Journalism Gives Pimlico an Epic Farewell
We are here to celebrate the remarkable performance of Journalism in the 150th Preakness and to say goodbye to Pimlico Race Course by tying in its history over the past 75 years through anniversaries with this year’s Preakness field. Soon, Belmont Park and Pimlico as we knew it will be gone, but at least Pimlico has given us one final memory that will remain etched in our mind for a long time. ~ Steve Haskin
Journalism Gives Pimlico an Epic Farewell
By Steve Haskin
Leave it to the Preakness and grand ‘ol Pimlico to go out with a bang. Even in the face of the wrecking ball they still know how to put on a show. And thanks to the bravura performance by their leading man and star attraction Journalism, the curtain closed with one of the most courageous performances and heart-pounding final scenes ever witnessed at historic Old Hilltop.
J.R.R. Tolkien said, “It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.” That was on display in the 150th Preakness when Journalism demonstrated to the world the spirit of the Thoroughbred. Even after his body took a beating from both sides when he attempted to squeeze through one of those “oh no don’t do it!” spaces, he was left with the seemingly impossible task of recovering from near disaster and then having to run down a horse who appeared to be way too far in front to catch.
But he used every ounce of strength that remained to quickly bounce back from a series of bumper car collisions that nearly knocked three horses, including himself, off their feet and then let that competitive spirit take him the rest of the way. With the other two horses shaken and in retreat he set his sights on the leader, who looked to be on his way to certain victory. All he had to do now was catch Gosger, an improving Grade 2 winner with a five-length lead and still going strong, and out-close Sandman, the strongest deep closer in the field who was already rolling right alongside him, and actually stuck his head in front. Sandman was moving so well, his jockey John Velazquez thought, “Man, I think I got it.” But Journalism was on a mission. He accelerated so quickly he left Sandman three lengths behind in the blink of an eye and zeroed in on the lone horse still several lengths away and looking uncatchable.
But the closer he got to Gosger, the longer his stride seemed to get. Time and distance, however, were running out. Then 20 yards from the wire he pushed down on the accelerator one more time and gave a final burst, reaching out for the wire as if he knew exactly where it was. His timing was impeccable and everyone watching and urging him on knew victory was his. He had done it; he had accomplished what had seemed impossible. The official margin was a half-length, but it might as well have been a mile. In all my years of watching races I have never seen a burst of energy like that at the end of a race, especially after that much physical contact, which took its toll on the other horses involved.
It was as if Pimlico’s parting gift was to provide one final montage of the Preakness’s most gut-wrenching performances all manifested in the form of one special horse. It was Afleet Alex escaping catastrophe with amazing courage and athleticism by picking himself up off the ground and calmly going about the business of winning the race, It was Curlin, the sire of Journalism, being passed by Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense at the top of the stretch and appearing beaten, only to find another gear and come on again to stick his head in front on the wire, It was Silver Charm gritting his teeth as he did in the Kentucky Derby and out-gaming his two big rivals Captain Bodgit and Free House. It was the filly Swiss Skydiver refusing to let Kentucky Derby winner Authentic get by her the length of the stretch.
Yes, it was all that rolled into one horse, one performance, one farewell to a place that has always found a way to thrill its audience every year on the third Saturday in May.
And now it is hoped Journalism moves on to Saratoga and the Belmont Stakes with a chance to turn the tables on his Kentucky Derby conqueror and former classmate at Bridlewood Farm Sovereignty to decide which of farm trainer Meda Murphy’s graduated “A” students in the long run will claim the highest honors.
There are also human stories that go with most classic victories, and there is one that shows that people in racing can bond in strange ways and not even know it.
I take you back to the 2011 Preakness Stakes. Two very interested parties watching the race unfold from their respective boxes are not happy with what they are seeing, as their horses are running side by side in last far back in the 14-horse field, One of them is Aron Wellman, vice-president of Team Valor, owner of Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, the 2-1 favorite. The other is Robert LaPenta, owner of Florida Derby winner Dialed In, the 4-1 second choice. Both horses continued to drop farther and farther off the pace, some 20 lengths back, with too much ground to make up. Animal Kingdom would rally to finish second, falling a length short, while Dialed In, after a brutal trip, also rallied to finish fourth.
Now, 14 years later, with Wellman forming the successful Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and LaPenta rebuilding his stable through partnerships, both men have teamed up to share in the glory of a Preakness victory, of which they both were deprived years earlier.
I can also recall a morning at Churchill Downs on Derby Day 15 years ago when Mike McCarthy, then an assistant trainer to Todd Pletcher, was at the barn at 4:30 getting ready for what he hoped would be the stable’s biggest day. Pletcher had never won the Derby, and had four horses entered, with their best shot being Super Saver.
Trainer Ian Wilkes, who was with Carl Nafzger for the Derby victories of Unbridled and Street Sense, stopped by and offered McCarthy some words of advice.
“I can’t stress enough to just enjoy every minute of it,” Wilkes said. “I was here for Unbridled and I never appreciated the magnitude of the Derby. But with Street Sense I was able to take it all in and enjoy it, because I realized how hard it is to get here. Even though you may think you’ll be back here every year, it takes a special horse.”
McCarthy thought he had that special horse when Super Saver captured the roses that evening, defeating Robert LaPenta’s Ice Box, who finished an unlucky second.
Unfortunately, Super Saver was only special in the Derby and finished eighth in the Preakness, and never won another race. But Wilkes was right. It takes a special horse. And McCarthy, now a successful trainer, finally found that special horse 15 years later, this time as an ally of his one-time rival LaPenta and an opponent of his old boss Pletcher, who saddled River Thames in the Preakness for WinStar Farm, the owner of Super Saver. Racing has always been a world intertwined with unpredictable relationships and encounters. Just ask Aron Wellman, Robert LaPenta, and Mike McCarthy, who somehow were able to join forces and write one of the great chapters in Preakness history.
And history is really a major part of this story, with this being the last Preakness run at this facility. So we are going to go back in time and recall the Preakness anniversaries connected to this year’s field, which are a microcosm of the race’s rich history over the past 75 years.
