Journalism Has Lofty Dreams in Don Alberto Silks

The Curlin colt was a brilliant winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park and now has his sights set on the First Saturday in May

Journalism sported the iconic silks of Chilean powerhouse Don Alberto Stable / BENOIT PHOTO

ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario).- In a performance that firmly established him as the top 3-year-old colt in the U.S., Journalism (Curlin) overcame a troubled trip to win Saturday’s $500,000 GI Santa Anita Derby going 1 1/8 miles over a rain-affected track at Santa Anita Park, stamping himself a major player for the GI Kentucky Derby.

Guided by Umberto Rispoli for trainer Michael McCarthy, the imposing chestnut was sent off the even-money favorite and didn’t disappoint, uncorking a wide rally around the far turn to collar longshot frontrunner Baeza(McKinzie) inside the final furlong and edge clear to a 3/4-length success. That effort came after being briefly stopped in traffic approaching the far turn, a moment that nearly derailed his chances.

“He’s a very special colt to overcome something like that,” Rispoli said. “It’s not often you see a horse get boxed in at the six-furlong pole and still come back to win like this—especially a big horse like him. But he’s got such a beautiful stride… He’s just an incredible horse.”

McCarthy, based at Santa Anita and a graduate of nearby Arcadia High School, added: “For a second, I was concerned. He’s just special.”

Racing for Don Alberto Stable, which bred him and whose colors he carried, Journalism stopped the clock in 1:49.56, with Baeza staying on gamely for second under Héctor Berríos for trainer John Shirreffs, 8 1/2 lengths ahead of stablemate Westwood (Authentic). The highly regarded Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), champion juvenile last season and one of two Bob Baffert runners in the field, could do no better than fourth, while stablemate Barnes (Into Mischief) trailed the five-horse field after scratching down to six starters.

The race unfolded with Westwood flashing early speed to take the lead through an opening quarter in :22.25, tracked closely by Citizen Bull and Barnes to the outside. Journalism was tucked in behind that trio along the rail, while Baeza settled at the rear but traveled wide throughout.

As the field approached the far turn in :47.14 for the half, Citizen Bull made his move to grab a narrow lead. Baeza advanced to third, while Journalism, briefly shuffled to last, had to steady and lose momentum after being trapped inside. Rispoli made a bold move, nudging Barnes out of the way to find racing room.

“That was the moment I thought, ‘This is going to be tricky,’” Rispoli recounted. “I had to give Barnes a little nudge to make a gap, and he responded when it opened up.”

Baeza swept to the lead at the top of the lane and looked a likely winner at the furlong marker, but Journalism launched an impressive rally down the center of the track to assert his superiority late.

“It was a weird trip, but he handled it like a pro,” said McCarthy. “Once Umberto got him into the clear, he started to lengthen, and once he hits his stride, he’s just relentless.”

Owned in partnership by Don Alberto, Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, and Robert LaPenta, Journalism is out of GII Summertime Oaks winner Mopotism (Uncle Mo). He now boasts a record of 5-4-0-1 and earnings of $638,880.

Plans are already in place for Journalism to stand at Coolmore America upon retirement, with Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael B. Tabor listed among the colt’s lessees.

Saturday’s performance backed up Journalism’s visually dominant win in the GII San Felipe S. on March 1, where he posted a Beyer Speed Figure of 108, the highest for any 3-year-old this season. He capped off his 2-year-old campaign with a win in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity.

The win marked Rispoli’s second in the Santa Anita Derby following his 2021 score aboard Rock Your World (Candy Ride), while McCarthy celebrated his first victory in the marquee prep race on the West Coast Derby trail.

“It means a lot,” said McCarthy. “This is a huge day on the Santa Anita calendar and a huge day for anyone pointing toward the Kentucky Derby. To be part of it and to win—it’s special.”

The atmosphere at Santa Anita was electric, with 34,812 fans in attendance, the largest crowd for a Santa Anita Derby since 2018.

As for Baffert’s camp, disappointment lingered. “I was hoping to see more,” the Hall of Famer said of Citizen Bull. “He got tired. He’s a big colt, and the track was testing today. We’ll regroup and see where we go from here.”