Journalism Works Toward Classic; Jose Ortiz Gains Mount

With 15 days until the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), multiple grade 1 winner Journalism turned in his penultimate work the morning of Oct. 17 at Santa Anita Park. Journalism breezed 5 furlongs in company with stablemate Yellow Card, runner-up in the Sept. 27 Eddie D Stakes (G2T). Working inside of Yellow Card, the Curlin colt pulled away from his workmate past the quarter pole and caught some unexpected company down the lane. He stopped the timer in :59 1/5, the second-fastest of 43 works at the distance. "He finished strong and galloped out strong," trainer Michael McCarthy said. Yellow Card was timed in 1:00 1/5. Aboard Journalism for the drill was his regular work rider, Tony Gutierrez. "It was good for him," Gutierrez said of the work. "We were going to get a little serious today. I caught my workmate near the quarter pole, but then when (Journalism) saw that horse in front of us, he puffed himself up, went to the rail, and chased him. It was perfect. Everything with him is perfect. His mind. His body. He wasn't even blowing when I got him back to the barn. Amazing horse." The $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 1 at Del Mar will be Journalism's first start since late summer. The Preakness Stakes (G1) winner has been unraced since finishing second to 2023 champion 2-year-old male Fierceness in the Aug. 30 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) in his first foray against older horses. Owned by an extensive partnership that includes Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Journalism has never finished worse than second in seven starts this year. In addition to the Preakness, he captured the Haskell Stakes (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and San Felipe Stakes (G2). It was revealed Friday that jockey Jose Ortiz will replace Umberto Rispoli aboard Journalism in the Classic. The Daily Racing Form's Steve Andersen first reported the news. "I’m very excited to have the opportunity from the owners and the trainer," Ortiz later told FanDuel from Keeneland. "I think he’s a great horse and he's very live in the race. He’s got a big heart, and he fights." Ortiz, based in Kentucky, hopes to fly out to California to get acquainted with Journalism in the weeks leading up to the Breeders' Cup. Rispoli had ridden Journalism in all but one of his 10 prior starts, including five victories. Aron Wellman, the president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, declined to elaborate on the decision to DRF. Rispoli had received a rash of public criticism after his ride on Journalism in the Preakness, in which the colt bumped rivals in an effort to secure running room in a roughly contested contest.