NYRA has not received confirmation that Preakness 150 winner Journalism will compete in the GI Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga, though connections are actively considering the final jewel of the Triple Crown.
Trainer Michael McCarthy and Eclipse Thoroughbreds’ Aron Wellman told reporters Sunday morning that the Curlin colt will either ship directly to Saratoga or return to McCarthy’s Churchill Downs base in the coming days.
McCarthy indicated a direct route to New York appears more logical for the potential Belmont contender.
“[Shipping to Saratoga] puts him in a position to run,” McCarthy said. “He could go back to Churchill Downs and hang out for a week or two, and then make his way to Saratoga. But it seems a little counterproductive to go 12 hours by van back to Kentucky to head back to New York, whether it be by plane or by van.”
Wellman emphasized that Journalism himself would ultimately determine their Belmont participation.
“We’ll go through the same analysis as we went through between the Derby and the Preakness,” Wellman said. “That horse in Stall 33 will tell us whether he’s ready to go back in three weeks.”
Unlike the Derby-to-Preakness decision, which required a quick turnaround, connections now have additional evaluation time before committing to the 1½-mile test.
“It’s something we’d like to do. It’s something that we’re going to prepare for logistically in the event he does give us the green light. But whereas from the Derby to the Preakness, we really had a week to make that decision, we’ll have two-plus weeks to assess him,” Wellman added.
A potential rematch with Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) remains enticing for the Journalism team, though McCarthy maintains they’ll proceed cautiously.
“I think I’d like to see what he’s kind of telling us,” McCarthy said. “Now it’s two races in two weeks. Ate up last night. Seems like he’s pleased with himself. We’ll weigh the pros and cons.”
Post-race examinations Saturday night and Sunday morning showed Journalism emerged unscathed from the well-documented incident at the top of the stretch during his remarkable Preakness victory.
“It really defied logic,” Wellman said of the comeback. “I think anybody that’s watched any number of races and has any appreciation for what these magnificent animals can do, what he did there as a matter of guts and courage and bravery to begin with. Then to have the physical ability to accelerate again and mow a good horse down like Gosger, you just don’t see it happen.”
The Belmont Stakes field is taking shape with several high-profile contenders under consideration. Current possibilities include Sovereignty, Journalism, Gosger, TDN Rising Star Baeza (McKinzie), TDN Rising Star Hill Road (Quality Road), Preakness fifth-place finisher Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.), and TDN Rising Star Rodriguez (Authentic).
Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.’s GIII Peter Pan runner-up McAfee (Cloud Computing) would require a $50,000 supplemental nomination fee to enter. The half-brother to Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) is not Triple Crown nominated. Nominations for other Belmont Stakes Racing Festival stakes close May 24.
No Plans for Gosger, Ships to Kentucky Sunday
Preakness runner-up Gosger (Nyquist) has returned to Churchill Downs, trainer Brendan Walsh confirmed. While proud of the gray colt’s performance, Walsh remains undecided about Belmont Stakes participation.
“We were obviously disappointed to not win, getting so close, but not disappointed in the horse,” Walsh said. “He ran a very good race.”
Walsh believes his charge continues to develop but needs time to evaluate next steps.
“I think he is still improving. I don’t know about the Belmont yet. I’m going to give it a few days and talk to the owners to try to come to a decision pretty soon. I’m not sure which way we are going right now. He seems fine. We just shipped him back to Louisville today. We’ll see how it all goes and come to a decision within the next few days.”
Sandman’s Lack of Focus Bites Again, Blinkers Likely in His Future
Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse expressed mixed emotions following Sandman’s (Tapit) third-place Preakness finish. While pleased with the performance, Casse noted frustration after speaking with jockey John Velazquez.
“Johnny [who was riding the grey for the first time] said that at the three-eighths pole, he thought he was going to win,” Casse remarked. “But then [Sandman] lost focus.”
With 10 career starts including five this season, Sandman is unlikely to contest the Belmont Stakes despite shipping to Belmont Park Sunday. Connections are targeting the GII Jim Dandy Stakes on July 26 at Saratoga.
Casse reluctantly acknowledged an equipment change may be necessary for the Tapit colt.
“I don’t like doing it, but we may put blinkers on,” Casse said. “I have given him plenty of time to grow up. [Velazquez] said all the way down the lane, he wasn’t focused.”
Team Sandman plans to give their charge a brief respite before finalizing summer campaign plans.
Goal Oriented Heads Home to California as Rodriguez Takes Aim at Belmont
TDN Rising Star Goal Oriented (Not This Time), involved in the dramatic stretch incident during Saturday’s Preakness, will return to trainer Bob Baffert’s Santa Anita base. The lightly-raced colt will not target the Belmont Stakes.
“I know he is a good horse,” Baffert said. “[Journalism] was the best horse. He showed it.”
Baffert drew physical comparisons between the Preakness winner and another dual classic winner from his past.
“The way he is made, he reminds me of [2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner] California Chrome a little bit. He is nimble, light athletic and he moves that way in the morning when I watch him train. He just finds a way to get there.”
With just three lifetime starts, Baffert plans to be patient with Goal Oriented’s campaign going forward.
While Goal Oriented bypasses the Belmont, stablemate and TDN Rising Star Rodriguez will represent the Baffert barn in the June 7 classic. The GII Wood Memorial winner, who missed the first two Triple Crown legs due to a lingering foot bruise, is being pointed toward the 1½-mile test.
