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Journalism rallies down stretch for sensational win in 150th Preakness

Journalism surged from behind to win the 150th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, capturing the middle jewel of the Triple Crown in the final race before the historic track is demolished and rebuilt.

Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism fulfilled his status as the 8-5 morning-line favorite, accelerating past the competition during a thrilling stretch run to claim victory.

Gosger finished second, Sandman took third and Goal Oriented, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, came in fourth. For Rispoli, it marked his first Triple Crown win, making him the first Italian jockey to secure victory in one of America’s three races. It was McCarthy’s second Preakness triumph.

The Preakness, traditionally held at Pimlico since 1873, is set to move to Laurel Park in Prince George’s County next year while the Baltimore track undergoes a $400m redevelopment. The race is expected to return to a new Pimlico in 2027.

Clever Again set the early pace, breaking cleanly out of the gates and leading into the first turn. Journalism was tucked along the inside, trailing by five lengths at the final turn. Rispoli swung him outside, and the colt responded with a powerful stretch drive, overtaking Clever Again and Gosger in the final strides.

The victory marked redemption for Journalism, who finished second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago. Sovereignty’s connections opted to skip the Preakness and target the Belmont Stakes instead, leaving Journalism as the clear favorite in a field of nine. The warm, dry conditions at Pimlico contrasted sharply with the slop at Churchill Downs, suiting Journalism’s running style.

With the Preakness behind him, Journalism’s connections will now decide whether to enter him in the Belmont Stakes for a rematch with Sovereignty. If he does, it would set up one of the most anticipated showdowns of the year.