One of the key preps on the Road to the Kentucky Derby has led to a shakeup at the top of the betting for the opening leg of the Triple Crown in 2025.
Journalism was a deserving winner of the Santa Anita Derby in California, and he has furthered his claims for success at Churchill Downs in the process.
So, how does the talented three-year-old compare with the leading dangers for Triple Crown glory in 2025?
Santa Anita Dominance
We probably learned more about Journalism at the Santa Anita Derby than we have about any other contender on the Road to the Kentucky Derby this year.
Journalism looks like a special horse for connections, and he battled back from a poor trip and a battle with Barnes to eventually see off Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victor Citizen Bull as well as Baeza, eventually finishing just under a length ahead of the latter.
You can find all the major horse races in Santa Anita here: https://www.twinspires.com/major-horse-races/
Still More To Come
Despite dominating fields and beating leading Derby hopes in the process, there is a belief within the McCarthy camp that we still haven’t seen Journalism bring his A-Game to the table this season.
There could be a real chance that he could also be a credible contender to win each of the three Classics this season. At the very least, he looks like an excellent runner in the Belmont Stakes, due to his tactical speed which is typically essential in the final race of the Triple Crown series.
The fact that Journalism needed to overcome adversity to land victory at Santa Anita only furthers his chances. Nothing went his way in the prep race, as he was forced to slow down quickly at the start, and even clipped heels with a rival in the field.
However, his ability got him out of jail, and for many bettors, you’d learn a lot more about a Derby contender like this rather than siding with a horse that is yet to be asked a question in any of their races.
Umberto Rispoli was also delighted with his runner’s effort, and claimed it was a pleasing surprise to see how well he dealt with being so far back at a track such as Santa Anita, where it is traditionally difficult to come back and win.
How Do The Ratings Assess His Chances?
Journalism very much looks like the horse to beat at Churchill Downs this year, as the McCarthy runner is the top-rated three-year-old in the United States. His best recorded Beyer Speed Figure was the 108 registered when beating Barnes in the G2 San Felipe Stakes at the start of March.
However, such has been his level of performances, the three-year-old now holds two of the top five Beyer ratings for horses in his age category this season. His Santa Anita Derby success saw him achieve a rating of 102.
Only one horse has achieved a higher rating than that this season, as Barnes registered a 105 when finishing second behind Journalism in the San Felipe Stakes. Baeza also comes out as a major contender based on ratings, but he would have plenty to find on the Derby favourite if the McCarthy runner has a clear round.
Rodriguez could yet be the leading runner from the Bob Baffert yard after landing the Wood Memorial Stakes, as he holds two of the top ten Beyer ratings for horses aged three.
Journalism appears to be the leading hope from Southern California this year, but no runner from the region has won the Derby since Authentic landed success in 2020.
Leading Derby Contenders
The prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby are nearly complete, meaning that the field is slowly taking shape. Traditionally, horses that achieve at least 100 points will secure their starting spot, but at this stage only eight runners have exceeded that tally.
Burnham Square became the latest to join the field after landing the Blue Grass Stakes, taking his tally of points to 130. Sandman sits second in the standings after winning the Arkansas Derby.
