Journalism, early Derby favorite, works half-mile at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. – Journalism, early favorite for the Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby after a decisive victory in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 1, posted his first work since then early Sunday morning at Santa Anita.

The sun was not quite up at 6:35 a.m. when jockey Umberto Rispoli guided Journalism through a solo workout, an easy half-mile in :48.20 for trainer Michael McCarthy. It was the first of three works scheduled for Journalism heading into the Santa Anita Derby on April 5.

“I thought it was very good,” McCarthy said regarding the workout by Journalism, who earned a 108 Beyer when he defeated Barnes in the San Felipe. Although the Santa Anita main track was closed early this week during rain, Journalism’s training has gone uninterrupted.

“We trained on the (infield training track), he hasn’t missed any time,” McCarthy said. Journalism galloped Saturday on the main track prior to his Sunday workout. “I wanted to give him one day back on the main track (Saturday) just to get over the racetrack,” McCarthy said.

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Rispoli did not ask Journalism for much in the Sunday workout. “Easy half,” Rispoli said after the work. “He came out of the race better than ever. He goes out there, he does his job, and he comes home.”

Journalism earned a 108 Beyer Figure winning the San Felipe by 1 1/4 lengths over Barnes. The San Felipe was the third straight route win by Journalism, who previously won a maiden race at Del Mar and the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity.

Journalism has won three of four and is the 9-2 favorite for the Kentucky Derby on the Derby Watch odds line in Daily Racing Form.

* Bullard also returned to the work tab for McCarthy on Sunday. Bullard went a half-mile in 48.60, his first work since he got sick and scratched from the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on Feb. 23 at Oaklawn Park.

Bullard won the Grade 3 Bob Hope last fall at Del Mar, and finished third in the Grade 2 San Vicente at Santa Anita in his most recent start on Jan. 4. McCarthy said plans for Bullard are to be determined. “Just kind of get him back on the work tab (Sunday) and see what happens the next two works, then make a game plan,” McCarthy said.

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