In an exhilarating turn of events at the Preakness Stakes, Journalism overcame a challenging race to clinch victory, marking a significant milestone in the world of horse racing. Just two weeks after finishing second as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism entered the final straightaway at Pimlico Race Course trailing by as many as five lengths. The middle leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown did not start in his favor, as he was far behind Gosger at the top of the homestretch.
As the race progressed, Journalism found himself squeezed between Clever Again and Goal Oriented, with their jockeys so close that they rubbed against each other. However, with the guidance of jockey Umberto Rispoli, Journalism finally found open ground and surged forward. The dramatic comeback unfolded over the course of 1 3/16th miles, ultimately allowing Journalism to run down Gosger at the finish line and secure a stunning victory.
This win marked the second Preakness victory for trainer Michael W. McCarthy, who previously celebrated a win in 2021 with Rombauer. Initially, McCarthy had resigned himself to the possibility of a loss as the gap widened between the leader and Journalism. “My initial thought was, ‘Proud of the horse,’” he remarked. “Great effort, just gonna come up a little bit short.” Little did he know, the race was far from over.
Gosger finished in second place, followed by Sandman in third. “The horse is a champion,” co-owner Aron Wellman stated during an NBC interview in the winner’s circle. “Our jockey Umberto Rispoli is a champion. Our trainer Michael McCarthy is a champion.” Rispoli made history by becoming the first jockey from Italy to win a Triple Crown race, expressing his hope that everyone back home would be proud of his achievement.
Journalism raced against eight competitors, notably excluding Derby winner Sovereignty, who was withdrawn by trainer Bill Mott due to the short turnaround between races. This decision marked the third time in the last four years that the Derby winner has skipped the Preakness, raising questions about the practicality of the two-week turnaround between Triple Crown races.
In recent years, it has become increasingly common for Preakness Stakes to start without a legitimate contender for the Triple Crown, with this year being the fifth time in seven years. This trend has sparked ongoing debates within the horse racing community about whether the current scheduling practices need reevaluation.
The field of nine horses was still highly anticipated, with esteemed trainers like Bob Baffert, who holds a record of eight Preakness victories, and D. Wayne Lukas, celebrated for his seven wins over 44 years, contributing to the excitement. Journalism, who entered as the favorite following the Derby, opened with 8-5 odds on the morning of the race and further solidified his status as an even bigger favorite at 6-5 by the time the race commenced.
However, the initial stages of the race posed challenges for Journalism, as Clever Again took the lead entering the first turn, closely followed by Gosger and River Thames, with Journalism positioned sixth. Both Rispoli and McCarthy expressed concerns post-race, suspecting that their horse might face another defeat, similar to the outcome at the Derby. But against all odds, Journalism crossed the finish line first, delivering a remarkable performance that will be remembered in the annals of horse racing history.
