Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Journalism

Dec 16, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert V. LaPenta’s Journalism earned 10 points on the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby following his 3 1/2-length score in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on Dec. 14. The talented two-year-old stopped the teletimer in 1:43.04 for conditioner Michael McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli.

Getaway Car, Gaming, Rank, and Mellencamp completed the order of finish and picked up qualifying points on a 5-3-2-1 basis, respectively.

“He broke very well and was nice and relaxed,” Rispoli said of Journalism. “I started to wind him up on the turn. He’s so smart and changed leads perfectly and then gave me a real nice finish.”

#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

Journalism made his first appearance on Oct. 27 in a six-furlong dash at Santa Anita and did his best work late when finishing a clear third under the wire. He preceded his Los Alamitos Futurity win with a maiden-breaking run at Del Mar over one mile on Nov. 17. His lifetime line now reads 3-2-0-1, $158,880.

“We gave this horse every opportunity not to run today, but he had two wonderful works, and he was very cool and composed in the paddock,” McCarthy said. “He’s picking things up fast.”

Journalism was bred in the Bluegrass State by Don Alberto Corp., and the son of Curlin brought the gavel down at a hefty $825,000 as a yearling in 2023 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. He is the first registered foal from the Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, who earned her biggest victory in the 2018 La Canada S. (G2) at Santa Anita. This is the same female line as 2006 Woody Stephens S. (G2) star Songster.

Journalism has registered ascending Brisnet Speed ratings of 84-95-99 from his three runs to date, which includes strong Late Pace figures of 101 and 104 in his pair of route races. The bay toppled a very good field in his stakes debut and seemingly has a very high ceiling going forward. I expect the expensive colt to be a major player on the Triple Crown trail in 2025 with continued improvement.