Journalism overcomes poor start in San Diego

Long odds-on favorite Journalism was already spotting weight to his rivals in Saturday’s $300,000 San Diego H. (G2), but when the gate opened, the 125-pound highweight also spotted them a substantial head start. Even that early deficit wasn’t enough to offset his superiority, and Journalism recovered to prevail at Del Mar.

By far the class of the field as last year’s Preakness (G1) and Haskell (G1) winner, and runner-up in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1), the Michael McCarthy trainee was halting a losing streak dating back to last summer’s Pacific Classic (G1). Ironically, his last victory had come in the Haskell, and he marked the occasion by winning on the same Saturday this year – Haskell Day 2026 – only this time at his Southern California home base.

The San Diego was a cozy spot for Journalism to regroup after battling the division’s heavy hitters. But the son of Curlin has a flair for the dramatic, as illustrated in his Preakness and Haskell rallies, and true to form, he had to create an element of suspense for his fans here. 

Appearing to be half-rearing at the start, reminiscent of an equestrian statue with curled forelegs aloft, Journalism was left behind when his four opponents blasted forward. Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who was regaining the mount for the first time since his runner-up effort in the Pacific Classic, demonstrated his rapport with the colt. Rispoli struck the right balance of helping him into a sensible position without rushing him out of his rhythm.

Meanwhile, Mirahmadi grabbed the lead through fractions of :23.34 and :47.47. His most significant pace rival, Full Serrano, was scratched, but that didn’t bequeath him an easy time of it. Iron Man Cal prompted in second, while The Goat moved up to join the fray on the backstretch. By that point, Journalism was drafting comfortably in close striking range.

When Iron Man Cal put his head in front at the six-furlong mark in 1:11.58, The Goat offered his short-lived challenge. But Journalism was circling them all.

Swooping down the stretch, Journalism readily drove clear. Shea Brennan closed to reduce the margin to three-quarters of a length, although the race was effectively over. 

Iron Man Cal finished third in his dirt debut, while The Goat faded to fourth, and Mirahmadi trailed. Mc Vay was withdrawn along with Full Serrano.

“He (Journalism) was leaning forward,” Rispoli said of the start, “then he took a step back just as they popped the gate. He was away a little slow; I think he might have spotted those other horses maybe five or six lengths. 

“But by the time we got to the first turn, I was comfortable. He had picked it up and I knew I had the horse under me. This horse has the class. You’ve always got to be careful in a race; anything can happen. But he was the best horse by far today. When it came time, he was there.”

Journalism covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.65 to advance his resume to 14-7-3-3, $4,770,755. His lone finish outside of the top three was a fourth in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Successful in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), San Felipe (G2), and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), the bay has placed third in both starts this season, the Oaklawn H. (G2) and Metropolitan H. (G1).

Another Met Mile alumnus, runner-up Knightsbridge, flaunted the form earlier Saturday when crushing the Monmouth Cup (G3). The Monmouth and San Diego results paid compliments to Met Mile hero Nysos, who may be seen next in the Aug. 8 Whitney (G1) back at Saratoga.

McCarthy was leaving options open for Journalism’s next target, not committing yet to the Pacific Classic at Del Mar Aug. 22.

Co-owned by breeder Don Alberto Stable, Journalism races for a consortium including Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, Robert V. La Penta, and the Coolmore principals (listed as lessees). He sported the colors of Coolmore partner Michael Tabor in the San Diego.

Journalism, an $825,000 graduate of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, is out of Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Mopotism. The Uncle Mo mare hails from the family of Grade 2-winning sprinter Songster.

San Clemente H. (G2)

Trainer John Sadler had the disappointment of scratching Full Serrano from the San Diego, but he had cause to celebrate when his stakes debutante Somerset West sprang a $73.40 upset in the $202,500 San Clemente H. (G2). The daughter of Kantharos and past Sadler trainee Constantia thereby boosted her credentials for the Del Mar Oaks (G1). 

The 35-1 longest shot on the board, Somerset West went last to first under an inspired ride by Armando Ayuso. The Keith Abrahams homebred hugged the rail, bravely got through at the top of the lane, and parlayed her ground-saving maneuver into a half-length victory.

Runner-up Inbox also rallied late, but in wayward fashion for Joel Rosario. Veering in and cutting off Wild Like the West, who never recovered from the interference, Inbox triggered a stewards’ inquiry. In a split decision, as reported by track announcer Larry Collmus, the stewards allowed the result to stand.

Raiding Party, the 8-5 favorite, took the overland route to get up for third. The Brendan Walsh shipper checked in just 1 1/4 lengths behind Inbox, and a more advantageous trip could well help Raiding Party reverse the form. 

A similar comment applies to Peanutbutterbombe, who didn’t break cleanly but checked in a solid fourth. Next came Ground Support; early leader Cortina d’Amprezzo; Spirit Doll; Light Won Up, who vied with Cortina d’Amprezzo through splits of :23.76, :46.87, 1:11.21, and 1:23.27; the aggrieved Wild Like the West, in contention until forced to take up by Inbox; and the tailed-off Marjoram. Lookin at Diamond was scratched.

Somerset West clocked the firm-turf mile in 1:34.76 in her two-turn bow. The chestnut had raced exclusively in turf sprint maidens, finally scoring her first win June 6 at Santa Anita. Her resume now reads 5-2-2-0, $190,200.

The Kentucky-bred is a third-generation stakes performer for Abrahams and Sadler. She is the first foal from fellow homebred Constantia, a stakes-winning turf sprinter who also placed in the 2021 Monrovia (G2). Herself by Munnings and out of Llandudno, the near-misser in the 2014 Las Cienegas (G3), Constantia is a half-sister to Kirstenbosch, a multiple Grade 3 winner who showed distance and surface versatility for the same connections. 

“The family is kind of one-run,” Sadler said, “so when I saw her (Somerset West) sneaking up the rail, I thought, ‘this is good’. The family has a little distance limitations, so we liked the mile distance. She’s run three or four good races, a little unlucky a couple of times. Really a great ride. You got to give him (Ayuso) credit. He saved all the ground and came up the rail.”