The beaten favorite when second in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism will try to avoid a rare and unfortunate double: being the beaten chalk in both the Derby and Preakness.

2. JOURNALISM (8-5)

Post Position: 2
Color/Sex: Bay colt
Age: 3
Sire–Dam–Damsire: Curlin – Mopotism – Uncle Mo
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners et al.
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Record: 6 starts: 4 wins, 1 place, 1 show
Earnings: $1,638,880
Typical Running Style: Mid-pack
Last Raced: May 3, 2025 – Kentucky Derby – Second by 1½ lengths
Note: Runner-up as favorite in Kentucky Derby, snapping 4-race win streak
Quote: “He’s had a couple of good mornings since I’ve been [at Churchil. Downs]. Very pleased what I’ve seen so far. He’s a horse that’s doing well. He’s thriving in his environment.”— Michael McCarthy

Journalism (8-5) comes into the Preakness as the likely favorite after finishing a strong second in the Kentucky Derby, where he closed from mid-pack and had a head in front but couldn’t hold off the winner. The Curlin colt had won four straight races heading into Churchill Downs and was bet like a standout on Derby Day. Trained by Michael McCarthy and piloted again by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism brings class, consistency, and a versatile running style to Baltimore, aiming to get back to his winning ways.

BREEDING

By Curlin, Journalism is out of the Uncle Mo mare Mopotism.

Mopotism won nearly $900,000 on the track, her top win having come in the Grade 2 La Canada at Santa Anita. She also placed in four Grade 1 events, with most of her best work in the 1- to 1 1/16-mile range. Journalism is her first foal.

Hall of Famer Curlin was a two-time Horse of the Year on the track, earning over $10.5 million. Trained by Steve Asmussen, he had his coming out party when he ran down Street Sense narrowly to win the 2007 Preakness. Six more Grade 1 wins followed. Curlin’s offspring win at a 17% clip in dirt routes, 12% at so-called marathon distances (1 ¼ miles and beyond). Top offspring include 2016 Preakness winner Exaggerator, who loved the slop en route to defeating Nyquist, and 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso.