Journalism, the runner-up at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, roared back on Saturday with a stunning win at the 150th Preakness Stakes at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course.
The 3-year-old colt, who entered the race as the 8-5 favorite, came from behind to take victory in the second leg of the Triple Crown, defeating a competitive field and keeping his hopes alive for 3-Year-Old Horse of the Year honors.
From Derby Heartbreak to Preakness Glory
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism surged past front-runner Gosger in the final stretch to claim the win by half a length, completing the 1 3/16-mile race in 1:55.37.
Gosger held on for second, while Sandman and Goal Oriented finished third and fourth, respectively. The track had dried out by race time after a week of heavy rain, offering conditions far better than the sloppy surface at Churchill Downs earlier this month—conditions that clearly favored Journalism.
A First for Rispoli, a Second for McCarthy
The Preakness victory marks a milestone for jockey Umberto Rispoli, who became the first Italian jockey to win a Triple Crown race. It was also a proud moment for trainer Michael McCarthy, who secured his second career Preakness Stakes victory.
Sovereignty Absent, but a Rematch Looms
Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby champion, did not race at Pimlico, breaking up any chance of a 2024 Triple Crown bid. However, a much-anticipated rematch between Journalism and Sovereignty could still happen at the Belmont Stakes on June 7, which will be held at Saratoga Race Course in New York while Belmont Park undergoes renovations.
This is now the fifth time in seven years that the Preakness was run without a Triple Crown on the line.
Last Preakness at Old Pimlico
Saturday’s race marked the final Preakness held at the current Pimlico Race Course, which is set to be torn down and rebuilt. The 2025 and 2026 editions of the race will be run at Laurel Park, located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., before the Preakness returns to a newly rebuilt Pimlico in 2027.
Looking Ahead to Belmont
Only three Kentucky Derby runners competed in the Preakness: Journalism, Sandman (trained by Mark Casse), and American Promise (trained by D. Wayne Lukas). Journalism became the first Derby horse to win the Preakness since War of Will in 2019, who was also trained by Casse.
With his Preakness win, Journalism now stands as a strong contender to claim top honors in the 3-year-old division, especially with a Belmont win next month.