Start spreading the news: Journalism is set to become the favorite for the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) after rolling to victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Saturday.
Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism ($4 on a $2 win bet) overcame all kinds of obstacles in the 1 1/8-mile, $500,000 Santa Anita Derby and defeated Baeza by three-quarters of a length.
With a fourth straight win, Journalism moved into second on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 122.50 points, giving McCarthy a strong chance to win the "Run for the Roses."
A son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, Journalism now has wins over a slew of trainer Bob Baffert’s top 3-year-olds as 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull finished fourth and $3.2 million colt fifth and last on Saturday.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism beat Barnes in the San Felipe (G2) prior to Saturday’s race and clearly is the best in the West.
“That’s such a good animal to be able to get out of there,” Rispoli said. “It’s rare for a horse to get held up at the three-eighths pole and to get back in the race in that way. It’s always difficult, especially for such a big horse. But he has such an amazing style and is just an amazing horse.”
Added McCarthy: “He had me worried for a jump or two. Special horse.”
Journalism raced behind the field through the first three-quarters of a mile, having been shuffled back several times. But he made his move three wide and moved past Baeza to win in 1:49.56.
"Write this down. Journalism is the best in the west as he wins the Santa Anita Derby!" pic.twitter.com/1S7Q5r1Dyi
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) April 6, 2025
Baeza may give trainer John Shirreffs another shot at the Derby as the colt picked up 37.5 points, currently 23rd on the leaderboard with the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) to be run on Tuesday – with 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers.
In a rare result, Baffert’s colts finished at the back of the pack, with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Citizen Bull adding 11.25 points to move to 71.25 and secure his Derby spot. Meanwhile, Barnes is out of Derby contention after adding just 7.5 points to move to 26.50.
“I was discouraged he didn’t get the win today,” Baffert said of Citizen Bull. “He got tired. He’s a heavy horse. The track was deep today. We will figure this out. We have a week and then we’ll decide what is next.”
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
