Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Journalism had his final work April 19 at Santa Anita Park before shipping to Churchill Downs, where he is expected to be the favorite in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1).
In his first work back since winning the April 5 Santa Anita Derby, Journalism, with jockey Umberto Rispoli aboard, worked four furlongs in company with stablemate Feel the Magic. The Santa Anita clocker credited Journalism with a :47 half-mile, the fourth-fastest of 97 horses to work the distance Saturday morning.
"We're just keeping him in his routine," trainer Michael McCarthy said of Journalism. "He's really been training well, and this was kind of maintenance. He looked relaxed out there. We just let him stretch his legs a little bit."
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Owned in partnership by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Bridlewood Farm, Elayne Stables 5, Robert V. LaPenta, Mrs. John Magnier-Lessee, Derrick Smith-Lessee, and Michael Tabor-Lessee, Journalism is slated to ship to Churchill Downs April 22, where he will have one more work prior to the Kentucky Derby.
"I was very happy," Rispoli said after Saturday's drill. "The horse seems to have come out well from the Santa Anita Derby. He's in good shape and gave me a good feeling. One more (work) to go."
Journalism, a 3-year-old son of Curlin and a $825,000 yearling purchase, has won his last four starts, including three graded stakes, since finishing third in his debut.