1950 (75 Years) – A new racing and breeding operation emerged on the scene when the Virginia-based Meadow Stud, owned by Christopher T. Chenery, made its first major impact on the sport by winning the Preakness with their homebred colt Hill Prince. Seventy five years later, The Meadow’s legendary Secretariat not only can be found in the pedigree of all nine Preakness starters, he appears an amazing total of 21 times. One can say the face of Thoroughbred racing in America, especially the Triple Crown, was changed in the Preakness three-quarters of a century ago with the rise of this renowned breeding and racing operation.
1975 (50 Years) – This is a bit of an odd one, but perhaps the biggest presence at this year’s Preakness, as well as the Kentucky Derby, has been the young engaging social media star Griffin Johnson, who owns a small percentage of Sandman and has 10 million followers on Tik Tok alone. As a result, Sandman was bet heavily in both races. One name that has been closely associated with Johnson is TV reality personality Bethenny Frankel, who has become his close friend and video and podcast partner. I wonder if he is aware that Bethenny’s father, the late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, saddled his first Preakness starter, Native Guest, 50 years ago to the day in 1975. Native Guest finished seventh and Frankel never did win the Preakness.
1980 (45 Years) – Not many people had ever heard of former Quarter-Horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who had saddled a few good horses in California, but was virtually unknown nationally. That was until 1980 when John Nerud, who built and ran the Tartan Stable empire, saw something he liked in this newcomer and gave him several horses to train, one of whom was an Arts and Letters colt named Codex, who wound up winning the 1980 Preakness with a dominating performance, defeating Derby winner Genuine Risk. But then came the controversy after a foul claim by Genuine Risk’s jockey Jacinto Vasquez against Angel Cordero on Codex for carrying the filly out to the middle of the track was overruled. What no one could imagine at the time was that this would be the first of seven Preakness victories for the eventual racing legend, who returned this year to Pimlico 45 years after Codex’s victory at age 89 with his Virginia Derby winner American Promise.
1985 (40 Years) – As everyone knows, Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty passed the Preakness for no reason other than they simply did not want to run back in two weeks and preferred waiting for the Belmont. This decision created a good deal of controversy and once again brought up the subject of changing the format of the Triple Crown. The first time we ever had such a controversy and a Triple Crown change discussion was 40 years ago in 1985, when newcomer to racing Dennis Diaz sent shockwaves throughout the sport by deciding to pass the Preakness with his runaway Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck in favor of trying to win the unheard of $2 million bonus offered by Garden State Park owner Robert Brennan to the owner of any horse who can win the Cherry Hill Mile, Garden State Stakes, Kentucky Derby, and the rich Jersey Derby, run nine days after the Preakness. Spend A Buck had romped in the first three and just barely won the Jersey Derby, taking home $2.6 million in prize money. Diaz’s decision prompted the formation of the now defunct “Chrysler Triple Crown Challenge,” offering its own layer of bonuses to any horse who performed well in all three Triple Crown races, and marketing the series as a single entity.
1995 (30 Years) – Here we are at the Preakness once again with the ageless Wayne Lukas, who will turn 90 on September 2. Lukas, who has actually had a rebirth in recent years, came to Pimlico with the previously mentioned American Promise, trying to become one of the few trainers to win back-to-back Preaknesses, having captured last year’s running with Seize the Grey. But it was 30 years ago in 1995 that Lukas became the first trainer in memory to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in the same year with different horses, taking the Derby with Thunder Gulch and the Preakness with Timber Country. It was a year earlier in 1994 that Lukas won the Preakness with Tabasco Cat, which began arguably the most remarkable streak ever by a trainer. Lukas would go on to win six consecutive Triple Crown races. It began in the Preakness and ended in the Preakness two years later. Amazingly after ending the streak in the 1986 Preakness he then won the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.
2000 (25 Years) – It was the year Fusaichi Pegasus, an Adonis of a racehorse, took racing by storm, looking like the sport’s next superstar following powerful victories in the Wood Memorial and Kentucky Derby. As the Preakness approached, talk of the sport’s next Triple Crown winner ran rampant. One of those at Pimlico hoping to upset the favorite was a young up-and-coming trainer named Todd Pletcher, who had been an assistant to Wayne Lukas for a number of years.
Pletcher had just finished third in the Kentucky Derby with Impeachment, owned by one of his earliest clients, Dogwood Stable. With the Pimlico track drying out and listed as good, Fusaichi Pegasus never got a good hold of it and had to settle for second behind Red Bullet, who had skipped the Derby. But Impeachment put in a tremendous late rally from 17 lengths back to again finish third.
It is now 25 years later, and although Pletcher has won multiple Kentucky Derbys and Belmonts, as well as Breeders’ Cups, he has never been able to better Impeachment’s third-place finish in the Preakness, failing again this year with River Thames. In fact, it has reached a point where Pletcher never runs a Derby starter back in the second leg of the Triple Crown, especially after both his Kentucky Derby winners, Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017, finished eighth in the Preakness and never won another race. This year, Pletcher had a brilliant and consistently fast colt in River Thames, andthe plan was to skip the Kentucky Derby and point for Pimlico with a perfect Preakness-type horse in the hope of finally bettering the third-place finish of Impeachment 25 years earlier. But he could do no better than sixth.
In 2000 another future Hall of Fame trainer to saddle his first Preakness starter was Steve Asmussen, who sent out Snuck In to a fifth-place finish at odds of 19-1. He then won the Preakness twice in three years with future Hall of Famers Curlin and Rachel Alexandra in 2007 and 2009, respectively, both coming back in two weeks. This year, Asmussen was represented by his exciting new star Clever Again, owned by longtime client Ron Winchell in partnership with Coolmore. Unfortunately, the colt was eased to the back of the back of the pack after getting slammed hard in the aforementioned three-horse melee, strolling across the finish line, beaten 31 lengths.
2005 (20 Years) – A look at the pedigree of the Bob Baffert-trained Goal Oriented, undefeated in both his career starts, and one name pops right up at you and conjures up unforgettable images of a Preakness 20 years ago that still remain frozen in time. That name is Afleet Alex, the colt’s broodmare sire. How appropriate on this anniversary and farewell to Pimlico to see Alex’s name prominent in one of the Preakness contenders. His miraculous recovery, picking himself up off the ground after stumbling so badly his nose hit the ground, is still so fresh in the minds of those who witnessed it, one finds it hard to believe it’s been 20 years.
