Preakness Winner Journalism Relocates to Saratoga, Belmont Decision Remains Undetermined
Belmont Stakes officials confirmed Monday that GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) has arrived in Saratoga, where he will continue training while connections determine whether he will compete in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Trainer Michael McCarthy revealed the colt’s relocation plans during an appearance on At The Races With Steve Byk on satellite radio Monday morning.
The Belmont Stakes, scheduled for Saturday, June 7, will be contested at the shorter distance of a mile and a quarter this year.
Following Journalism’s impressive Preakness victory, part-owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and McCarthy had indicated they were weighing options between Saratoga and Churchill Downs for the colt’s interim training location.
“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 van,” McCarthy told the Pimlico notes team on Sunday.
The decision to base at Saratoga positions Journalism closer to Belmont Park while his connections deliberate on his Triple Crown finale participation.
Should Journalism contest the Belmont, he would potentially face a rematch with GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and third-place finisher Baeza (McKinzie). Both colts recently returned to the worktab after bypassing the Preakness at Pimlico.
The Belmont Stakes Twitter account confirmed Journalism’s arrival with a post stating: “Hot off the press! @PreaknessStakes winner JOURNALISM has just arrived in Saratoga!”
Hot off the press! 📰 @PreaknessStakes winner JOURNALISM has just arrived in Saratoga! pic.twitter.com/c5axflzntn
— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes)
Hot off the press! 📰 May 19, 2025
Journalism, a son of Mopotism (Uncle Mo), delivered a breathtaking performance in the Preakness that has racing fans anticipating a potential showdown with Sovereignty in the Triple Crown’s concluding leg.
