Journalism Leads Cadre Of Santa Anita Workers On Sunday

[Wandering Eyes]

Top 3-year-old Journalism (Curlin) returned to the work tab Sunday at Santa Anita following his victory in the GII San Felipe Stakes Mar. 2.

Journalism and jockey Umberto Rispoli hit the track together under darkness at about 6:30 a.m. PT. The colt, trained by Michael McCarthy, was clocked working four furlongs in :48.20. He is targeting the GI Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles Apr. 5.

“Very good,” McCarthy said of the drill. Rispoli reacted with a wide grin and a thumbs up.

In the San Felipe, Journalism ran down previously unbeaten Barnes (Into Mischief) in deep stretch and won going away by 1 3/4 lengths with Rispoli aboard. The effort earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, which is tied for the highest posted by a 3-year-old this year.

Journalism Runs Down Favorite Barnes And Wins The Grade II, $300,000 DK Horse San Felipe Stakes For 3-Year-Olds Going 1 1/16 pic.twitter.com/UsrF8Rdtc8

— Santa Anita Park (@santaanitapark) March 2, 2025

In this weekend's Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Journalism opened as the 3-1 favorite and remained the favorite at 5-1 as of Sunday morning.

Journalism has banked $338,880 in earnings for breeder Don Alberto Stable and co-owners Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC and Robert V. LaPenta. He also won the GII Los Alamitos Futurity in December.

Bullard (Gun Runner), another graded stakes-winning 3-year-old for McCarthy, worked for the first time in four weeks. The 'TDN Rising Star' was clocked going four furlongs in :48.60 seconds. Bullard has not started since finishing third in the GII San Vicente Stakes Jan. 4. McCarthy called it a “nice work” and added Bullard is also possible to return in the Santa Anita Derby.

“We're keeping all of our options open,” McCarthy said.

Trainer Bob Baffert's workers included 3-year-old Madaket Road (Quality Road) and multiple stakes winner Casalu (Caracaro). Madaket Road went four panels in :46.40 seconds. It was the fastest of 72 works at the distance. In two starts this year, the Quality Road colt finished second in the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Feb. 23 and was third in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Feb. 1. He is also part of this weekend's Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Casalu worked four furlongs in 49 flat. In two starts at the Classic Meet–both on grass–the 3-year-old filly won the Blue Norther Stakes in December and the Sweet Life Stakes Feb. 9.

Kopion (Omaha Beach) worked four furlongs in :48.40 seconds for trainer Richard Mandella. Winner of the GI La Brea Stakes in December and GII Santa Monica Stakes Feb. 1, the 4-year-old had to miss last weekend's Beholder Mile because of illness. The filly has earned $434,600 for owner Spendthrift Farm.

There were a combined 244 workouts between the main track and training track at 'The Great RIP' on Sunday.

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