We have to throw in a Happy 20th Birthday to Macho Again from West Point Racing and Sandman for putting West Point on the Triple Crown map when three year’s later he finished second to Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown in the 2008 Preakness at odds of just under 40-1. Now, 17 years after Macho Again’s huge performance in the Preakness, West Point had its best shot to take home the black-eyed susans. Sandman ran big, but could only finish third, so now West Point will be looking for that elusive victory to complete the stable’s own Preakness trifecta, having already finished second and third.
2010 (15 Years) – Bob Baffert came into this year’s Preakness with a record eight victories, one more than his Quarter-Horse hero Wayne Lukas, and was looking to make it nine with the lightly raced unbeaten colt Goal Oriented. Baffert has spent a career collecting Triple Crown race trophies. But most people aren’t aware that if it wasn’t for Lookin At Lucky’s victory in the Preakness 15 years ago in 2010, Baffert would have gone 13 years without a classic win. After winning the Preakness with Derby winner War Emblem, his eighth classic victory in only six years, Baffert came up empty for eight years before Lookin At Lucky broke the losing streak in the Preakness.
To give this story a personal touch, when Baffert left to return to California the next morning he didn’t know what to do with the blanket of black-eyed susans, so he gave it to me to give to my wife for Mother’s Day. It seems surreal that on Saturday it was draped over the back of Lookin At Lucky in the winner’s circle and on Sunday it was draped over the back of my wife in our living room. Baffert would not win another classic for five years, but that one would make history.
2015 (10 years) – How can a Preakness anniversary special be complete without concluding with this year’s race having a son of American Pharoah, the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Triple Crown? In addition, Clever Again is the first horse ever whose sire and broodmare sire combined to win five classics and in three different countries, with Galileo adding the English and Irish Derbys. American Pharoah has not enjoyed the success at stud and in the sales ring as his fellow Triple Crown winner Justify, and having his son give him his first U.S. Triple Crown victory on the 10th anniversary of his sensational seven-length romp would have been truly special.
American Pharoah’s Preakness victory was not only a historic event it was preceded by a good deal of drama. And that is how we will go out.
Shortly before the horses were to be saddled, sheets of heavy rain pelted the track. Bob Baffert, his wife Jill, and son Bode took their usual place in front of a TV screen near the entrance to the paddock. The wind began to pick up, with an occasional gust blowing the rain into the paddock. Soon it was a deluge outside.
Jill began getting nervous, especially with the thunder and lightning and with American Pharoah breaking from the inside post and the TV revealing deep standing water flowing right along the rail. “It’s a river on the rail; that’s not right,” she said. “If he can overcome this and still win, he really is something special.”
Conditions got so bad and so dangerous the fans in the infield had to be evacuated. The scene that just a few minutes earlier was filled with electricity and anticipation had now turned to mayhem. People caught outside resorted to holding folding chairs over their head.
As the field loaded in the gate, Jill, visibly upset, cradled her hands against her face, as if dreading the possibilities that could ensue.
But then came the procession and the celebration as Pharoah drew off, one step closer to history. “What a horse,” an elated and noticeably choked up Baffert said as soon as American Pharoah crossed the finish line.
Soon that paddock and everything around it will be gone. But thanks to Journalism we at least have one more enduring memory of a racetrack that joins Columbo’s broken down car and disheveled raincoat and Archie Bunker’s worn out chair. They were all ready for the junk pile, but they were iconic and special in their own way. And, boy, did they have character.
So, farewell to Pimlico, as we knew it, and thank you in your final act for providing the stage for a performance we surely will never forget.
Photo courtesy of Maryland Jockey Club
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Steve that Q-Tip guy is a Kool Kat given you the Susan’s for your bride. He signed my Haskell program and we watched Point Given win the race. We talked a bit I got good vibes from him. Good times. Should have been #12, bad ride in KD. Ugh… stay healthy and safe. You sure write the best stories looking forward to the next read!!
I will just watch the Belmont no wager this should be epic safe trip to all.
Don Combs, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Dust Commander has passed away.
Heartfelt condolences to his family.
Oh geez…such a sad day
My condolences to his loved ones o
Lady Victoria has won the Irish 1000 G.
And looked smart doing it! Next race may be the Coronation Cup. Apparently her people like her at shorter distances.
Ms B that is 5 starts and 5 wins for her.
She also has Gone West in her pedigree.
She lost last time in the English 1000 Guineas
Betsy, typo error on my part, Lake Victoria not Lady Victoria.
The error was on her pedigree page.
Thank you for correction.
You’re welcome ! I didn’t mean to sound abrupt …sorry!
What a good filly she is!
You didn’t, no worries.
Ryan Moore had quite a meet at Curragh:
Lake Victoria, Los Angeles, Porta Fortuna and Albert Einstein.
Christophe left a parting message on IG – I’m sobbing
He was a great guy, always a force at Belmont and Saratoga, and Gulfstream. He had a runner yesterday, who was favored but finished second last, perhaps he knew. I was a big Tonalist fan during his run and he had Disco Partner, who holds the world record in the 6 f. turf sprint. I took his name for my monicker.
Someone posted on another board that their their 2 runners today with CC were scratched, and that they were told news would break…she was stunned by this
Oh, I love it – so your name is kind of a tribute to Christophe …
As it turns out, it’s a tribute, I picked it over 7 years ago, I liked the horse, he’s a NY bred and a sire now.
Betsy, some one posted his IG message on FB.
Hard to read but comforting at the same time.
He was at peace.
Indeed- though I’m not at peace. Cancer sucks so bad….and overall, you just never know.
My soon to be 90 year old dad’s lifelong friend fell out of bed, broke his neck, and is intubated. It’s been days – I don’t think he’s coming out of the coma, and if he does, he’s likely paralyzed
I know he’s 90, but still – no one is guaranteed anything. This is why I told my family I needed to take this “trip” – living in the UK for 3 months. If not now, when? And tomorrow may never come…
Betsy, I am very sorry about your Dad’s friend. Has to be hard for your Dad.
Lynda, thank you! I know it must be… what’s scary is it’s so random.
