Journalism writes his way into divisional picture with Los Alamitos Futurity win

CYPRESS, Calif. – Seven weeks after his first start, Journalism won his stakes debut in Saturday’s Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity to gain a place among the leading 3-year-old prospects of 2025.

Journalism ($7.60) closed from third of five to catch pacesetter Getaway Car in the final furlong. Journalism, ridden by Umberto Rispoli for trainer Michael McCarthy, drew clear in the final sixteenth to win by a convincing 3 1:2 lengths.

Getaway Car, fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 1, finished second at 7-2, three lengths clear of 1-2 favorite Gaming who was second in the BC Juvenile.

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Journalism ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.04 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 87.

“He went on pretty well,” Rispoli said of the finish.

Getaway Car led narrowly over Gaming on the turn, with Journalism racing three wide in third. Entering the stretch, Journalism moved closer to Getaway Car at a time Gaming was failing to keep pace.

“My only concern was Getaway Car,” Rispoli said.

Rispoli described Journalism as “concentrating and focused” in the gate. Early in the race, Journalism stalked Getaway Car, who set early fractions of 23.93 for the opening quarter-mile and 47.75 for a half-mile.

Gaming finished outside of the first two for the first time in the Los Alamitos Futurity, his fourth start. Prior to the BC Juvenile, Gaming won the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs at Del Mar.

The loss on Saturday disappointed jockey Flavien Prat.

“I can’t find any excuses,” Prat said. “I thought I had a chance. I was traveling well in the turn. When I asked him, he didn’t fire.”

Rank and Mellencamp, both maidens, finished fourth and fifth.

Gaming, Getaway Car, and Mellencamp are trained by Bob Baffert, who has won the Los Alamitos Futurity eight times in the 11 runnings since the race was moved from Hollywood Park to Los Alamitos in 2014.

Journalism, a colt by Curlin, has won 2 of 3 starts and earned $158,880 for the partnership of Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, and Robert LaPenta.

Journalism was third in a six-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita on Oct. 17 and won a one-mile maiden race at Del Mar on Nov. 17. In that win, Journalism closed from fifth of 10 to take the lead in the final furlong, drawing clear by 2 1/2 lengths.

Journalism won with the same style on Saturday with much greater implications.

McCarthy said in the winner’s circle that he plans to give Journalism a break before resuming racing as early as February.

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