Journalism

Journalism won his maiden race in his second lifetime start as a 2-year-old on Nov. 17, 2024, at Del Mar. He then made his third career start in the Grade 2 $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 24 where he squared off against some of the top juveniles in southern California such as Getaway Car and Gaming. Sent off as the 2.80-1 second choice on the tote board in the field of five in the Los Al Futurity, Journalism stalked the pace close-up in mid-pack and then took over the lead at the top of the stretch and drew clear to a 3 1/2-length win with Umberto Rispoli aboard. The Los Alamitos Futurity was a points race on the road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, and with his win, Journalism earned 10 qualifying points.

Journalism had 2 1/2 months off following his win in the Los Alamitos Futurity, and he came back to make his 3-year-old debut on March 1, 2025, in the Grade 2 $300,000 DK Horse San Felipe Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita. Sent off as the 3.10-1 second choice in the five-horse field, Journalism chased 2-5 favorite Barnes around the track and unleashed a strong closing surge in deep stretch to catch Barnes with room to spare to win by a 1 3/4-length margin at the finish. The San Felipe was another race on the road to the Kentucky Derby, and with his win, Journalism increased his total to 47.50 qualifying points.

Journalism solidified his status as a favorite for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby with a win in his final prep race in the Grade 1 $500,000 Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles on April 5. Sent off as the even-money favorite in a five-horse field that included the likes of Citizen Bull and Barnes as well as Westwood and Baeza, Journalism overcame a less-than-perfect trip and came from a stalking position in last in a tightly-bunched field to get up in the stretch and get the victory by three-quarters of a length in a time of 1:49.56 under jockey Umberto Rispoli.

Journalism is trained by Michael McCarthy. He was bred in Kentucky by the sire Curlin out of the mare Mopotism by Uncle Mo.