Journalism gets break, will begin 3-year-old campaign in February

CYPRESS, Calif. - With no graded stakes for 3-year-olds on the schedule in the first month of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, Los Alamitos Futurity winner Journalism will begin his 3-year-old season no sooner than early February, trainer Michael McCarthy said.

“We’ll try to go six weeks between races,” McCarthy said.

The first graded stakes opportunity for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita is the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at a mile on Feb. 1, followed by the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 1, and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 5.

Those races lead to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3.

“It’s nice when you can work back from the Derby,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy said other races outside of California, particularly at Oaklawn Park, will be considered.

In the Los Alamitos Futurity, Journalism (5-2) closed from third in a field of five to finish 3 1/2 lengths ahead of pacesetter Getaway Car, who was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 1. Gaming, second in the BC Juvenile and the 1-2 favorite in the Los Alamitos, finished third.

“I think he beat a good horse today,” McCarthy said in the winner’s circle. “Gaming was ultra-impressive the other day.”

Journalism, a colt by Curlin, was third in his debut in a six-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita on Oct. 27, and won a one-mile maiden race by 2 1/2 lengths at Del Mar on Nov. 17.

“He’s run three races in a short period of time,” McCarthy said.

Journalism was supplemented to the $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity for $7,500 when entries were taken last Wednesday.

Journalism, who has earned $158,880, races for the partnership of Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, and Robert LaPenta.

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