2025 Kentucky Derby contenders – Journalism vaults into favorite’s role for McCarthy

Mar 11, 2025 James Scully

After saddling his first Kentucky Derby (G1) starter in 2024 (ninth placer Endlessly), Michael McCarthy will look to make a serious impact in this year’s Run for the Roses. He trains leading contender Journalism, an impressive winner of the San Felipe (G2) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in his last two starts, and let’s preview McCarthy’s top hopefuls in advance of the final round of 2025 Kentucky Derby prep races.

Journalism

A dominant maiden scorer when stretching to two turns in mid-November, Journalism will bring a three-race win streak to the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5. The Curlin colt rallied from just off the pace to capture the Los Alamitos Futurity by open lengths in mid-December, and the stalker offered a formidable finishing kick when returning from a 2 1/2-month layoff in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe on March 1, closing fast to reel in odds-on Barnes and win going away by nearly two lengths. Journalism registered outstanding Brisnet Speed (104) and Late Pace (113) numbers in the San Felipe, and he’s bred to appreciate longer distances this spring. Journalism is out of the Grade 2-winning mare Mopotism, a daughter of Uncle Mo, the sire of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and broodmare sire of 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.

#5 Journalism ($7.60) reports to the finish line first in the @losalracing Futurity (GII) to earn 10 @KentuckyDerby points. #KyDerby151

Jockey: @umbyrispoli
Trainer: @mwmracing #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/dmmNwVzFjQ

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 15, 2024

Bullard

A convincing winner in his first two starts, including the seven-furlong Bob Hope (G3), Bullard was forced to scratch after spiking a fever prior to the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 23. The Gun Runner colt still has time to get back on track, and we’ll watch to see if Bullard can get back on the worktab soon.

🐎 Del Mar 2-year-old watch 👀

The Michael McCarthy trainee Bullard uncorked a strong rally to run down the Bob Baffert hotpot Kalea Bay on Sunday. The $675K yearling is a Gun Runner 1/2 brother to Mundaye Call.

Add Bullard to your #StableAlerts ⬇️ https://t.co/EbKnsv9cSC pic.twitter.com/69VRmHTd25

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 4, 2024

Legitimate

After losing his first five starts last year, Legitimate turned things around stylishly when opening his three-year-old season in an off-the-turf maiden at Santa Anita in late January, drawing off to win by 12+ lengths over a two-turn mile. He hasn’t worked since Feb. 22, so let’s hope nothing is amiss. The son of Authentic received a solid 95 Speed rating last time, and I’m excited to see how Legitimate handles the transition to stakes competition.