Journalism Logs Another Major Victory in Haskell Stakes Comeback

by:Nick Roush•07/19/25•

RoushKSR

Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism at Churchill Downs, via Matt Stone:Courier Journal : USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images — Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism at Churchill Downs, via Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

They don’t make ’em like Journalism. Even when he’s not at his best, he’s better than almost every three-year-old thoroughbred in North America.

Racing for the first time since losing his highly anticipated rematch to Sovereignty in the Belmont Stakes, Journalism kicked off the second half of his 2025 campaign at Monmouth Park. The Haskell Stakes boasts winners like Big Brown, Rachel Alexandra, Authentic, and American Pharoah. Journalism is now in that company.

A 2-5 favorite in the Grade I race, Gosger and Goal Oriented were geared up to avenge a loss in the Preakness Stakes. It was deja vu all over again, except this time, Journalism got in trouble early.

The horse broke slowly from the gate and fell to the back of the pack, leading only closer Burnham Square for the first three-quarters of the race. Meanwhile, Gosger and Goal Oriented got perfect trips. The two dueled near the rail down the entire home stretch. That’s when Journalism dug deep. He made long stride after long stride to overcome a 2-length deficit at the 16th-pole, en route to a victory by a neck at the wire.

What a performance!!! #2 JOURNALISM ($2.80) and @umbyrispoli get a perfectly timed win in the @BreedersCup WAYI $1 Million Haskell Stakes (G1) at @MonmouthPark. The three-year-old Curlin colt is now a 3x Grade 1 winner. @EclipseTBP pic.twitter.com/ldoJr7sHK9
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 19, 2025

Journalism looked like he was moving in slow motion. It’s far from his top form, and yet it’s still so much better than the competition.

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His fourth victory of the year was his third Grade I win. His only losses were second-place finishes to Sovereignty. If all goes according to plan, we’ll see the rivalry renewed in the Travers Stakes next month, followed by the Breeders’ Cup in November.

This isn’t the best horse you’ve ever seen, but it’s easy to fall in love with this resilient beast.

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