Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Journalism breezed a half-mile in :48 2/5 Aug. 9 at Del Mar for a future start that has not yet been announced. The move marked his first workout since he traveled to Monmouth Park for the July 19 Haskell.
"A very good breeze for his first work back," trainer Michael McCarthy said. "That's just what you're looking for."
The 3-year-old son of Curlin , a five-time graded stakes winner, is 6-2-1 in nine starts with earnings of almost $3.8 million. He races for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Bob LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
Neither McCarthy nor Aron Wellman, president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, indicated to Del Mar publicity Saturday morning what race is next for Journalism.
Two options this month are the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course in two weeks or the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) against older horses at Del Mar August 30. Both races are 1 1/4 miles.
Journalism broke his maiden over the Del Mar main track last fall for the primarily Southern California-based McCarthy.
Sovereignty, who defeated Journalism in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs and Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, is the expected Travers favorite.
Nysos and White Abarrio—who Daily Racing Form reported would travel west for the Pacific Classic—are the current headliners of the latter race.
