Journalism Wins Santa Anita Derby; Looks to Be Strong Kentucky Derby Favorite

ARCADIA, CA — Journalism punctuated his status as the top 3-year-old in the country Saturday when earning a rousing victory under Umberto Rispoli in the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita Park. 

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism (1-1) unleashed an outside rally near the quarter pole and surged past leader Baeza (14-1) inside the final furlong to win by three-quarters of a length. The winning rally came after Journalism, who had been tracking the pace along the inside, had to momentarily take up entering the second turn and briefly lost momentum.

“That’s such a good animal to be able to get out of there,” Rispoli said. “It’s rare for a horse to get held up at the three-eighths pole and to get back in the race in that way. It’s always difficult, especially for such a big horse. But he has such an amazing style and is just an amazing horse.’

Added McCarthy: “He had me worried for a jump or two. Special horse.”

Journalism now with 122.5 points towards the Road to the Kentucky Derby and likely secured himself as the Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite after the win.

Baeza, with Hector Berrios aboard for trainer John Shirreffs, finished 8 ½-lengths clear of third-place finisher Westwood, who is also trained by Shirreffs. Citizen Bull, last year’s champion 2-year-old and 2-1 second choice, finished fourth with Barnes (5-2) completing the order of finish. Citizen Bull and Barnes are both trained by Bob Baffert. 

It was a good start for all in the 88^th edition of the Santa Anita Derby. Grabbing the early lead was Westwood, who outfooted Citizen Bull and set a quarter-mile split of 22.25 seconds. Barnes was following that pair on the outside in third with Journalism tucked along the rail behind the two dueling leaders. Baeza was racing widest of all in fifth.

Citizen Bull and jockey Martin Garcia would move past Westwood before setting a half mile split of 47.14 seconds. Baeza had moved up to third at that point while Journalism found himself last among a tightly bunched field. 

Citizen Bull led Westwood by a head through six furlongs in 1:11.42, which was about the point Journalism had his brief trouble.

“I was trapped on the fence, and I thought, ‘Wow, this isn’t looking good,’” Rispoli said. “I knew my only way out was to push Barnes a little bit. I got through.”

As Journalism re-gathered his momentum. Baeza had taken aim at Citizen Bull and seized the lead. Baeza motored through the stretch and held a one-length lead at the eighth pole, but he was unable to hold off the oncoming rush from Journalism. 

“He ran super,” Shirreffs said of the runner-up.

Journalism won in a time of 1:49.56. Before the Santa Anita Derby was run, he closed as the 5-1 favorite in this weekend’s Kentucky Derby Future Wager. 

“I saw a little bit of adversity today, which you saw around the far turn,” McCarthy said. “It took him a little bit to get his feet under him, but once Umberto was able to wheel him outside, he started getting him through his gears. He started to pick it up towards the end, leveled off nicely. He looked like he finished up well and galloped out well.”

By Curlin out of the Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, Journalism improved to 5: 4-0-1 with $638,880 in earnings. He is owned by an extensive partnership group that includes breeder Don Alberto Stable, Bridlewood Farm Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and Robert LaPenta.

Prior to the Santa Anita Derby, it was announced Journalism would stand at Coolmore following his racing career. Coolmore’s Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor were also listed on the ownership line as lessees.

Prior to the Santa Anita Derby, Journalism won the San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita in scintillating fashion on March 1. That effort earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, which is the highest posted by an active 3-year-old this year. Journalism closed out his juvenile campaign with a win in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in December.

For Rispoli, a 36-year-old native of Italy, this was his second win in the Santa Anita Derby. He also won it in 2021 with Rock Your World for trainer John Sadler, As for McCarthy, who was raised in Arcadia and attended nearby Arcadia High School, this was his first victory in Santa Anita’s marquee race for 3-year-olds.

“It’s pretty exciting,” McCarthy said. “It’s a huge day on the Santa Anita calendar, a huge day on any calendar, or any kind of Derby before the Kentucky Derby. So to go ahead and be a part of this and be lucky enough to win, it is special.”

Baffert came away disappointed with the efforts from his two colts, particularly Citizen Bull.

“I was discouraged he didn’t get the win today,” Baffert said. “He got tired. He’s a heavy horse. The track was deep today. We will figure this out. We have a week and then we’ll decide what is next.”

Baffert added with Barnes “we need to regroup.”

Journalism’s win came before an on-track crowd of 34,812, which is the highest Santa Anita Derby Day attendance since 2018 when a crowd of 32,089 was at The Great Race Place.

Journalism paid $4.00, $2.80 and $2.10. Baeza returned $6.20 and $3.60. Westwood paid $5.20.

JOCKEY QUOTES

UMBERTO RISPOLI, JOURNALISM, WINNER: “That’s such a good animal to be able to get out of there. It’s rare for a horse to get held up at the three-eighths pole and to get back in the race in that way. It’s always difficult, especially for such a big horse. But he has such an amazing style and is just an amazing horse.

“I was trapped on the fence, and I thought, ‘Wow, this isn’t looking good.’ I knew my only way out was to push Barnes a little bit, I got through. This is just a great animal. Not many horses that big could make it out of there especially on a track like Santa Anita’s. I have to give credit to Michael (McCarthy) and all the guys in the barn. It’s an amazing time for everybody.”

HECTOR BERRIOS, BAEZA, SECOND: “He is a baby still and loses focus. When we got to the stretch, he started lugging and lugging. I thought, ‘Come on now.’ Then when he felt the other horse (Journalism), he came back.”

JUAN HERNANDEZ, BARNES, FIFTH: “He was training really well.  He just didn’t run his race. I thought he would improve after the last race. I think he will show up in the future.”

TRAINER QUOTES

MICHAEL MCCARTHY, JOURNALISM, WINNER: “It’s pretty exciting. It’s a huge day on the Santa Anita calendar, a huge day on any calendar or any kind of Derby before the Kentucky Derby, so to go ahead and be a part of this and be lucky enough to win. It is special.

“He had me worried for a jump or two. Special horse.

“I saw a little bit of adversity today which you saw around the far turn. It took him a little bit to get his feet under him but once Umberto was able to wheel him outside, he started getting him through his gears. He started to pick it up towards the end, leveled off nicely and he looked like he finished up well and galloped out well.”

JOHN SHIRREFFS, BAEZA, SECOND: “He ran super.”

BOB BAFFERT, CITIZEN BULL, FOURTH: “I was discouraged (Citizen Bull) didn’t get the win today.  He got tired. He’s a heavy horse. The track was deep today. We will figure this out. We have a week and then we’ll decide what is next.  That was pretty impressive win by Journalism.  He’s a very good horse and he has the right style. Mike McCarthy has done a great job with him.”

BOB BAFFERT, BARNES, FIFTH: “We have to regroup. That happens.”

OWNER QUOTES

ARON WELLMAN, ECLIPSE THOROUGHBRED PARTNERS, PART OWNER, JOURNALISM, WINNER:“We knew we’d have a target on our back today. He announced his presence in the DK Horse San Felipe, He was on the rail today and facing two Bafferts, two Shirreffs we knew that they were going to be riding us and they did. For him to overcome that adversity today it just proves what a spectacular horse he is. Credit goes to Michael and his team as you well know these people live and breathe this industry, sport this business, morning, noon and night…Don Albert (part-owner) bred a beautiful horse, it was just a lot of good energy and the horse is doing all the talking for us.”