for $225,000 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Paris, Ky.
