By Jill Williams
After facing just about every top horse in the country in his career, Journalism (c, 4, Curlin-Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) looked to be assigned his simplest task since he was a maiden in Saturday's GII San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. However, anyone who was thrilled by how he inexplicably overcame trouble in his GI Preakness Stakes win last year will remember he has a flair for the dramatic.
In what should have been a relatively straightforward win, Journalism had to do it by overcoming a terrible start. He appeared to anticipate the break and charge the gate, causing the assistant starter to hold tight just as the latch sprung. Journalism was instantly disadvantaged, leaving the stalls a good five or six lengths behind the others. The heavy favorite trailed the five-horse field by several lengths as GISP Mirahmadi (Into Mischief), who was making his first start since a runner-up finish in this race last year, set the early :23.34 and :47.47 pace.
The Goat (Chi) (Midshipman), a multiple Group 1 winner in his native Chile, bobbed his head in front going into the turn as Umberto Rispoli–aboard for the first time since a second in last year's GI Pacific Classic–floated Journalism out wide after edging closer, then circled the field with ease to take the lead with a furlong to go. From there, it was simply a procession as Journalism flicked his ears back and forth, holding off a hard-trying Shea Brennan (Tough Sunday) for the three-quarter length win as Iron Man Cal (Collected) nabbed third, another 2 1/4 lengths back, in his first dirt try. Journalism got the 1 1/16 miles in 1.42.65.
After the San Diego, Rispoli offered an explanation, “He was leaning forward, 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 horse 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.”
Trainer Michael McCarthy added, “His class won out.”
Until Saturday, exactly one year separated Journalism from his last trip to the winner's circle, which came in the 2025 GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. Fittingly, as the sport enjoyed the 2026 Haskell on Saturday, Journalism issued notice that he remains one of the generation's best horses in training. His trio of Grade I scores includes the 2025 Santa Anita Derby and while he hasn't won in a year, he has dodged no one, winning or placing in every lifetime start save his fourth in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic behind Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). In fact, with the exception of highly regarded MGSW and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Knightsbridge (Nyquist), only Eclipse champions and/or Breeders' Cup winners have finished in front of Journalism since he broke his maiden.
Journalism kicked off his 2026 campaign with a pair of thirds on the road, including when last seen in the GI Metropolitan Mile June 6 at Saratoga. Save his Preakness win, Journalism has registered triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in every start going back to his 108 in the GII San Felipe Stakes 16 months ago, including his seconds in both the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes. That's an ostentatious show of sustained excellence.
In spring of 2025, Coolmore America announced that Journalism will stand at Ashford Stud upon his retirement. It was at that time Coolmore partners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith joined Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, and Robert LaPenta as part of Journalism's ownership group.
Pedigree Notes:
One of 70 graded winners for his influential sire, Journalism is also one of 119 black-type winners for Curlin. The Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa stallion, who sat out the second half of this year's breeding season as he recovered from an ulcer, is also the sire of the most accomplished 3-year-old of 2026 in GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo.
Journalism's late dam, 2018 GII La Canada Stakes winner and four-time Grade I-placed Mopotism, was a $1.05-million Fasig-Tipton buy by Don Alberto Corporation in 2019 at the 'Night of the Stars' sale. Don Alberto bred Journalism, then sold him to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners for $825,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale before ultimately staying in for a piece of his ownership.
Mopotism, a daughter of the late Uncle Mo, has also produced the unraced 2-year-old filly Magic Queen (Into Mischief), a $3.9-million RNA at Saratoga last year, and a yearling filly by Flightline. Mopotism passed away from complications of colic last July.
JOURNALISM!!!
After a terrible start, the classy Journalism won the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) at @DelMarRacing. The @mwmracing-trainee was ridden by @umbyrispoli. @coolmoreamerica pic.twitter.com/MAivwVWOPg
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 19, 2026
Saturday, Del Mar
SAN DIEGO H.-GII, $300,000, Del Mar, 7-18, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:42.65, ft.
1–JOURNALISM, 125, c, 4, by Curlin
1st Dam: Mopotism (GSW & MGISP, $876,090),
by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: Peppy Rafaela, by Bernardini
3rd Dam: Peppy Lapeau, by French Deputy
($825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto
Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, LLC,
Robert V. LaPenta, Mrs. John Magnier-Lessee, Derrick
Smith-Lessee and Michael B. Tabor-Lessee; B-Don Alberto
Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Umberto Rispoli.
$180,000. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 14-7-3-3, $4,770,755.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shea Brennan, 118, c, 4, Tough Sunday–Carrie Rose,
by Old Topper. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Nick Alexander
(CA); T-Philip D'Amato. $60,000.
3–Iron Man Cal, 119, g, 4, Collected–Joyful Dreams, by Kitten's
Joy. ($130,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Little Red Feather Racing and
Madaket Stables LLC; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Philip
D'Amato. $36,000.
Margins: 3/4, 2 1/4, 1HF. Odds: 0.20, 23.10, 13.90.
Also Ran: The Goat (Chi), Mirahmadi. Scratched: Full Serrano (Arg), Mc Vay. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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