Journalism works half-mile, but no agenda set
?q=100)
ARCADIA, Calif. - Journalism worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday, three weeks after his second-place finish in the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
Trainer Michael McCarthy said Sunday’s workout was an indication of Journalism’s desire for more serious exercise.
“He was acting like he wanted to do something,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy timed Journalism galloping out five furlongs in a minute.
After the workout, McCarthy said he does not have a summertime race goal planned for Journalism, who was second in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3 and won the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 17.
McCarthy was reluctant to predict when Journalism will have another workout.
“He could come back in six days,” McCarthy said. “He could come back in 10 days. He could come back in seven days.
“He’s acting like he’s in a good place.”
Journalism was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby and by three lengths by that rival in the Belmont Stakes.
Journalism has won 5 of 8 starts and earned $3,198,880 for the partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Robert LaPenta, Don Alberto Stable, and Elayne Stables 5 LLC.
Baeza, trained by John Shirreffs, was third in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. On Friday at Santa Anita, Baeza worked a quick half-mile in 46.40 seconds, his second workout since the Belmont.
Shirreffs said on Sunday that the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga on July 26, and the Travers Stakes are under consideration. He said the unknown variable of weather in upstate New York is part of the decision process.
“If you go for one do you stay for the other?” he said. “What’s the weather going to be like?”
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.