Journalism to return for 4-year-old campaign with Met Mile as initial target
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Journalism will target the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap as his first main objective in 2026, trainer Michael McCarthy said Wednesday.
McCarthy confirmed that Journalism will stay in training at age 4 following an admirable eight-start 3-year-old campaign that included three Grade 1 wins. He also finished fourth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Del Mar.
“He will stay in training next year,” McCarthy said. For an initial target, the trainer did not hesitate in saying, “The Met Mile.”
The Met Mile has been run the last two years at Saratoga on the Belmont undercard, but a date for the race in 2026 has not yet been announced.
Journalism emerged this year as the country’s second-ranked 3-year-old behind Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers. Journalism compiled an outstanding 3-year-old season himself, winning 4 of 8 starts, including the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Haskell.
In addition to his wins, Journalism finished second in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and was the only horse to run in all three legs of the Triple Crown. Journalism also finished second in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in his first start against older horses.
Journalism ended his 2025 campaign with a creditable fourth in the BC Classic, beaten 3 3/4 lengths under new rider Jose Oritz.
“I thought it was a very good effort, a big effort,” McCarthy said. “He put himself in a great spot turning up the backside. He put in a solid run around the turn and was beaten by a 2-year-old champion [third-place Fierceness], a 3-year-old champion [runner-up Sierra Leone], and a two-time champion in Japan [winner Forever Young].”
Journalism has returned from Del Mar to his Santa Anita home base, where McCarthy said he was finalizing plans for winter. Journalism is likely to be turned out for a brief freshening. As for next year, McCarthy will enter the season with one of the top older horses in the country.
A son of Curlin produced by Grade 2 winner Mopotism, Journalism has won six races and $4,348,880 from 11 starts. He is owned by a partnership that includes Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, and Robert LaPenta.
Baeza to stay in training
Baeza, winner of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby, will remain in training next year at age 4, CRK Stables revealed in a post on X.
Trained by John Shirreffs, Baeza finished sixth in the BC Classic. Earlier this year, Baeza finished third in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and second in the Santa Anita Derby.
Baeza has won two races and $1,643,500 from nine starts. CRK is the stable name of Lee and Susan Searing.
A previous version of this article misstated Baeza's finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He finished sixth, not fifth.
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