Preakness Stakes winner Journalism mounted a sustained rally and caught Goal Oriented and Gosger near the wire to win the $1 million Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes July 19 at Monmouth Park.

With regular rider Umberto Rispoli aboard, the heavily favored Journalism came from seventh in the field of eight, rallied four wide on the far turn and reached third at the head of the lane. With Gosger and Goal Oriented battling for the lead in the stretch, Journalism dug in outside and ran them down late to win by a half-length, going away. Gosger finished second, and it was a neck back to Goal Oriented in third.

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Repeating the first- and second-place order of finish in the Preakness, Journalism once again was able to collar and pass Gosger in the late stages to win. The half-length winning margin was the same as in the second jewel of the Triple Crown as Journalism registered his third Grade 1 win of the year.

The final time for 1 1/8 miles over the fast dirt track was 1:48.15. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism paid $2.80 to win.

As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "win and you're in" series, the Haskell victory grants Journalism an automatic fees-paid berth to the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

On a day when 41,876 turned out – the largest crowd at Monmouth Park since 2015 when Triple Crown champion American Pharoah won the race – Journalism made his first start since June 7 when he completed running in all three legs of the Triple Crown by finishing second in the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.

"It's been an incredible journey but there have been some stressful moments, too," said Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Aron Wellman, managing partner of the ownership group. "Michael had this horse prepared to perfection. (Jockey Umberto Rispoli) rode this horse to perfection. We saw what a champion (Journalism) is. We had a game plan, and he executed it. I couldn't be prouder of him for it."

From Gosger's perspective, The Haskell marked a second straight time the Brendan Walsh-trained son of Nyquist ran a superb race but had to settle for being second behind Journalism.

Journalism. (Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire)

"(Jockey Luis Saez) rode a fantastic race and we got nailed again by a very good horse. I'm not disappointed in the horse at all," Walsh said. "Luis rode him right. Gosger ran his race. We can't ask for more than that."

McCarthy expressed respect for Gosger's last two efforts.

"Gosger is a very good horse in his own right. It took a fantastic effort to get by him. Hats off to him. He's run two admirable races. It's a great crop of 3-year-olds," McCarthy said.

The Haskell was the sixth win in nine career starts for Journalism. He increased his earnings to $3,798,880.

McCarthy said Journalism would leave Monmouth on July 21 or 22 and return home to California, creating a possibility he may opt for a date against older horses in the Grade 1 FanDuel Pacific Classic Stakes Aug. 30 at Del Mar for his next race.

As for Journalism's rivalry with Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve winner and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty, McCarthy did not dismiss a third meeting against Sovereignty in the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 23 at Saratoga Race Course. But he didn't sign up for it, either.

"Everything is on the table," McCarthy said.

The Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar could also be the setting for the next clash between Journalism and Sovereignty.

For Gosger, Walsh said the Travers was a possibility based on how he exits the Haskell.

All-sources wagering was $21,999,962, marking the third straight year Monmouth has set a non-Breeders' Cup track wagering record on Haskell day.