It was reported by FanDuel that Christophe Clement has lost his battle with cancer and has passed away at the age of 59. The gifted horseman with a genial disposition will be sorely missed by the racing community. RIP mon ami.
I read that earlier today.
Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Certainly will be missed.
Oh my god, I didn’t even know he was sick …damn, he was so young. …ugh, how awful
So sorry to hear this news. He was a wonderful trainer and will truly be missed.
Awful news. May he rest in peace.
$89 winner yesterday, in the Snow Chief…a little bit about Snow Chief…..the near black colt who ran with his head down—won the Hollywood Futurity ….Joe Hursch was there, to hand out the trophy and was impressed….Snow Chief began his three year old season in a Santa Anita sprint….banned up to Golden Gate and won the El Camino at 9 furlongs….put on a plane for the Florida Derby an 9 furlongs….back to Santa Anita for the SA Derby—all of those races easy wins—goes off the 2-1 Kentucky Derby favorite—rins 10th—comes right back in The Preakness—easy win—then wins the Gr1 Jersey Derby NINE DAYS later—comes back home for this new thing for Cal-breds, and ru is into this grey filly called Melair, who just blows the other 12 horses away—my point being—they ran that black colt!
Gary Stute this AM, on the Willman Show—“he came out of the Silver Screen with a bone chip in a knee–but we would never have beaten Melair”….
Does that anyone else feel as if Sandman is a bit overrated. Not due to the influencer and all of that hype…but the fact that Journalism almost stopped , was then behind Sandman who had a full head of steam, and then Journalism passed him so thoroughly. I understand that Gosger was passed too but he was on a decent pace and Sandman is the closer….
The Metropolitan Mile—a stand-alone race that has become an underrated race on Belmont Day—will have White Abarrio and several four year olds—this is the best crop of four year olds I can remember! Fierceness, Raging Torrent, Nysos, Book Em Dano—and my pick Mindframe—will be in this field—Mindframe may not be as good as Fierceness and White Abarrio, or Nysos— I like his consistancy!
(Undercard race..)..
Matthew, Mindframe could be headed to the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 28 instead of the Met Mile. Mindframe has already beaten Nysos.
Well yes he has….Nysos had been off 13 months and he missed the break—I think he ran pretty well…if they all make The Met Mile—I think Mindframe could go off good price—but they may not want to run him vs his stalemate Fierceness….I like Mindframe quite a lot..
It would be a dream race if they all entered, who cares about the Belmont. Ha ha
Mindframe would have won by more, was brought up late – he’s better than Nysos and has long range capability.
David, Heart looked like he wanted the rider to let him run….Jamie said he might not breeze before the Belmont …hmmm
Betsy, it’s only 3 weeks between races so I wouldn’t be too concerned. The major concern is getting out fast from the gate. I wish the Belmont Stakes was at 12f.
Oh for sure, although I’m more concerned that he was 8 lengths back (ahead of Sandman) despite the break, and dropped back to over 15 lengths back maybe a couple of furlongs into the Preakness. They can talk about the break all they want, but assuming Saffie didn’t deliberately take Heart back, then. It’s likely that the horse just prefers to be a deep closer.
The Belmont should always be 12F- I can’t wait until it gets back to it’s true home- but it has never favored deep closers, so it almost doesn’t matter
I’m with you Betsy! To me it’s not the test of Champions unless it’s at a mile and a half!
Yep! I also miss Belmont Park – my favorite track !
I’m almost ready to include him as a possible winner of the Belmont, he might have a chance if they go fast up front, that would be a satisfying upset.
Field of Gold was never really covered up, like you want in a turf race…it didn’t matter, as this grey guy is a suprlerior racehorse! You don’t often see a turf horse run uncovered to easy victory like that—there’s more to come! Perhaps we’ll be lucky to see him, at Del Mar—they have a closer’s course!…
Matthew, at a mile they aren’t really concerned at being covered up as wanting to be clear for the turn of foot to accelerate. The connections of Field of Gold were extremely happy that their colt had the post position to stay clear.
These milers have a wealth of stamina to complement their speed. A majority of the mile races are straight mile races.
Sovereignty worked with Arthur’s Ride at Saratoga this morning. Just caught a clip of it on X, but both looked great. The Belmont should be a real horse race.
They worked so late (around 9:30 or 10) I could have driven up there to see it.
Arthur’s was pushed to keep up–and he couldn’t…perhaps he is rounding into shape? Sovereignty looked superior….
Did you see Sovreignty’s fractions? I am a huge Journalism fan but Sovreignty looks unstoppable.
Sovereignty looks like a horse that means business in preparation for Belmont Day.
Can Sovereignty be the horse to break the streak of Derby winners that never win another race? I think he can unless Mystik Dan beats him to it. What’s “Dan” up to these days?
On Derby Day, he was second in the Lake Ouachita Stakes at Oaklawn, losing to Saudi Crown by a nose.
I just saw that. Thanks.
Mystik Dan is entered in a Stakes race at Churchill Downs next Saturday. Antiquarian, Post Time, Banishing, and Hall of Fame are just some of the nine opponents that will oppose Mystik Dan. “Dan” can beat Sovereignty to it a week before Belmont Day at Saratoga.
A nice 11-race card at Churchill next Saturday. Most of the top jocks will be there and a few big name horses on the card. Including the ultra-quick Skelly. Is Skelly as good away from Oaklawn?
It’s going to be a small field—Rodriguez on the lead and maybe Baeza close—maybe six but possibly less? I’m not sure Ridriguez is going to be 100%for this—Sovereignty and Baeza will be sitting on GO—we won’t know about Journalism for another week—Mike wants to run but only if he’s ready—I think that race might have taken something out of him BUT—you don’t often see a final 50 yards like he showed—that was all him—if they make the race it will be thebiggest day in Horse Racing in a long time—an east/west west rivalry..
If you thought the English 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas was exciting, then the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday and Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday look even better. The former is run at 3:40 pm on Saturday and the later run at 3:40 pm on Sunday.
The Irish Guineas are a slightly tougher test for stamina over a mile than at Newmarket due to the incline at Newmarket which has that dip in the track. The fields are more or less even in quality with the addition of some newcomers.
