Journalism turned in a spectacular piece of work at Saratoga and has been confirmed for the GI Belmont Stakes

The GI Preakness S. winner will seek redemption against Sovereignty next Saturday at Saratoga in the final leg of the Triple Crown

Journalism turned heads with a dazzling performance at Saratoga / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).-After capturing the GI Preakness S. and finishing second in the GI Kentucky Derby, Journalism will get his chance at redemption next Saturday in the GI Belmont S., where he’ll once again face his conqueror Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. This year’s edition will be run at Saratoga, with a $2-million purse under the sponsorship of NYRA Bets.

Trained by Michael McCarthy for a high-profile partnership that includes Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Taborand Derrick Smith, the son of Curlin turned in his final work for the race Sunday morning.

With Umberto Rispoli aboard, the dark bay breezed a half-mile in :47.54 over the main track at Saratoga. NYRA clockers caught him in :23 flat for the opening quarter, with a strong gallop-out in 1:00 and 1:12.80 for six furlongs.

Following the solid move, McCarthy confirmed that Journalism will take his spot in the Belmont, making him the only horse to contest all three legs of the 2025 Triple Crown.

“After what I saw this morning, I’d be hard-pressed to come up with a reason not to run,” the trainer said. “It was a very nice move, more of a maintenance breeze. He finished well down the lane and galloped out strong around the turn. The final split was something like :23 and change—maybe :23 3/5, :23 4/5. The track was playing a little fast, but the horse moved beautifully.”

“He’s just an incredible mover—covers so much ground and has a tremendous stride,” McCarthy added.

Rispoli, who guided him to victory in the Preakness, was equally pleased: “It was all very positive. He’s such a smart horse—does everything right. You wouldn’t think he ran two weeks ago. He handled the breeze with joy; he felt happy out there.”

Post positions for the Belmont will be drawn Monday at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Already a winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby, GII San Felipe S., and GII Los Alamitos Futurity, Journalism brings a record of 7-5-1-1 with earnings in excess of $2.8 million.

McCarthy, who arrived in New York on Friday, said he wanted to spend a couple of days with the colt before making a final decision. “From the videos I’d seen, he looked like he still had plenty in the tank. The Preakness effort was huge, and today he worked without any pressure. The weather is cooler here and he seems to like that. Sometimes with good horses, you don’t really know where you stand until the gate opens. But I’ve always believed he had the ability to run in all three.”

The trainer also praised the colt’s demeanor from the start. “He’s been that way since last July—goes as fast or as slow as you ask. That’s what good horses do.”

Rispoli looked ahead to the anticipated rematch with Sovereignty—and also acknowledged Baeza (McKinzie), third in the Derby—as a potential threat.

“I think it’s going to be great for the sport,” he said. “I wouldn’t count out Baeza either. He beat me by a head in the Derby. He’s a serious horse.”

“They’ve had four or five weeks between races, while we’re coming back in three—but sometimes the best horse wins regardless. Hopefully this time it’s us. Both Journalism and Sovereignty had clean trips in the Derby. He beat me fair and square. Maybe the heavy track helped him a little more than us, but that’s racing.”

Regardless of the outcome, Rispoli is thankful for the opportunity: “It’s a privilege. Horses like this don’t come around every year. Getting to ride all three jewels of the Triple Crown on one horse—it’s not something you experience often. After 20 years in the saddle, finding a horse like this is just incredible.”

Earlier Sunday, Rispoli was also aboard multiple graded stakes winner Endlessly, another McCarthy trainee, who worked over the Oklahoma training track in preparation for the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan S., part of the Belmont Day card.

“He went very well,” McCarthy said. “He’s a turf horse and the ground had a bit of give in it, but he finished with energy and galloped out with good rhythm. He’s already had a race this year, and I think the added three-sixteenths of a mile in the Manhattan will really suit him.”

A homebred son of Oscar Performance for Amerman Racing, Endlessly sports a record of 9-5-0-1 with earnings of $749,200.