Journalism hits the road again for Haskell

The nation's two leading three-year-olds return to action on consecutive Saturdays this month. This week, the focus is on Journalism's reappearance in the $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park.

The California-based colt begins the second half of his campaign behind the eight ball in terms of championship honors. Although he's notched signature wins in the Preakness (G1) and Santa Anita Derby (G1), Journalism was clearly second best in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1) to Sovereignty.

Sovereignty is scheduled to return to action on July 26 in the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga.

If all goes according to plan, the pair might knock heads for a third time in the Travers (G1) in late August. But Journalism must first get through the Haskell, a 1 1/8-mile test which offers a paid berth into the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.

"The last three weeks, he's really thrived and excelled and told us that he was ready to get back on a plane to go across the country to run in the Haskell," said part-owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

Gosger, who held a substantial lead in the stretch of the Preakness before Journalism caught him in an epic rally, should continue to get better. The Preakness was only the fourth lifetime start for the gray son of Nyquist, who previously captured the Lexington (G3) in his stakes debut.

Blue Grass (G1) winner Burnham Square might have finished better than sixth in the Kentucky Derby had he not been forced to check on the far turn. The gelding exits a close second-place effort in the Matt Winn (G3) behind lone speed East Avenue and should appreciate the additional distance of the Haskell.

Goal Oriented finished fourth in the Preakness in his stakes debut for trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Haskell a record nine times. Bracket Buster, second to Gosger in the Lexington, romped by seven lengths in the Pegasus S. at Monmouth last month, which was contested over a sloppy track.

The field is rounded out by Kentucky Law, National Law, and Wildncrazynight, any of whom would be a major shock.