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Journalism nails Gosger to crop Preakness Stakes
Journalism (2) with Umberto Rispoli up wins the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, on may 17, 2025.
Journalism (Umberto Rispoli 1-1) made a thrilling final charge after falling close to five lengths behind. He terminated with a torrid final stretch to pass Gosger (Luis Saez 155-10), Sandman (John Velasquez 32-1), Goal Orientated (Flavian Prat 8-1), and Heart of Honour (Britain's Jamie Osborne 197-10), clocking 1:55.4/10.
Excitement for the Preakness Stakes 1 mile 1.5 furlongs, was already tempered beforehand when Kentucky Derby conqueror Sovereignty was pulled out, ending any chance of a Triple Crowner.
Clever Again (8) with Jose Ortiz up takes an early lead over Gosger (9) with Irad Ortiz Jr. up in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, USA on May 17, 2025.
A growing number of owners and trainers of Kentucky strikers have chosen to skip the Preakness Stakes due to such a short turnaround, instead honing on Belmont Stakes Jewel, finality. It's a trend that has generated some controversy within the horse racing community, ending the chances of a rare Triple Crown. There was a 37-year drought between Affirmed and American Pharoah. Justify, which like American Pharoah was trained by legendary Bob Baffert, won the Triple Crown in 2018.
Journalism (2) with Umberto Rispoli up stands in the winners circle after winning the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA on May 17, 2025.
“It has been troubling for several years, Hall of Famer, Jerry Bailey said: “It’s completely flip-flopped from my generation when it was the rule that they would run back and only the exception that they wouldn’t.”
Journalism recovered from a major bump and came with a late, lovely surge at Pimlico, just before the venue is demolished for refurbishment. A runner-up in the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier for trainer Michael McCarthy, Journalism denied Gosger on the line. Many other horses would not have recovered from this type of glitch if interference and bouncing around.
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Highlighted by runner-up finishes in both the 150th Preakness Stakes and $300,000 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies, Brendan Walsh earned top prize of $50,000 in 1/ST Racing’s $100,000 trainer bonus offered to horsemen for their participation in stakes races over Preakness weekend.
Trainer M W McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli hold up the Preakness Stakes Trophy at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 17, 2025.
A native of County Cork, Ireland, Brendan celebrated his 52nd birthday in clover. A former exercise rider for Godolphin, he went solo in 2012 and owns 773 wins, with more than $62 million in earnings. Famous events arose from Pretty Mischievous, Maxfield, Santin, and Extravagant Kid.
To be eligible for the bonus, trainers had to run a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes - the ninth time a trainer bonus program has been offered. Steve Asmussen has won more races than any trainer in equine history.