Journalism lands Haskell in another nail biter

In a heart-pounding thriller reminiscent of his victory in the Preakness (G1) two months ago, Journalism arrived right before the wire to claim the $1,017,500 Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park on Saturday.

Unlike the Preakness, though, Journalism enjoyed a relatively clean trip, or at least one in which he wasn't knocked about in upper stretch while chasing a loose-on-the-lead rival through the final furlong.

Journalism started a tad slowly in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, and perhaps struggled to gain hold of the track in the early stages. Although he had only one rival beaten into the first turn, Journalism soon settled into a comfortable stride while being helped by an honest pace set by longshots Bracket Buster and Kentucky Outlaw.

The three betting favorites took aim at those longshots on the far turn. California shipper Goal Oriented was first on the scene, along with Preakness runner-up Gosger. Journalism followed the latter into contention, and the stage was soon set for a terrific finish.

While Goal Oriented and Gosger battled down toward the rail, Journalism made a wider bid out in the middle of the track, just as he had at Pimlico. Although not possessing a brilliant turn of foot, Journalism found just enough inside the final sixteenth to make the lead and deny Gosger by a half-length, the same margin by which he beat him in the Preakness.

"With that long, measured run of his, he finally was able to wear them down. I thought he was brave in victory," trainer Michael McCarthy said.

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite under Umberto Rispoli, Journalism covered the course in 1:48.15 and paid $2.80. He races for a wide-ranging partnership that includes Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and breeder Don Alberto Corporation.

Gosger finished a neck in front of Goal Oriented, with Bracket Buster, Burnham Square, National Law, Kentucky Outlaw, and Wildncrazynight completing the order of finish.

Journalism has compiled an impeccable record this season, winning the San Felipe (G2), Santa Anita Derby (G1), Preakness, and Haskell. The only three-year-old better than him, Sovereignty, beat him on the square in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1) and is scheduled to make his post-classic reappearance in next week's Jim Dandy (G2).

By virtue of winning the Haskell, Journalism earned an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar in November, a race he is sure to renew rivalry with Sovereignty in, if not sooner.

Journalism's win in the Haskell, his sixth in a nine-race career, came four days after his Grade 2-winning dam Mopotism was euthanized at the age of 11 due to complications from colic. Her legacy will live on through her son, who continues to add compelling chapters to the narrative of the 2025 racing season.