The non appearance of the upset winners of the English versions is a loss but the beaten favourites of both English Guineas races, Field of Gold & Lake Victoria respectively, are in to try an redeem their reputations but will they? Both are favourites again according to the odds makers. I’m not convinced though.
In the 2,000 Guineas, Jesse Harrington’s trained Hotazhell by Too Darn Hot gets the nod with the shy Shane Foley aboard to rouse the locals. .
In the 1,000 Guineas the hope/expectation is for Flight by Siyouni to go one better this time round. This exciting filly is trained by the likeable Ollie Sangster and will be confidently ridden by the mercurial Oisin Murphy.
Attention, Ms Blacktype, remember Storm Boy from last year in Australia? Well, Storm Boy, now trained by Aidan O’Brian, is to make his European debut in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh at 3:05 pm on Saturday. Storm Boy is the hot favourite at 2/1. Such is the respect in Europe for the Australian sprinters.
On Sunday at the Curragh, besides the 1,000 Guineas, we are in for a treat in the Group One, 1m21/2f Tattersalls Gold Cup, when Los Angeles and White Birch face off again. This time, White Birch is expected to get the better of Los Angeles, or will he?
There is a bit of rain about on Saturday and Sunday but just enough to take the sting out of the course. Enjoy the races, it’ll be fabulous.
Betsy, the races will be telecasted live on ITV. Hope you are able to catch the races.
David, I’m in transit, so I won’t be able to watch the race today – but tomorrow, yes!
Betsy, the races are better tomorrow anyway. Ha ha The 2,000 Guineas was a great race though.
I’m not sure why I like Kingman offspring as I don’t even remember him, lol, but I do – so I was happy FoG won. He was so impressive!
Who do you like today? In the 1000?
Flight, the Siyouni filly who was second in the English 1,000 Guineas.
Like like the race isn’t on tv here – no surprise as Ireland isn’t the UK
🙁
I would have seen the 2000 Guineas if I’d remembered to set the recorder. Still a chance for the fillies, though. Can’t wait to find out how today’s races turned out.
Ms Blacktype, no doubt you’ll have seen the 2,000 Guineas by now but just a note from the race Field of Gold has had one race this year in advance of Hotazhell who was making his racing debut for the year.
St Jame’s Palace Stakes on June 17 on the the first day of Royal Ascot could be the rematch. Mark it on your calendar. In red!! Ha ha
Davids, Juddmonte has to be thrilled to finish 1, 2 in the 2,000 G.
Guess what famous American race horse and broodmare is in Kingman’s pedigree?
Lynda, it’s fascinating going through European pedigrees of horses winning major races prior to 1970 and then after 1970 and following the influence of US bloodlines in particular Northern Dancer, Mill Reef, and Mr Prospector.
Davids, true!
However I was referring to the continued influence of Secretariat as a dam sire and his dam, Somethingroyal.
Kingman’s dam Zenda was by Zamindar by Gone West (Mr Prosoector out of Secretame).
His sire, Invincible Spirit, was by Green Spirit whose dam Foreign Courier was by Sir Ivor who was by Sir Gaylord (out of Somethingroyal).
Kingman raced in Great Britain, Ireland and France.
At age 3 he won the Irish 2000 G and 2nd in the GB 2000 G.
His record was 8 starts, 7 wins and 1 second and w a s 2016 Cartier European HOY.
To your point Northern Dancer appears 3 times in Kingman’s pedigree. Never Bend, an American bred appears twice.
I find Kingman to be a very handsome stallion, balanced and good bone.
Just a theory I have that the horsemen from the Middle East place a higher value on the mare than their American counterparts.
That could be the result of the high value of the mare in the Arabian.
Going way back in time when there were races in the desert the winner was awarded the pick of stallions from their opponents. Invariably the winner would select a mare rather than a stallion. The mares were held in great regard, respected and valued over the stallion.
Baeza put in a solid 6fur work today…John Shirreffs is giddy about this horse….he’s the real deal..
The race was an embarrassment to the racing world and the self righteous, unapologetic jockey should be banned from racing. And what did he mean by “I had no horse?” when he was ready to go outside? Not a great recommendation for the next race.
It was like watching the famous Birdsville Races every year in outback Queensland – all dust and infamy.
On “another network”, an article about Rispoli has him saying Journalism wasn’t on the bit when he wanted to go outside, and he had no horse. He didn’t explain that comment. It suggests he may be hard to get going, although once he does it’s full steam ahead. Journalism has yet to run a fast race and all the Beyer figure users have gone radio silent, after pushing his higher figures like vacuum cleaner salesmen.
Yes, Discopartner, they are a bit like Lemmings jumping off cliffs. I remember prior to the Preakness Stakes Sandman was their bête noir, the worst horse in the world but after the race the silence was deafening.
Jose O’s trainer spoke about it.
Maybe Jose did not want to say something openly.
However, you will not see Umberto ride a Steve A horse
Using AI, a comment by one of the Stewards came up like this:
“”
OOPS, copy paste did not work above’
“The incident was described as a “mess” by one of the Stewards”
Its now on BH, that “It was just a mess” Steward Adam Campola said of the Preakness Stakes.
Great news! FOX will be broadcasting the Belmont.
Wellfinally someone has said something, terrible ride, he put his horse in a terrible position, then ranting and raving about how great victory was, i bet McCarthy and owners hv talk with jock at some poin n time, i really though they where going to go down, thank god that didn’t happen, Jock in derby can’t count to 6, whacked him 8 times crying because he got fined, horse racing shoots itself in the foot everytime, Mott who I love decides to not run, oh horse will tell us, had a friend said oh Mr Ed is back, he said horse was great next morning, got of van like a tiger, trained him back in a week couldn’t run him? Two week rest finished 1-3-4, no report on Bafferts horses condition, when you win derby i always sort of thought tou go in Preakness, The bigest story is Plether with his 100 or so three year ols none oh well showed there was Winstat decision.No Repole? Asmussin gave a great interview ans voiced what a lot of people hv said he should of came down
Henry, if you don’t check yourself, we are going to have to give you a lobotomy. None of what you see is really happening. These horses are winning their races fair and square. Our jockey colony is a hard-working group of young lads just trying to earn a living. Our racing stewards are men and women of the utmost integrity. How dare you question what is in place. Don’t you realize that we have another mile and a quarter race at Saratoga disguised as the Belmont? Exciting.
