Journalism in consideration for Met Mile after strong third in Oaklawn Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Journalism has emerged from his third-place finish in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap in excellent condition and will now get settled back into his routine at Santa Anita, trainer Michael McCarthy said.

The winner of last year’s Preakness was launching his season in Saturday’s blockbuster matchup that 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio captured by two lengths over 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Journalism, who earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 106.

“He came out of it in very good order,” McCarthy said. “No complaints. We’ll kind of just get him back in a groove and obviously give some thought to the Met Mile now.”

The Grade 1, $1 million Met Mile will be run at Saratoga on June 6, which is Belmont Stakes Day.

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In the Oaklawn Handicap, Journalism pushed the pace, dueled with Sovereignty on the final turn and into the stretch, then was overtaken in the later stages by White Abarrio. Jose Ortiz was aboard Journalism, who was making his first start since a good fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

“Obviously happy to get him back to the races,” McCarthy said. “We were surprised to see us kind of up close, as close as we were, but our hand was dealt to us going into the first turn. Jose did what he had to do. You know, you can’t let a horse like Sovereignty get too far away from you, and then, obviously, an in-form horse like White Abarrio behind you.

“Look, the three best horses ran one-two-three. I’m sure we’ll see both of them, or one of them, somewhere along the way down the road, and looking forward to a rematch. I thought it was great for racing, a great day.”

The clash between Journalism and Sovereignty – who won last year’s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes over Journalism – and White Abarrio, a multiple Grade 1 winner coming off a runner-up finish in the Pegasus World Cup in January, made the Oaklawn Handicap a highly anticipated race. In the stretch, when the three horses were battling, the roar of an ontrack crowd of 35,000 was deafening. The final time of 1:47.49 for the 1 1/8 mile-race was the fastest since 1995, when Cigar won the Oaklawn Handicap in 1:47.22.

Journalism is a striking son of Curlin who has earned $4.4 million. The five-time graded stakes winner captured last year’s Santa Anita Derby and Haskell, in addition to the Preakness. He races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

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