Seeking first win in a year, Journalism heavily favored in San Diego Handicap

Accompanied by high expectations and corresponding low odds, Journalism returns to Del Mar on Saturday for a stakes race that most anticipate will jump-start the colt’s 4-year-old campaign.

The fact that Journalism has not won in a year is not a criticism. The battle-tested multiple Grade 1 winner has never dodged a rival, or a race. He was the only horse to start in all three legs of the 2025 Triple Crown, winning the Preakness Stakes and finishing second in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont.

But it’s been a long time since Journalism crossed the wire first. The drought can end Saturday in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile race in which Journalism is the even-money favorite over Grade 1 winner Full Serrano and five others who are less accomplished.

Journalism is the star. Michael McCarthy trains the colt, whose Grade 1 victories with jockey Umberto Rispoli include the Santa Anita Derby, Preakness, and Haskell Stakes last July at Monmouth Park. Rispoli subsequently lost the mount to Jose Ortiz, but Rispoli is back aboard Journalism on Saturday. Everything points to a San Diego victory at a short price.

“Obviously, it’s frustrating having not won a race since the Haskell last year, but all indicators are that he’s running his race,” said Aron Wellman, president of Journalism’s co-owner, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “Not looking for any excuses. We’re looking forward to the second half of the year.”

Journalism does not need excuses. He runs everywhere, against everyone, and always shows up. Since the Haskell, he finished second in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, both at Del Mar; third in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap; and third in the Grade 1 Met Mile at Saratoga.

“The form he’s kept has been incredible,” Wellman noted last Saturday at Santa Anita, where Journalism and Rispoli whistled through a typically sharp five-furlong team workout.

All that Journalism needs on Saturday is a clean trip against a field he towers over on speed figures and class. And yes, he could use a confidence-builder.

“People say that, but he’s also got to run against a Breeders’ Cup champion,” Wellman said, referring to Full Serrano. “Hopefully, it translates into a confidence-builder, but we can’t take anything for granted. There are no easy races. They’re all wars when you get to this level.”

Journalism carries 125-pound top weight over Full Serrano, who carries 122. John Sadler trains Full Serrano, whose 3 for 5 record at Del Mar includes a front-running win in the Grade 1 BC Dirt Mile in 2024. Full Serrano has not raced since March 28, when he stumbled badly at the start of the Oaklawn Mile, unleashed a big middle move, and finished fourth. He was best.

A foot issue has prevented Full Serrano from racing since, but his workout pattern suggests he is on target.

“He’s going to run well,” Sadler said. “He always runs a good race every time we take him over there. It’s not like he needs a race or anything. We expect a good, strong performance.”

Joel Rosario rides Full Serrano, while Emisael Jaramillo will ride Sadler’s second starter, The Goat. A three-time Group 1 winner in Chile, The Goat finished fourth in his U.S. debut in the Grade 3 Triple Bend on May 31 at Santa Anita, a seven-furlong sprint in which he surprisingly pressed the pace before he tired.

“He was off a very long layoff, a year-plus,” Sadler said. “We didn’t really love the trip, but he’s training like he’s got some quality.”

Shea Brennan, a multiple Cal-bred stakes winner, moves up following a comeback stakes victory at Los Alamitos. Phil D’Amato trains the 4-year-old, whose best races are still ahead.

“I think he’s going to move more forward second time [off the layoff],” D’Amato said. “You know he can go two turns, you know he can dirt, and he really likes Del Mar. It’s ripe for taking a shot.”

Armando Ayuso rides Shea Brennan, a Tough Sunday colt who is the only California-bred in the field.

D’Amato also entered Iron Man Cal, who was gelded prior to his last-start victory in a second-level turf allowance. Graded stakes-placed as a 2-year-old, Iron Man Cal is now 4 and racing on dirt for the first time.

“He trains sensational on the dirt,” D’Amato said. “We’ve checked off all the boxes in terms of having him eat dirt, and he’s passed the test in the morning, so now is the time to take a shot. If he doesn’t run well, we could go back in the Del Mar Mile [on turf].”

According to D’Amato, Iron Man Cal is more relaxed and focused since he was gelded. Antonio Fresu rides.

Mc Vay and comebacker Mirahmadi also entered the San Diego. Mirahmadi has not raced since last July, when he finished second in the San Diego behind his Bob Baffert-trained stablemate Nysos.

The pace of the San Diego is likely to be set by either Mirahmadi or Full Serrano. Journalism will rally from behind as most likely winner on the Saturday card.