Fair n square i believe you need the labotomy guy, i know all about jockeys and race track, spent enought time in my life in it, also know when yr a rider you never put yrself or yr horse in a bad position, especially when you are tons the best, these aren’t 5000 dollar claimers guy, i guess i’m not the only one questioning, how about mr assmusenn oh yes he is a novice in this business
Henry, I’m on your side. I’m in your corner. Thank you for speaking out. A few fans are. No jockeys are. No stewards are, except the one that is retired. One trainer has spoken out and he is seen as a whiner, a crybaby because he was part of the aggrieved. Media? Hah! They don’t want to lose their journalistic positions. Nothing from Jerry Bailey, he knows on what side his toast is buttered. Gary Stevens spoke out the other day, but it was about one of his clients not getting the proper medical help fast enough. Just keep moving. Nothing to see here.
one of major problems with horse racing is that everybody is involved with everybody, you are 100% correct what jockey in his right mind is going to claim a foul on like a PLetcher horse or any big time trainer, they want the chance to get up on one of there horses Ortiz n Johnny can’t ride them all, same with Brown, Mott partnerships own horses in all diff barns, Racing has become sport for the very wealthy,one hand feeds the other, but they are shooting themselves in the foot, not backing Preakness is a very big mistake
One littlle funny story i was rubbing horses at sulfolk downs n waiting after race for horse to come Wajda rode this horse, Merrcier was crying because Wajda wouldn’t move over m let him through, Wajda smirked and said Pass on the right buddy
and you mean the Irad never bullies his way around and Kent D never got fined for standing up a length before the wire when there was no horse behind him in the same zip code.
I agree about the ride—the outside was open and his horse was best—go around—-he caused everything—and he may have cone down on a THURSDAY—but dropping him (to last) would have been a bad move, for the sport—no way were they doing THAT—it’s why they didn’t look at Goal Oriented—they would have to admit his left turn was caused by Journalism bumping his left flank, and the stewards. wisely left it alone….it was an I credible recovery—Rispoli immediately thanked Jerry Bailey, for “telling” him to stay inside—he knew he was wrong….
Agree about the ride and I believe that Steve Asmussen is exactly correct. What are stewards for, other than to determine fault and interference. There was no victory for Journalism other than making a nonexistent opening. Journalism clearly fouled two horses and he should have been marked as last. In the era of do not believe your eyes, I guess this gets a pass as well.
Bob was kind, afterward—that’s the correct attitude, it’s one of our jewells..Steve might be right BUT—shaddup already! His horse was eased last, after getting banged into the rail….he wouldve finished last or close to last, anyway—Gosger easily put him away—…it was a mess—Rispoli gets an “F”—-and I like Rispoli….
Banged into the rail by Journalism, and hurt – how ‘bout you take your advice for Steve A?
So if a car bangs into your car, apparently intentionally, and your car is pushed into a third car, the damage is your fault?
Watch the video, Journalism bumped Goal Oriented, not vice versa, and caused the whole thing. There was no lane, no place to go, and Rispoli just pushed to his right into GO’s lane.
All credit to Journalism. I thought Gosger was home free. Never saw how J was closing in from spot in the infield. Tough beat. I needed it the other way around. No inquiry? Thank you for the history lesson and story.
Per Brendan Walsh, Gosger will not run in the Belmont, but will point to the Haskel.
So many connections; kind of the six degrees of the Preakness (ala Kevin Bacon). Always sad when historical places are torn down. They can rebuild, but the old scars, scuffs, and smells won’t be there. Farewell, Old Hilltop. As for the race – wow! I had wins on both Gosger and Journalism, plus an exacta box, so I was a winner either way. I’m sure I would have cashed for more had Gosger won, but I found myself cheering for Journalism after he bulled his way through and came charging, trying to catch the valiant longshot, Gosger. Great race. Another one for the memory book. Thank you, Steve for tying it all together.
Adding to your list of incredible & very interesting writings Steve, I believe that this may be your best work.
Truthfully, I hung on every workd……
Bravo times 1 million
All excellent memories of the Preakness.
On a negative note, I will also remember the year that a drunk got out onto the track and tried to punch a horse as he came down the stretch. I seem to remember that it was Artax. But it was so long ago that I might be wrong about which horse it was. My memory is so bad that I don’t even recall if they paid off on the race or declared it a “no contest”.
It will be interesting to see if they actually do rebuild Pimlico. Everyone was saying all the right things on Saturday. It sounded like they really had a plan and most importantly, a plan to pay for it. We’ll see.
Speaking of Todd Pletcher, I heard a stat(maybe during the very poor NBC telecast) that TP’s last 9 Preakness starters have gone 0-0-0. The Preakness obviously not his thing. Probably the spacing of the races. Todd Pletcher likes to give his horses more time between races. Nothing wrong with that.
Todd Pletcher KD record is nothing to brag about either besides his donut for the Preakness.
Yes, it was Artax that the man tried to attack. I don’t recall how the wagering was handled, but I remember that his rider (maybe Jorge Chavez? I’m not sure) was very shaken at the possibility that he could have run over somebody. Fortunately, that didn’t happen.
I read that there are plans for the rebuilding of Pimlico and that they are being inspired by the Old Clubhouse, which burned in the 1960’s. I don’t know how that could be done and I’ll believe it when I see it, but the Old Clubhouse was such a beautiful building that any trace of inspiration that they might get from it would be very welcome.
Having nothing better to do, I started reviewing the pedigrees of the 2yr. old colts sired by Curlin and Into Mischief. Provenance, by Into Mischief, out of Monomoy Girl, by Tapizar, captured by interest. Spendthrift Farm’s Monomoy Girl was a multiple Grade 1 winner, with $4.7 million in career earnings. To date, Provenance is Monomoy Girl’s only foul. I suspect Provenance will start working in a month or two and could be a special colt moving forward.
Another 2yr. old colt to keep an eye on is Battle, by Curlin, out of A Z Warrior, by Bernardini. As a broodmare sire, Bernardini is out of the best out there of late.
