Journalism, winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1) and runner-up in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) will make his next start in the July 19 Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park if all goes well over the coming days.
Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which co-owns the Curlin colt along with Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, said the timing, prestige, and $1 million purse make the Haskell an ideal return to the track.
"If all goes well this coming week and he breezes as well and comes out of it in good order with good energy, that would be our likely next start," he told BloodHorse.
Wellman said the colt's connections don't want to get too far ahead of themselves in plotting out beyond the next step for Journalism. Wellman said it would be a disservice to Journalism and the industry to proclaim their plans after each race.
"Our first half of the year was entirely focused on a Triple Crown campaign, and now we just want to take it on a race-by-race basis," he said. "If things continue to go well, the Haskell would be very much in play. Beyond that, everybody knows what the obvious options would be from there. And hopefully he'll allow us to work backwards from the Breeders' Cup Classic."
The year has been a smashing success for the Michael McCarthy-trained Journalism, who was bred by Don Alberto. He is 3-2-0 from five starts with more than $3 million in earnings.
"This is a horse that has always had elite potential written all over him, and, thankfully, he's lived up to our expectations," Wellman said.
