As the connections of the top finishers in the Haskell Stakes (G1) spend the next few days and weeks mulling plans for their 3-year-olds, some interesting possibilities abound.
Starting with Journalism, who notched his third grade 1 win of the year July 19 in the $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Park, the matchup racing fans desire would be another Sovereignty-Journalism showdown in the Aug. 23 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. But with trainer Michael McCarthy saying the son of Curlin is scheduled to return to his home base in California July 22, the Aug. 30 Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar versus older horses seems a wiser and more logical spot.
In the Travers, a win could vault Journalism to the top of the 3-year-old male division, but a third loss to Sovereignty would end any hope of earning an Eclipse Award.
Conversely, by staying west and winning the Pacific Classic, it would give Journalism four grade 1 wins and give him a race at the same track and distance as the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). A win there, with Journalism finally having the edge in less travel miles than Sovereignty, would give him five grade 1s and seal the 3-year-old deal while wrapping up Horse of the Year honors to boot.
As much as Journalism's presence would make the Travers a blockbuster, after running four times 3,000 miles away from his home track, the allure of closing out the year at home at Del Mar could be hard to pass up as the connections weigh their options over the next few weeks.
While Journalism won the Preakness Stakes (G1) over Gosger, he ran in all three legs of the Triple Crown and finished second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1). Sovereignty sat out the Preakness and has two grade 1 wins this year.
Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stable's homebred Gosger is headed back to Kentucky after a second straight heartbreaking half-length loss to Journalism in the Haskell. Trainer Brendan Walsh said the Travers was a possibility and the connections will monitor the son of Nyquist 's progress before deciding on his next start.
Though the Travers is in the picture, Gosger's best option for a much-deserved grade 1 win—which would boost his value as a stallion—would seem the Sept. 20 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing where he would likely be the favorite.
Trainer Bob Baffert said Goal Oriented, who was third in the Haskell just a neck behind Gosger, will ship to Saratoga and prepare for the Travers.
Speaking of which, the Travers picture should be clearer after the July 26 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at the Spa, which has attracted a field of five topped by Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty. Baeza, who was third in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and Sandman, who was third in the Preakness, were also entered along with Hill Road and Mo Plex.
On July 24 at the Spa, the restricted Curlin Stakes could produce a Travers prospect for two from a field of eight, topped by Strategic Focus, who is coming off a loss via disqualification in an allowance race in his second career start; multiple grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick; and Hypnus, a recent Churchill Downs allowance winner.
Journalism honors his late dam
For all of the celebrating among the Journalism camp after the Haskell win, there was a sense of melancholy as well.
The win came four days after Don Alberto Corporation announced Journalism's dam Mopotism died at the age of 11.
"It's been a very emotional week for Don Albero Corporation," said Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners head Aron Wellman. "They lost the dam of Journalism this week. But he found something that had to make his mom proud and they have some babies that will hopefully carry on the legacy as well. So this is especially gratifying and a really emotional win."
Don Alberto bred Journalism and retained a share of him after he was sold for $825,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. The ownership group also includes Eclipse, Bridlewood Farm, Robert LaPenta, Elyane Stables Five, and the Coolmore partners.
Mopotism, a grade 2 winner by Uncle Mo, was euthanized July 15 due to complications from colic. Journalism was her first foal. She also had a 2-year-old colt named Nitro Tap, a yearling Into Mischief filly and a 2025 Flightline filly.
Coolmore happy to have Journalism on stallion roster
Coolmore's decision to secure Journalism's breeding rights prior to winning his first grade 1 in the Santa Anita Derby has paid off handsomely for the group headed by Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
Michael Norris of the Coolmore America sales office was on hand for the Haskell and said Journalism will be one of Coolmore's most coveted stallions once his racing career comes to an end.
"He's a phenomenal racehorse. He's everything we look for in a stallion prospect," Norris said. "He's a son of Curlin out of a very good mare and when the day comes that he hangs up his boots and retires, he will be very sought after by everyone and will be at the top of our roster. It's been a great journey. It's a privilege for all of us to be involved in such a great partnership and opportunity."
