Track: Fast
Track Bias: None
Pace: Honest
Looking into the Wizard’s Kentucky Derby Crystal Ball
JOURNALISM (3-1 odds) ran down the odds-on Baffert trained colt Barnes inside the 1/8thpole to win the San Felipe by 1 ¾ lengths. Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Unmberto Rispoli, the son of top sire Curlin, rated comfortably along the rail in 4th place entering the backstretch. On the far turn, Rispoli eased Journalism outside with dead aim on the pacesetter turning for home. Barnes tried to keep pace when hooked, but he was unable to match strides with the impressive winner. It was 9 ½ lengths back to the 3rd place finisher.
I loved the way Journalism relaxed, and his stride was very fluid. This was his second straight win at 1 1 1/6 miles and he gave me the impression any added distance should prove no problem, which will likely come on April 5 in the Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles.
Journalism was purchased for $825,000 at the prestigious Saratoga yearling sale by several high-profile owners. His pedigree spells distance on both his sire and dam side. His father Curlin had a stellar career with earnings of $6.7 million dollars. As a 3-year-old, Curlin was third in the Kentucky Derby and then returned 2 weeks later to win the Preakness. Later that year, Curlin won the Jockey Club Gold Cup and then capped off 2007 with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, all Grade 1 stakes. As a 4-year-old he was tremendous, winning 4 more Grade 1’s, highlighted by an impressive score in the Dubai World Club. Journalism’s mom Mopotism, by Uncle Moe, won 3 races and $876,000 in earnings. As a 2-year-old, she won the Grade 1 Starlet. She was graded stakes placed 4 times as a 3-year-old and a total of 6 more graded stakes placings at 4 and 5 years of age, highlighted by a victory in the Grade 2 La Canada. There’s nothing to suggest that Journalism will not be successful over a distance of ground and with more experience and maturity.
She will get that chance to show where she fits in the Kentucky Derby pecking order in the Santa Anita Derby. The San Felipe only featured 5 runners, so we will have to see how she navigates a larger field that day. Hopefully more than 5 enter. The Kentucky Derby usually has 20 starters, which is a quantum leap, but that’s modern-day racing for you, especially in southern California. In addition to his pedigree, I love his athleticism and physical make up.
Second place finisher Barnes ran well for trainer Bob Baffert, who will no doubt be present this year for the Run for the Roses. Barnes is certainly bred to handle a distance of ground. He’s from the world class sire Into Mischief, out of a dam whose father was Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, also trained by Baffert. Considering this was only his first start around 2 turns and he’s in a master’s hand, I would not discount him as a Kentucky Derby contender. Barnes will certainly have to show me more in his next start to keep him on that list.