By Tim Wilkin
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It didn't take long for trainer Michael McCarthy to make the decision. After watching his long-striding colt Journalism (Curlin) gobble up the ground at Saratoga Race Course Sunday morning, McCarthy gave the thumbs up sign.
Journalism is going to run in Saturday's 157th edition of the $2-million GI Belmont Stakes.
“Based off what I saw here this morning, I would be hard-pressed to find a reason not to enter,” McCarthy said after Journalism worked four furlongs in :47.54 on the main track with regular jockey Umberto Rispoli on board.
McCarthy said Journalism would be entered Sunday when entries were due. The draw will take place Monday at 5 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall in downtown.
Journalism, who won the roughly run GI Preakness Stakes in his last start, was second in the GI Kentucky Derby. If he starts in the Belmont, he will be the only horse to run in all three legs of this year's Triple Crown.
“I want to do this because I felt like the horse was telling me he could handle running three times in five weeks,” McCarthy said.
Journalism and Rispoli made the walk from the Oklahoma Training Track and stepped on the main track at 8:45 Sunday morning under cloudy skies and an unseasonable temperature in the low 50s.
Once the horse got back to his barn on the Oklahoma, it was evident that the Belmont would be the target. McCarthy was especially impressed with how strongly Journalism galloped out: five furlongs in 1:00.10 and six furlongs in 1:12.60.
The work was originally planned for Saturday, but those plans were scrapped after a steady rain late Friday night lasted most of Saturday. Over two and a half inches of rain fell, but Journalism saw a good-looking track on Sunday. And he relished it.
“He is a wonderful mover; he gets over the ground very well, has an incredible stride,” said McCarthy, who arrived here from California Thursday night.
If you were looking at any other clues that would signal Journalism starting in the Belmont, consider this: Aron Wellman, president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbreds, the colt's owner, was also in town from California. Rispoli, who regularly rides in California, said he was here with his family for the week.
“This is an American Classic,” Wellman said. “You only get three shots at them. We have been fortunate to participate and compete in the first two. It would mean a lot. There is a lot of importance and prestige associated with this race. We feel like we have the goods.”
The Belmont is expected to have a field of eight. The presence of Journalism means a rematch of the Kentucky Derby where he was defeated by Sovereignty (Into Mischief) by a length and a half in the slop at Churchill Downs.
Both camps are looking forward to the rematch.
“I am sure there are people that will probably favor Journalism, and some will probably favor Sovereignty,” said Bill Mott, Sovereignty's Hall of Fame trainer. “They are two very good horses.”
“It will be really great for the sport,” said Rispoli, who has ridden Journalism in six of his seven starts. “I always say the best horse is going to win. Hopefully, it will be our time this time. Both of us had good trips in the Derby; he beat me.”
Journalism and Sovereignty are the Belmont headliners, but six others will attempt to crash the party. They include Baeza (McKinzie), who was a neck behind Journalism in Louisville, GII Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez (Authentic), GIII Peter Pan winner Hill Road (Quality Road), Preakness fifth-place finisher Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.), and a pair from Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher: Crudo (Justify), winner of the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard and Uncaged (Curlin), the sixth-place finisher in the Peter Pan.
The Belmont will be run at Saratoga for the second consecutive year as Belmont Park continues its large-scale renovation. And, for the second straight year, it will be run at 1 1/4 miles, rather than the traditional 1 1/2 miles because of the main track configuration at Saratoga.
Journalism, with Umberto Rispoli up, worked a half mile over the Saratoga main track. NYRA clockers caught him in 23 4/5, 47 2/5, 1:00 flat, and 1:12 4/5 pic.twitter.com/L6QGMmy8Mt
— Keith-TripleDeadHeat (@TripleDeadHeat) June 1, 2025
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