I realize it’s very early to start looking at this year’s crop of 2yr. olds, but I thought those two colts are worth keeping an eye down the road.
The greatest race U ever saw was the 1989 Preakness—Sunday Silence, Easy Goer and the two Pats—-the 1997 Preakness is in my top five, so The Preakness has been very meaningful—Afleet Alex and Journalism brought additional drama and heart….and now—the race could get dismissed some….mehopes not! Mehopes Journalism left a lively memory, of the middle jewel…
(Greatest race I ever saw)..
I really enjoyed this piece, Steve. Other than Secretariat’s Preakness, which has always been the pinnacle to me, was Afleet Alex’s. Those two for me, stand heads and shoulders above the rest, and granted, there have been many really good ones. But now I’ll add Journalism’s to that short list. I don’t see Afleet Alex in many pedigrees these days, but what a thrill to see him represented as the damsire of Goal Oriented. That made the race just a little bit more special to me.
Gosger ran on or near the front the whole way and set the fast fractions while the stalkers were taking it easy. He improved after just 3 races and should again. He won as a stalker in the Lexington and perhaps should return to that.
Larry Demeritte has passed away.
Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
I just read that. So sorry to hear the news! He was a class act.
I didn’t immediately recognize the name, but when I looked him up, I certainly did recognize his picture and his story. He was a truly inspiring person and a great credit to the sport he loved. This is very sad news.
I am very proud of Journalism and glad he prevailed in the Preakness. He looked fantastic getting on the van and heading for Saratoga. Hoping he competes in the Belmont against the likes of Sovereignty and Baeza. Would love to see Journalism on the outside for a change, when he makes his run. Would love to see Journalism win 2/3 legs of the Triple Crown .
Absolutely delightful read, brought back so many memories.
I’d like to give a shoutout and kudos to the person who mentioned AP Kid in a previous Haskin post. Well done. Gosger beat AP Kid in his maiden then AP Kid came back to win next out impressively. 3 horses came out AP Kids maiden race to all win next out. I like to look for live races and this appears to be the mother lode of the year so far.
That was me, Robert!
Wow, I forgot that APK had finished behind Gosger!
I hope APK a who they clearly think is a turf horse- is ok. He was entered in the American, but didn’t draw into the race. Then he was entered in an ALW on Friday, but race came off turf, so was scratched. He still hasn’t worked, and isn’t nominated to upcoming turf stakes
Absolute the best, Steve! Amazing stories and writing.
I love to follow coaching trees to see who developed others to succeed in their respective trade.
Is there anyone as successful as the coach lukas tree?
Bobby Frankel was special, glad you brought him up.
Ttanks Jeff. No one quite that successful but two Derby winning trainers came up under Frank Whiteley — Shug MccGaughey and Barcley Tagg . How about John Nerud — Wayne Lukas, Carl Nafzger, and Scotty Schulhofer came up under him
Thanks! Wow! John Nerud is the masterclass…
Agreed!
Gosh. Steve, not for nothing but there really should be another book (please don’t hate me). Not for me, but for that little girl or boy, horse mad also, who one night will curl up in that chair needing something amazing to read.
That’s very kind of you Angela. Thank you. I would love to publish another compilation of my favorite stories like Tales From the Triple Crown.
Hi Steve, I wasn’t being kind just honest. I’d like that too. TFtTC was an amazing read. I don’t have any publishing connections these days, except in the Popular Culture field (my current work is in drawing connections between past and present in movies, streaming services like Netflix and TV) but if there’s any way I could help that happen — be happy to do so.
Hi Steve
Many thanks for taking us down memory lane on past Preakness races.
Just out of curiosity, in what order would you rate the Triple Crown races.
I would rate the Kentucky Derby first, the Belmont second and the Preakness third.
With respect to Journalism’s Preakness win, there are not enough adjectives to describe his winning performance. Journalism is the personification of a true thoroughbred.
Now, it’s on to the Belmont. My top pick will be Baeza.
BTW, I must say your sense of recall is nothing short of amazing.
Steve, you are a marvel. What a beautiful sendoff to the “old” Pimlico. I could see and hear the Bafferts — first Jill, then Bob — crying and choking up merely from your description. And so gratifying that two long-time pillars of the sport (Wellman and La Penta) are owners of this year’s extraordinary winner, Journalism. Fingers crossed that both the Derby and Preakness winners square off in an epic Belmont.
Oh gosh, Steve, this was terrific! I loved your use of a Tolkien quote, your goosebump-worthy description of the race, and the way you wove in all that epic history. I especially appreciated your mention of American Pharoah’s rain-drenched Preakness. My mom and I watched that race from her hospital bed; she was recovering from a broken arm. I remember how worried we were about the crazy downpour and all the mud. But there was Pharoah, steady as a rock, seeming to say, “I got this.” His refusal to be deterred by such adverse conditions inspired us during a tough time.
This race was so bittersweet for me. I started grooming horses at Pimlico in 1975. It’s like part of my personal history is going away. I’m relieved that the track is not being changed, but I soooo wish there was a way to save that Stakes barn – such greatness resided there. As for Journalism… The word “brave” keeps running through all my sentences regarding him. It was a Sunday Silence/Easy Goer moment, an Afleet Alex moment, a Rachel Alexandra winning and Mine That Bird second Moment. Add a Journalism moment and there you have the heart of Pimlico. Farewell, old friend. You will be missed.
Beautiful, Peg. Thanks for sharing with us.
Beautifully said, Peg. Treasure your Pimlico memories.
Bravo!
Excellent post Peg.
It is the same for us West Coasters when Hollywood Pard got tore down.
That day broke my heart
Another gem from you, Mr. Haskin! So much history woven with present events as only you can do. I’m so proud of Journalism, the epitome of the noble, courageous, tenacious thoroughbred who ran his heart out on Saturday.
Beautiful article, Steve!
It sets up well for Sovereignty Journalism & Baeza maybe better than both the Derby and Preakness winner. I must say I’m not hearing much about the ride Flavian Pratt gave but he definitely lost a little respect in my eyes. I guess nobody went back and looked at it afterwards but he definitely looked like was rough riding and swinging his elbows. Just my opinion. See you at the Belmont can’t wait….
