Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Journalism

Journalism

Colt by Curlin – Mopotism, by Uncle Mo

Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corp. ($825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners)

Journalism’s impressive win in the Grade 2 San Felipe moves him into the favorite’s role on the latest Derby Watch list. The colt is by a sire who has been exceptionally successful in the American classics and who balances out a female family that is lighter on top-level accomplishments.

Curlin, by classic sire Smart Strike, raced with distinction through the 2007 Triple Crown, finishing third in the Kentucky Derby, winning the Preakness Stakes, and running second in the Belmont Stakes. The two-time Horse of the Year’s other Grade/Group 1 wins at route distances include the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2008 Dubai World Cup.

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As a sire, Curlin is known for passing on stamina. He is the sire of 2013 Belmont winner Palace Malice and 2016 Derby runner-up and Preakness winner Exaggerator. Six other individuals by the stallion have finished in the top three in Triple Crown races, including Eclipse Award champion Good Magic, second to Triple Crown winner Justify in the 2018 Kentucky Derby; and Eclipse champion filly Nest, second against males in the 2022 Belmont.

Curlin’s other Eclipse champions have generally excelled at longer distances. The group includes Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso; Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Malathaat; Distaff winner Idiomatic; and Stellar Wind. His outliers are 2023 Horse of the Year Cody’s Wish, two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, and two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and champion Elite Power.

Journalism is the first foal out of Mopotism, who won the Grade 2 La Canada at a mile. She was on the board in 10 other graded stakes, including a third-place finish in the Grade 1 La Brea at seven furlongs, a third in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita at 1 1/8 miles, and a third in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at 1 1/16 miles around one turn at Belmont Park.

Mopotism’s dam, Peppy Rafaela, is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-winning sprinter Songster. Mopotism, Journalism, and Songster are the only graded stakes winners under Mopotism’s first three dams.

Champion Uncle Mo is emerging as a solid broodmare sire, with multiple Grade 1 winners out of his daughters, including reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.

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