Monmouth Park welcomed morning-line favorite Journalism (Curlin) Wednesday morning as the colt completed his first track work ahead of Saturday’s 58th running of the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes.
The 4-5 favorite jogged one mile around the oval under regular exercise rider Marc Witkowski after arriving Tuesday evening following an uneventful transcontinental flight from Southern California.
“I’ve been galloping horses my whole life. I’ve been on Grade I winners. He is the best I’ve ever been on, by far,” said Witkowski, who has partnered with Journalism since the colt first entered the barn as a 2-year-old.
“He’s a strong horse and he’s really smart,” Witkowski added. “He’s a very intelligent horse and he just loves it out there. He’s very competitive. He kind of puffs himself up but at the same time he’s still calm and quiet.”
Trainer Michael McCarthy plans to arrive at Monmouth Park on Saturday to saddle the winner of the GI Preakness Stakes and the GI Santa Anita Derby. The colt is co-owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore Partners of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
Justin Curran, a longtime McCarthy assistant who previously worked under Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, is overseeing the colt’s final preparations.
“He’s doing great. He traveled well and he’s happy with himself,” said Curran. “He got over the track nice and easy. That’s him. Every racetrack, he takes with him. We’ll gallop a-mile-and-a-quarter tomorrow.”
Journalism, the only horse to contest all three legs of the Triple Crown this season, will face Gosger (Nyquist) and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Goal Oriented (Not This Time) in the Haskell.
Gosger, the third choice at 9-2 on the morning line, is trained by Brendan Walsh. The colt arrived Wednesday in the early morning hours after vanning from Kentucky.
Walsh assistant Stephan Dolan, who accompanied Gosger during transport, reported: “He’s doing well and he’s happy. He just relaxed today. He might walk this evening and do something small. He’ll be out on the track in the morning. The boss will decide what he’ll do. Brendan will be here on Friday.”
Goal Oriented, the second pick at 4-1, represents Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. The colt shared the flight from the West Coast with Journalism, arriving Tuesday evening.
Baffert, who holds the Haskell record with nine wins, expressed confidence in Goal Oriented’s development since his last effort in the Preakness.
“I feel good with the way he’s coming into this race,” Baffert said. “He didn’t go backwards on us. He’s been moving forward. He’s a much better horse than he was in the Preakness and he needs to be. Whether he’s good enough, we’ll see. I have a lot of respect for Journalism. This will be a good race.”
Burnham Square (Liam’s Map), the only other Grade I winner in the field and the 5-1 morning line choice, is expected to arrive Friday. The colt captured the Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland in April.