I did watch the race over and over and over, and it caused me to change my mind. I think there’s plenty of room for varying opinions, but originally I too blamed Prat. Then I decided that Rispoli never should have been in there in the first place because the gap didn’t exist. When he tried to push his way through and make an opening where there wasn’t one, Prat could have stepped aside and let him through, which no jockey is going to do, or he could have closed the non-existent gap, which might have caused all three to go down, or he could have tried something somewhere in the middle, which he did. He may not have handled it perfectly, but everybody survived, when at one point I wasn’t sure they would, and the best horse won. It was all so unnecessary, though. Journalism could easily have gone outside and won, anyway, and he and the others should never have been subjected to that situation. I think Rispoli is the one who made the biggest error.
I too am anxious to see Baeza run in the Belmont and I wish him well. Enjoy the race!
Jiffy, I’ve spoken to quite a few people with years of experience in horse racing and they all came to the same conclusion as you that Rispoli was clearly at fault and, moreover, believe Journalism should have been taken down.
How a jockey can be so reckless with his and other jockey’s lives, let alone the lives of the horses, I found incredulous. Even more so, that the stewards did nothing but nod their heads.
As you wrote, Rispoli could have easily taken Journalism outside and still probably have won. I’m mystified that some consider this race so spectacular. I found it to be US horse racing at its nadir.
Thank you. I think the admirable part of the race was the way Journalism recovered from the situation Rispoli put him in and made up all that ground to win, anyway. I’ve thought all year that he was overrated and he proved me wrong. But the horse’s performance and the jockey’s performance are two very different issues. I think I would have been sad to see a disqualification, but what happened was a lot worse than anything Maximum Security did. It also was a lot worse than what Junior Alvarado did. If someone who knew nothing about either race were shown tapes of the Derby and Preakness and asked which one would result in a fine and suspension, nobody would say the Derby. And for good reason. But as for the Preakness, if you can punish the jockey and leave the horse alone, maybe that would be the closest thing to justice that you could find here.
Yes, Jiffy, you make the perfect contrast with reference to the discipline handed out by the Churchill Down’s stewards toward Maximum Security and Junior Alvarado.
No doubt it must mistily those above involved, the punters, and the general public how in one state the rules of horse racing can be interpreted by the stewards so dramatically differently than the other. Confused? Join the queue.
In Australia, the stewards tend to punish the jockey and leave the placings in tact, especially in the major races. In France, Hong Kong, and Japan the stewards are deadly on the smallest of infractions while in England and Ireland the horse stays up mostly unless the misdemeanour is too obvious as in the case of Rispoli’s incident.
In a sport that is trying to improve it’s image and credibility in a time when the spotlight is on it and survival precarious, the stewards lack of clarity and fairness, from state to state, is doing the sport no favors in the long run.
Davids and Jiffy, I must say that I’m in agreement with you on the reckless riding of Umberto Rispoli. He put Journalism in a tight spot when bullying his way through a very narrow path. Curious that Jose Ortiz didn’t claim foul as he was slammed into the fence by Journalism.
All sports officials (referees, umpires etc.) make mistakes occasionally in their rulings (even with the aid of video review). The stewards in racing have perhaps the best videos to review with the various camera angles at their disposal, so, there is no excuse to get it wrong.
And yes, It also brought back bittersweet memories of Maximum Security’s Derby. I’ve reviewed the replay of the 2019 Derby dozens of times and I’m convinced, as were the owners, that Tyler Gaffalione (not Luis Saez) was the one who instigated the squeeze when trying to go through a hole that wasn’t there.
Gaffalione, who appears to be a pet of the Churchill stewards, received a mere slap of the wrist with a $2500 fine days after the bumping incident in the 2024 Derby. Sierra Leone should have been disqualified for interfering with Forever Young. Tyler was found to be culpable for the infraction yet the stewards were not competent to make the correct ruling immediately after the race.
Where are the racing gods when you need them, lol.
Dewey, they all live in France. Ha ha It is worth viewing the 2025 Group 1. French 1,000 Guineas (Poule d’Essai des Pouliches) which Shes Perfect nosed out Zarigana over the line but in so doing bumped Zarigana.
Everyone knew instinctively, apart from the English confections who were not well informed on the French rules, that Zarigana would be declared the winner by the stewards, which she was.
The connections of Shes Perfect appealed the decision but, only yesterday, their appeal was declared unsuccessful and the English connections of Shes Perfect graciously accepted the ruling.
The French stewards have been criticised many times by the English on being too strict but I’ve found over the years in their endeavours they have the ‘purist’ racing in Europe. The owners, trainers, jockeys, punters all know the rules, you make an infraction you will be dealt with accordingly.
Arguably, Japanese and Hong Kong stewards lead the way with a ‘no mercy’ attitude toward miscreants. I wish Australia, England, New Zealand and the United States stewardswould follow their lead.
I went over the Maryland Racing Commission’s – “Rules of the Race” and how Umberto Rispoli and Journalism weren’t taken down is a total mystery. The rules are there in black and white which the Pimlico stewards were blind in not following through.
Dewey, I agree with you that many stewards in the US have their favorites in various states, sometimes their rulings appear totally ‘criminal’.
One person who must have been mystified by the inconsistency is Luis Saez. He not only rode Maximum Security, who had the Derby taken away from him, he also rode Gosger, who would have won the Preakness if Journalism had been taken down. If everyone had been treated the same, he certainly would have won one of those races and maybe even both of them. It must have left him shaking his head.
Excellent points, Jiffy. In ethics and rhetoric – two wrongs don’t make a right. Applying that principle to racing, in many circumstances, you are often decieved.
I’m with you and Jilly on this one. Rispoli should have gotten days.
JanBer, it just makes a farce of racing when you see a jockey deliberately going to cause interference on two other competitors and, moreover, possibly resulting in fatalities of man and horse. Simply wrong.
Amen.
You had me at the Tolkien quote.
Journalism might be faster than Shadowfax.
Lol.
Ms Blacktype you mention the book Sound of Horses it was recommended to me by Steve, very hard to find, cost me $80 for a $6.50 book well worth it, excellent read, loved it, so much history need to read again. Stay safe stay healthy!!