Seemingly down and out for much of the race, pre-race favorite Journalism pulled off a furious, shocking comeback down the stretch to win the 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.
Journalism started well immediately out of the gate, but it was Clever Again (the No. 2 favorite before the race) and longshot Gosger setting the pace — with Journalism hanging out in sixth for over half the track.
But Journalism’s story had yet to be written.
Ridden by jockey Umberto Rispoli, the Derby runner-up turned on the jets late, overtaking Gosger — who had seemed to pull away — and charge in front in the closing moments.
“I still can’t realize what this horse did today,” Rispoli said after securing the first triple crown race win of his career — in his Preakness debut. “It’s all about him. It’s a pleasure, a privilege to ride a horse like him ... I’m crying like a kid.”
“I kinda resigned myself to the fact that it was another fantastic effort, maybe came up a little bit short. But just goes to show the testament that this horse has,” said a choked-up trainer Michael McCarthy, whose lone previous triple crown race win also came in the Preakness, in 2021. “Couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Journalism stayed on the rail for the majority of the race, despite chances to make a move outside. He threaded a narrow needle between Goal Oriented and and Clever Again, then bumped the former while making the final turn.
For a moment, it appeared his best chance had come and gone. But Journalism emerged amid the traffic, held off a charging Sandman and chased Gosger down late regardless.
Journalism had even odds to win the race. A Journalism-Gosger exacta returned $33.80 for a $2 bet, while a trifecta with Journalism-Gosger-Sandman turned $1 into $73.50.
Journalism’s story — and that of McCarthy — is one of remarkable resilience. McCarthy has been living with in-laws since the Altadena fire in Southern California forced him to relocate; he briefly had to displace Journalism (and over a dozen other horses) from Santa Anita Park due to the threat as wildfires raged across the region.
“This,” McCarthy said, “is for Altadena.”
Journalism is part-owned by Aron Wellman, who heads Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, as well as Leslie and John Malone of Bridlewood Farm, Liliana Solari and Carlos Heller of Don Alberto, and prominent Iona University benefactor Robert LaPenta.
“It was pretty nasty there. We thought we were gonna end up with another second,” Wellman said. “But the horse is a champion. Our jockey, Umberto Rispoli, is a champion. Michael McCarthy is a champion.
"[Journalism is] extremely special. He is equally as mentally brilliant as he is physically, which is so rare to find in this game ... I think everybody saw what a champion he is today.”
Journalism became the third Derby favorite to lose at Churchill Downs, then participate in the Preakness and win. Favorites had lost eight of the past nine — and all of the past six — Preaknesses, until Journalism bucked that trend.
McCarthy took only a few belongings with him while evacuating his Southern California home back in January. Among them was his trophy from the 2021 Preakness.
He can display some new hardware alongside it.
English (US) ·