There's a certain magic to horse racing, isn't there? That raw power, the thundering hooves, the sheer will of these magnificent animals. And then there are the stories that unfold on the track, the ones that make you lean in, holding your breath.
Take the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes. It was a race that had a bit of everything, a real nail-biter that showcased the heart of a champion. Journalism, a horse many had their eyes on, especially after a strong showing in the Kentucky Derby, found himself in a bit of a tussle down the stretch. It looked, for a moment, like history might repeat itself – another second-place finish, a frustrating echo of the Derby where Sovereignty edged him out.
But this is where the narrative truly takes flight. Journalism, true to his name, didn't just report on the action; he became a central part of it. Bumped by Goal Oriented near the quarter pole, a moment that could have easily derailed his charge, he instead dug deep. It's a testament to his spirit, as trainer Michael McCarthy put it, "a lot of bouncing around there... I kind of resigned myself to the fact it was another fantastic effort and maybe come up a little bit short. But it just goes to show the testament that this horse has. Couldn't be prouder of him."
And then, he ran right by Gosger. It was a surge of pure determination, a powerful display of resilience that saw him snatch victory. Gosger came in a respectable second, a half-length behind, with Sandman and Goal Oriented rounding out the top four. Journalism covered the 1 3/16 miles in a swift 1:55.37, a time that speaks volumes about his performance.
It's interesting to note that the Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, wasn't in the mix for the Preakness. His connections opted to prepare him for the Belmont Stakes, leaving the door open for a potential rematch later. This absence, while disappointing for those hoping for a Triple Crown bid, certainly added a layer of intrigue to the Preakness itself.
Journalism's journey to this win is a compelling one. He'd been on a winning streak before the Derby, racking up four victories, including three graded-stakes races in California. Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who's been aboard for much of that success, was back in the saddle, making his first Preakness appearance. It’s a partnership that clearly works.
We also saw other familiar faces from the Derby. Sandman, who finished sixth, and American Promise, who came in 16th, were also competing. Sandman, with odds close to Journalism's, had his own impressive run in the Arkansas Derby. American Promise, trained by the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, also had a solid season with wins in the Virginia Derby.
Then there's River Thames, who was given the third-best odds. He'd shown flashes of brilliance, losing narrowly to Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and finishing third in the Blue Grass Stakes. With Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons, he was certainly a contender.
But in the end, it was Journalism's grit, his ability to overcome adversity and surge forward, that captured the day. It’s a reminder that in racing, as in life, sometimes the most compelling stories are the ones where a horse, against the odds, finds a way to win.
