Journalism Favored Among Nine Expected for G1 Preakness Stakes

The second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown will be run next Saturday over 1,900 meters on the dirt at Pimlico

Journalism seeks redemption and looms as a top contender / BENOIT PHOTO

Runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby, Journalism was installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the 150th running of the GI Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown, which will be held this Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. The son of Curlin drew post position two in a field of nine 3-year-olds, during Monday’s post-position draw held at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery.

Racing in the silks of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, Journalism finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief) when second as the 3-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby. Prior to that, he had reeled off four straight wins, including a dominant score in the GI Santa Anita Derby.

Trainer Michael McCarthy will again entrust the chestnut to Umberto Rispoli, as the team aims to replicate their 2021 Preakness success with Rombauer (Twirling Candy).

Second choice on the morning line at 4-1 is Sandman, who will break from post 7. The Tapit colt, owned by D J Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables, captured the GI Arkansas Derbybut finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby after encountering traffic in the early stages.

“You never want the rail draw, but it worked for War of Will and American Pharoah,” said trainer Mark Casse. “Journalism is clearly the horse to beat. We don’t know how he’ll come back on short rest. We don’t know that about ourselves, either.”

Griffin Johnson, a popular influencer and part-owner of Sandman, was on hand for the draw: “I was supposed to go to a wedding, but on Saturday Mark called and said, ‘We’re running him.’ I was so excited. I love watching him run.” John Velazquez will ride Sandman for the first time.

River Thames, the 9-2 third choice, drew post 6. The Maclean’s Music colt is owned by WinStar Farm LLC, CHC Inc., Pantofel Stable LLC, and Wachtel Stable. Runner-up in the GII Fountain of Youth and third in the GI Blue Grass, he was pointed to the Preakness by Todd Pletcher, who seeks his first victory in the race to complete a personal Triple Crown as a trainer. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call.

Clever Again (American Pharoah) breaks from post 8 with Jose Ortiz aboard. Unbeaten and a winner of the Hot Springs Stakes in his latest effort, he will carry the colors of Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. He is listed at 5-1 on the morning line. Trainer Steve Asmussen has won the Preakness with Curlin (2007) and Rachel Alexandra (2009).

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, an eight-time Preakness winner, will saddle Goal Oriented, who drew the rail. The Not This Time colt is undefeated in two starts and comes off an impressive front-running allowance optional claiming win on Derby Day. Flavien Prat will be in the irons. “He’s not as fast on paper as some others, but he’s a good horse,” said Baffert.

Heart of Honor (Honor A.P.), who just missed in the G2 UAE Derby in Dubai, drew post 4 and will be partnered by Saffie Osborne in a bid for a historic victory.

The field is completed by:

• American Promise (Justify, post 3), 16th in the Derby;

• Gosger (Nyquist, post 9), winner of the GIII Lexington Stakes at Keeneland; and

• Pay Billy (Improbable, post 5), who earned his way in by taking the Federico Tesio Stakes. Trainer Michael Gorham said: “He’s got tactical speed. We just don’t want to be too far back.”