Michael McCarthy Joins TDN Writers Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland

NBC Sports announced Thursday that Journalism continues his dominant 3-year-old campaign with a victory in the GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, further cementing his reputation as one of racing’s most consistent performers under trainer Michael McCarthy’s guidance.

McCarthy, appearing as the Gainesway Guest of the Week on the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast presented by Keeneland, detailed the Curlin colt’s remarkable durability and racing intelligence.

“He was a horse early on that seemed to thrive on training and running as a 2-year-old, three races in seven weeks,” McCarthy said. “That kind of gave me the impetus that maybe he could handle something like the Triple Crown, if we were fortunate enough to get there, and we were.”

The trainer noted Journalism’s impressive Triple Crown campaign, highlighting his performance despite a sloppy track and early trouble in the Kentucky Derby, followed by his Preakness showing and “gutsy performance in the Belmont at Saratoga.”

McCarthy revealed the colt’s eagerness to return to training after brief rest periods. “We tried to give him an easy 10 days, two weeks, and he didn’t seem to be having it. He made it known pretty quickly that he wanted to get back to the work tab.”

[Spoiler Alert] The Haskell victory showcased Journalism’s signature late acceleration, appearing to struggle before unleashing a powerful drive in the final furlong.

“In the Haskell, going into the first turn, he had taken himself back a little bit farther than we’re accustomed to,” McCarthy explained. “Then going around the first turn, Umberto (Rispoli) gave him a tap on the shoulder and he re-engaged and put himself in contention by about the five-eighths pole. Sometimes with good horses, until they get to the quarter pole, you just never know where they’re at.”

Regarding future plans, McCarthy is considering multiple Grade I options including the Travers Stakes and Pacific Classic.

“We’ll kind of watch him here over the next week and maybe come up with a game plan,” he said. “But, as of right now, I think everything needs to be on the table.”

The trainer cited travel logistics as a key consideration in race selection, noting the convenience of Monmouth’s location compared to venues like Saratoga that require additional transportation.

McCarthy, who served as Todd Pletcher’s assistant before establishing his own stable, credited the Hall of Fame trainer with instilling crucial professional values.

“Showing up was probably number one,” McCarthy reflected. “You do whatever it takes to get the job done, and that was number two. Organization was definitely number three.”

In other segments of the podcast — sponsored by 1/ST Racing, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders’ Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, the KTOB and 1/ST TV — the team discussed WinStar stallion Life Is Good during the “Fastest Horse of the Week” segment sponsored by WinStar.

Book ’em Danno (Bucchero) earned recognition as the fastest performer after posting a 111 Beyer figure in his GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes victory.

The podcast team of Zoe Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss also analyzed Chad Brown’s four-win day at Monmouth Park and Scottish Lassie’s (McKinzie) dominant performance in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga.

The episode concluded with discussion of Kentucky Governor and 2028 Presidential hopeful Andy Beshear’s recent TDN interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sjz-60AxMM