José Ortiz replaces Rispoli on Journalism in BC Classic

José Ortiz is in, and Umberto Rispoli is out as Journalism’s rider for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Lead owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Michael McCarthy both confirmed what Daily Racing Form first reported Friday. They did not say why when asked by Horse Racing Nation.

Video: Journalism breezes for Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The winner of the Preakness and Haskell (G1), Journalism finished second by 3 1/4 lengths to 4-year-old Fierceness on Aug. 30 as the 2-5 favorite in the Pacific Classic (G1). That was the 3-year-old Curlin colt’s first time racing against older rivals. The race was run over the same 1 1/4-mile course and distance as the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be run Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Rispoli rode Journalism in his eight of his first nine races with the only previous exception being a maiden-breaking win on second asking Nov. 17 at Del Mar. Ricardo González was in the irons that day. Rispoli was aboard for Journalism’s biggest wins, including a daring ride wedging his way between horses at the top of the Pimlico stretch in the Preakness.

Although he has had mounts in the last five Breeders’ Cups, Rispoli never has ridden in the Classic and is 0-for-18 in the other championship races.

Ortiz is 88: 6-10-10 with his most recent victory being last year on More Than Looks in the Mile. He has had five starters in the Classic but never finished better than fourth.

Journalism is best-priced as the 9-1 fourth choice in Las Vegas futures for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Sovereignty, who beat Journalism in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, is the 9-5 favorite.