Belmont Stakes: Journalism is a go after Sunday breeze

Journalism, winner of the Preakness, will look to avenge his runner-up effort to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby when the foes are matched again in Saturday’s $2 million Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.

Trained by Michael McCarthy for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Bob LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, the Into Mischief bay worked a solo half-mile in 47.54 seconds Sunday morning over the Spa main track with jockey Umberto Rispoli up.

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New York Racing Association clockers timed the talented colt through splits of an opening quarter-mile in 23.0 seconds before galloping out in 1:00.0 and 1:12.8.

McCarthy confirmed after the stellar move that Journalism would be entered in the fray and become the only horse to contest all three legs of this year’s Triple Crown.

“Based off of what I saw here this morning, I’d be hard-pressed to find a reason not to enter,” McCarthy said. “Very good (work), just kind of a maintenance work. Obviously you saw him kind of pick it up through the lane and gallop out strongly. Final quarter in 23 and three, 23 and four, something like that. Racetrack is probably a half-step quicker.

“He’s a wonderful mover. He gets over the ground very well. He’s got an incredible stride on him.”

Rispoli said Journalism was in good form throughout the breeze.

“It was very positive. He’s a horse that everyone knows is very intelligent, smart, he does everything right,” Rispoli said. “It looks like he didn’t even run two weeks ago. He took his work very well. He was very good on the track. He was happy.”

A text from the NYRA racing office Sunday said eight horses were expected to be entered for the Belmont. The post-position draw will be held Monday at 5 p.m. EDT at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The Curlin bay has also captured the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, San Felipe (G2) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) while banking $2,838,880 through a 7: 5-1-1 record.

McCarthy, who arrived in New York on Friday, had said he wanted to spend a couple days around the horse before making a decision on entering.

“Off of what I’ve seen, all the videos and what have you, the horse seems like he’s maintaining his edge, maintaining his form,” McCarthy said. “He put forth a heck of an effort in the Preakness. Coming back in three weeks’ time, obviously a solid piece of work here with little to no urging. It’s cooler up here. It seems like he’s enjoying himself, a fresh horse. I think sometimes with these good horses, you don’t really find out until race day and the running starts. (With) all of them you can get fooled a bit, but he is a horse that I’ve thought could participate in all three (Triple Crown) races.”

McCarthy said Journalism has taken each challenge presented to him in his stride.

“He’s been like that since July of last year. He’ll go as fast as you’d like, as slow as you’d like. Good racehorses do those things,” McCarthy said.

Rispoli said he was looking forward to the opportunity to again take on Sovereignty and Derby third-place finisher Baeza.

“I think it’s going to be good for the sport,” Rispoli said. “I wouldn't exclude Baeza as well. Baeza was a head (actually a neck) from me in the Kentucky Derby. I think he’s a serious contender.

“Both of them (Sovereignty and Baeza) had four, five weeks to recover before going to the Belmont. I always say the best horse is going win. Hopefully, it will be our time this time. Both of us I would say had a good trip in the Derby. He beat me. Definitely the slop didn't help me. Probably helped Sovereignty more than my horse, but that’s the game.”

Win or lose, Rispoli said he is honored to have the call on a classic-winning horse.

“It's a privilege. Horses like that don’t come around every year,” Rispoli said. “A horse that gives you a chance to ride the three legs of the Triple Crown, you don’t see many of them around. After 20 years of a career, to find a horse like that is unbelievable.”