A Shock, Chaos... and a Miracle: Journalism Wins a Preakness for the Ages

In a Chaotic Stretch, Don Alberto's Colt Fought Through Like a Champion to Capture the Second Jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown

Journalism (red cap) in the thick of the battle as they hit the stretch / PIMLICO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

For a few heart-stopping seconds, it felt like everything stood still. The scene turned dramatic, and a wave of panic swept through as horses jostled for position—some unintentionally, others with less innocence. It was a moment of mayhem, yet it would be the defining scene of the 150th running of the GI Preakness Stakes (1 3/16 miles, fast track, $2 million purse), a race that offered Journalism the redemption he had narrowly missed in the GI Kentucky Derby, where he finished second to Sovereignty (Into Mischief) over the slop at Churchill Downs.

Those jolting blows at the top of the stretch were replayed endlessly on computers, phones, and social media. In hindsight, it seems nearly impossible that a 3-year-old could recover from such a tangle and still summon the strength to rise from the ashes and pull off a miracle with only yards left to run.

But such was the dominance of the son of Curlin, a dark bay who delivered glory to Haras Don Alberto and, by extension, to South American racing, with the Chilean colors of Liliana Solari and Carlos Heller hoisting the storied Woodlawn Vase, one of the most coveted (and beautiful) trophies in the sport, in their dual role as breeder and owner.

In the aftermath, there was no shortage of commentary. Did jockey Umberto Rispoli show courage or recklessness in going inside? Did he miscalculate and get lucky that his mount bailed him out?

Many were reminded of the dramatic 2005 edition of the Preakness, when Scrappy T (Fit to Fight) nearly sent Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet) to the ground, only for the latter to somehow recover and win.

In the early going, Clever Again (American Pharoah) set the pace, while Journalism and Rispoli were boxed in along the rail in sixth, uncomfortably trapped and feeling the heat of the fast early fractions.

Overhead footage revealed a crucial moment on the far turn: Rispoli started to angle outside but realized he would have to circle four rivals—too much ground to give away. He dove back inside.

From there, Journalism began to stride out with purpose, launching a rail-skimming move behind the leader, with Goal Oriented (Not This Time) to his right, and no clear path in sight. But the favorite was relentless, and Rispoli could only hang on.

Flavien Prat on Goal Oriented gave no room. In his bid to break through, Journalism bumped Clever Again, forcing José Ortiz to check sharply. Suddenly, a seam opened, the colt surged forward, and the chase was on. Gosger(Nyquist), who had taken advantage of the traffic to open up on the inside, looked to have stolen it.

The crowd roared as the gap closed rapidly, and it became clear that nothing—not even chaos—would keep Journalism from victory. “Oh my goodness!” cried the race caller as the favorite surged past late to win by a half-length. There was an objection, but it was swiftly dismissed.

After the race, all eyes turned to Rispoli. “I still can’t believe what this horse did today,” he said, overcome with emotion. “I got into trouble on the far turn, and he just figured it out. All the credit goes to him. It’s a privilege to ride a horse like this. I won a leg of the Triple Crown and I’m crying like a kid. When I crossed the wire, the last 20 years of my career flashed before my eyes. I waited a long time to sit on a champion like this.”

He added: “On the backstretch, he wasn’t traveling like he did in the Derby. That usually means one of two things—you’re out of horse, or he’s too relaxed. I think it was the latter. As soon as I tapped him on the shoulder, he said, ‘okay, I know what to do.’”

Trainer Michael McCarthy, now a perfect two-for-two in the Preakness after winning in 2021 with Rombauer(Twirling Candy), was beaming. “It was a great day. Losing the Derby a few weeks ago was frustrating, but it wasn’t the end of the world. We regrouped and everything went our way today.

“When I saw the bumping in the stretch, I thought he’d run a good second. But he never quit. Hats off to Umberto and Journalism for their perseverance. That’s what it takes to be a champion. Today, he showed it.”

With one of the most thrilling Preakness victories in recent memory under his belt, Journalism now sets his sights on the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga in three weeks, likely for a rematch with Sovereignty. It promises to be a must-see showdown.