Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners trainer Michael McCarthy remained noncommittal Sunday regarding the next move for Haskell victor Journalism (Curlin).
The colt, who captured the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes, is campaigned by his breeder Don Alberto Stable along with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and Coolmore connections Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
Meanwhile, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert confirmed that Haskell third-place finisher Goal Oriented (Not This Time), a TDN Rising Star, will target the GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 23.
“We’ll get him home. He’s flying home on Tuesday and then back [to the East Coast] for the Travers,” Baffert said by phone from his Southern California base.
According to Eclipse’s Aron Wellman, Journalism will share a plane ride back to Southern California with Goal Oriented.
“I’m just in awe of him in every respect. He’s a treasure,” Wellman said of Journalism.
When pressed about future plans, McCarthy kept options open. “We’ve got a couple of scenarios to work out. We’re just going to enjoy this for now.”
Gosger (Nyquist), who finished second in Saturday’s Haskell, appeared to exit the race in good condition and was scheduled to depart New Jersey mid-afternoon Sunday.
“We were let down, but he ran a great race,” assistant trainer Sean Dolan said. “Journalism is obviously a very good horse. Hopefully, our horse will continue to improve, which he should do.”
The Nyquist colt previously won the GIII Lexington Stakes earlier this season and also finished runner-up behind Journalism in the GI Preakness Stakes.
Local contender Wildncrazynight (Midnight Lute), who finished last in the eight-horse Haskell field, will return to New Jersey-bred competition according to owner Staton Flurry.
“Hopefully, we can find a New Jersey-bred race for him next,” Flurry said. “That will be the ideal spot. He’s run as good as anybody in the state-bred races and he’s a nice horse. A very nice horse. We’ll look for an allowance or one of the state-bred stakes coming up and have some fun.”
