Journalism Authors Winning Story in Los Al Futurity
Impressive Gate Speed
From the very start, Journalism demonstrated his remarkable speed. He quickly settled into a comfortable stalking position behind the top two Baffert runners, showing an innate ability to assess the race and position himself advantageously. This early display of speed set the stage for his subsequent dominance.As the race unfolded, it was evident that Journalism was in a league of his own. His well-timed move to make his charge towards the finish line was executed with precision, leaving his opponents in the dust. The leader, Getaway Car, who had set moderate early fractions, fought valiantly down the stretch but simply couldn't match the late surge of the stakes newcomer.
Crossing the Wire in Style
When Journalism crossed the wire as the decisive winner, it was a moment of triumph. Completing the 8 1/2 furlongs on the fast track in a solid time of 1:43.04 under the skilled rider Umberto Rispoli, he showcased his speed and determination.This victory not only earned him qualifying points for entry into the spring classic but also gave instant credibility to his level of class. It was clear that he is a horse with great potential and the ability to improve with each race.
Carrying on a Rich Tradition
The 1 1/16-mile, Grade 2 affair at Los Alamitos has long been a launching pad for future success. Since the race was moved, standout winners like Dortmund, McKinzie, Improbable, and Practical Move have kept the late-season race in the spotlight.Journalism is now part of this rich tradition, and his performance at Los Alamitos has added another chapter to its storied history. While no Los Alamitos Futurity runner has gone on to win the following spring's Kentucky Derby, there is a sense that Journalism could be the one to change that.
Breeding and Ownership
A son of a two-time horse of the year and top sire, Journalism is out of the durable, graded-stakes-winning Uncle Mo mare Mopitism. Bred to be a runner, he was purchased for $825,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and is now owned by a group that includes Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Elayne Stables, and Robert LaPenta.This strong breeding and ownership background give him the support and resources needed to reach the highest levels of the sport. With each passing race, he is proving that he is worthy of their investment.
Quick Progress on the Track
Sent to trainer Michael McCarthy, Journalism made his mark on the racing scene despite entering the races late and missing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. In just his first seven weeks on the track, he has shown a remarkable progression of improvement.Starting with a sixth-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita on Oct. 27, where he rallied from last to finish third, beaten by fewer than three lengths in a fast race, he quickly demonstrated his tenacity. Three weeks later, at Del Mar, he stretched out to two turns and showed his talent for figuring things out quickly. Closer to the pace in that race, he came off the rail and powered by the leader on the outside to secure a promising victory.
Trainer's Confidence
When Journalism supplemented to the Los Alamitos Derby off the score of his one-mile maiden race, his trainer Michael McCarthy hinted at his confidence in the well-bred colt."It was either a race like this or the San Vicente (G2) at seven furlongs," McCarthy said. "We gave this horse every opportunity not to run today, but he had two wonderful works, and he was very cool and composed in the paddock. He's picking things up fast. (Rispoli) bounced out of there and put him in the game nearly. He found himself a little wide on the first turn, but he was always cruising up the backside. Around the three-eighths pole Umberto was asking him to pick it up a bit, and he was slowly getting there. You could see it took him a bit to get his feet underneath him, but once he leveled off in the lane, he was very good."
After an excellent start to his career, Journalism will now take a brief rest before gearing up for the big races of the spring. With each start, he continues to improve, prove his class, and show a great affinity for added distance. His future looks as bright as can be, and as of now, 139 days out, there is no horse I would rather have in my barn over Journalism.