Santa Anita Derby 'Most Likely Scenario' For Journalism

It was a day to remember for Michael McCarthy March 1 at Santa Anita Park. He won four races on an 11-race card, including the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) with Formidable Man, San Felipe Stakes (G2) with 3-year-old Journalism and Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) with Liguria. "It was a memorable day," McCarthy said March 2. "I'm just very pleased for my guys at the barn. It takes a lot to have a day like yesterday. It was a real team effort." In addition to McCarthy's three graded stakes tallies, he also ended the day with a win in the 11th and final race, an allowance on turf, with Phosphorescence (FR). McCarthy said he celebrated the massive day by joining family and friends for a dinner out. "It was nice to unwind, have a good meal and reflect on a really good day," McCarthy said. Starring among McCarthy's quartet of winners was Journalism. Making his 3-year-old debut in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe, a key Kentucky Derby (G1) prep, the Curlin colt came from off the pace under Umberto Rispoli and won going away by 1 3/4 lengths. The winning time was 1:42.24. "We expected certainly a solid effort coming off a short layoff," McCarthy said. "I think you saw yesterday when he straightened through the lane, he started to find his gears." Journalism is owned by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 and Robert LaPenta. He previously won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) when making his stakes debut in December. Journalism now has 47.5 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, which historically is enough to get him in the starting gate for this year's Run for the Roses. McCarthy said the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5 is the "most likely scenario" for Journalism's return. Formidable Man, aided by a top ride from Rispoli, earned his second grade 1 win in the Kilroe Mile. In November, the now 4-year-old colt by City of Light won the Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar. "He's a proven grade 1-caliber horse. I think his performance yesterday was the best we've seen from him and that was a world-class ride from Umberto," McCarthy said. Formidable Man rallied up the rail in the Kilroe to win by a half-length in a time of 1:34.57. He was owned by William Warren Jr. and Suzanne Warren. As for what's next, McCarthy said "we'll kind of take it easy with him for the next 10 days to two weeks" before deciding. He mentioned potentially the American Stakes (G3T) at a mile on turf April 20 at Santa Anita as a potential lead-in to the Shoemaker Mile (G1T) on May 26. Liguria won the one-mile Buena Vista on turf by a head under Flavien Prat. It was her second start following a 15 1/2-month layoff and second start for McCarthy after being transferred from trainer Chad Brown. In her comeback Feb. 1 in the Megahertz (G3), Liguria was third beaten three lengths. "You always worry coming off an extended layoff like she did that they may bounce second time back off quick rest. But she has been so professional with everything she does. She does everything with purpose," McCarthy said. Liguria is a 5-year-old mare by War Front. Owned by Alpha Delta Stables, she improved to 4-1-1 from 10 starts with $374,200 in earnings. McCarthy mentioned the Gamely Stakes (G1T) going 1 1/8 miles on turf on May 26 at Santa Anita as a potential target.