The cameras and the public's attention were on Sovereignty in the minutes after he ran down Journalism to capture the June 7 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
But Aron Wellman—president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, one of Journalism's owners—remained focused on his horse. He approached Journalism, second as the 2-1 favorite, and gave him a few pats of affection as he awaited jockey Umberto Rispoli to dismount.
Even in defeat, his pride in Journalism was apparent. His 3-year-old had just given his all in the Belmont, just as the colt had in running second to Sovereignty in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) five weeks ago before Journalism's follow-up victory despite trouble in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1). He was the lone 3-year-old to compete in all three legs, never finishing out of the exacta—a throwback Triple Crown competitor who is as resilient as he is talented.
Stalking slow fractions in the Belmont on the outside from about two lengths off the pace, Journalism came with his rally to engage pacesetting Rodriguez with a quarter-mile remaining. Powering to the lead, he held a half-length advantage in midstretch, but could not repel Sovereignty under Junior Alvarado, just like in the Kentucky Derby. He finished three lengths back at the finish in the Belmont after being a length and a half behind him in the Derby.
"Incredibly proud of Journalism, Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli," Wellman said moments later. "If I could hype analyze the race just minutes after not having seen a replay, I think he stumbled and bobbled a little bit the second or third jump out of there, which was probably relatively insignificant. And he just inherited the lead a little early again. He loves to have a target in front of him, but Umberto had to go when he went and look, they threw it down again—Sovereignty and Journalism."
The Belmont came in fast time, to boot. Godolphin's Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, stopped the clock with 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.69—almost a second faster than Dornoch ran in winning the race last year at Saratoga Race Course in 2:01.64. Prior runnings of the historic Belmont Stakes were largely at 1 1/2 miles when it was run at Belmont Park, which is under construction for renovation. It is being run at 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga due to the track's different configuration.
"Credit to Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, Team Godolphin, and what a horse, and that's racehorse time," Wellman said. "They put on a show. They threw it down, and hopefully we gave the people what they wanted."
Sovereignty is the only horse to ever beat Journalism at a route. He is 4-for-4 in his other races around two turns, a record that includes a triumph in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Bob LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore-affiliated connections of Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
The 3-year-old son of Curlin goes to stud at Coolmore's Ashford Stud at the conclusion of his racing career.
"Listen, the only thing I can tell you is I got beat by a fresh horse because I was running down the lane, and Junior was just coming by me easy and fast," Rispoli said. "So the only thing I can say is probably the freshness. ... We ran the three legs; the other one got five weeks to recover. There is no excuse today.
"Obviously, I would say, the fresh horse won, but it's a great horse. He beat me already. He beat me twice."
Rispoli said he felt no regression from Journalism, believing the colt gave him the same high-quality effort as in his two earlier Triple Crown performances.
"I didn't feel a lack of energy," Rispoli said. "Because when I turned for home, I was running, so I have the momentum. I have everything. I'm waiting. I get the two targets ahead of me at the quarter pole. I pressed the button at the right moment, and listen, today Sovereignty was much the best."
McCarthy also praised Sovereignty, noting he was primed for Saturday's performance. Hall of Fame trainer Mott and owner/breeder Godolphin opted to bypass the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course after the colt's Kentucky Derby triumph at Churchill Downs, instead bringing him to Saratoga days after the Derby to train. Mott stables a large division at Saratoga from spring to fall.
"Any time good horses get space in between their races, they're very, very dangerous," McCarthy said. "He's a very good horse. He trains up here. He's been up here for a while. You know, it's in his backyard.
"Look, let's hope everybody stays happy and healthy. We'll see him in Del Mar hopefully in November in our backyard."
That backyard race is the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1. Journalism broke his maiden over that track surface last fall for his Southern California-based connections.
An earlier meeting with Sovereignty could take place if McCarthy brings Journalism to a race such as the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga this summer, but McCarthy and Wellman were not ready to map out a full summer race plan so quickly after the Belmont.
"You know, I can't say enough good things about (Sovereignty). I can't say enough good things about my horse," McCarthy said. "It's been a fantastic experience for me and my guys."
