Front Page News: Journalism Headlines Kentucky Derby 151

[Wandering Eyes]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Journalism (Curlin) has gotten plenty of ink–and rightfully so–ahead of the 151st running of the GI Kentucky Derby.

But here's something that you may not know about the 3-1 morning-line favorite.

How did Journalism–campaigned in partnership by the powerhouse partnership of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 and the Coolmore partners (Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith)–get his name?

“We have always tried to mimic the Claiborne tradition of naming horses with one-word names with a clever connotation to its pedigree,” Eclipse frontman Aron Wellman said.

“Curlins are hard to name, so we opted to go off the dam's name, Mopotism (Uncle Mo), so we wanted a name that ended in 'ism.' I was the Sports Editor of my high school newspaper and am accused of being a disgruntled sports writer. Journalism has always been in my blood and I admire responsible and creative journalists. So, we went with Journalism.”

Wellman added, “I find it poignant that in this day and age when the truth is so hard to discern in today's media that all eyes will be on a horse named Journalism for the Kentucky Derby.”

Speaking of media, here are some of the other main storylines to keep an eye on for this year's Kentucky Derby:

• Following a much-discussed, three-year suspension, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert makes his Kentucky Derby return with champion 2-year-old Citizen Bull (Into Mischief).
• Closing in on 90 years of age (his birthday is Sept. 2), the legendary D. Wayne Lukas will saddle his 51st Kentucky Derby starter, American Promise (Justify).
• After becoming the eighth jockey to pull off the Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby double, Brian Hernandez, Jr. will ride the gelded Burnham Square (Liam's Map). Nine geldings have won the Derby. Last year's Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek, meanwhile, has longshot Render Judgment (Blame) entered.
• Publisher (American Pharoah) will attempt to break his maiden in the Derby as will his Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who is 0-for-26 on the first Saturday in May. Buchanan (1884), Sir Barton (1919) and Brokers Tip (1933) are the only maidens to win the Derby. Asmussen will also be represented by Tiztastic (Tiz the Law).
• Everyone loves to root for an underdog. Just a $2,500 FTKOCT yearling purchase, Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) earned his spot in the Derby with a runner-up finish for trainer Ethan West in the GII Louisiana Derby.
• Already the producer of 2023 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) and 2024 GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch (Good Magic), sensational broodmare Puca (Big Brown) could make it three straight years with a Classic winner with Baeza (McKinzie), who drew in off the also-eligible list.
• After coming painfully close with Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in last year's Derby, Japan will be represented by Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) and Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah), who were assigned neighboring posts.
• Godolphin and Brad Cox, the winning team behind Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), will have separate chances for a sweep. Sheikh Mohammed's operation will be represented by 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) and Sovereignty (Into Mischief) for a first Kentucky Derby victory. Cox will tighten the girth on Juddmonte homebred Final Gambit (Not This Time).

With more showers in the forecast and a first post of 11 a.m. ET, the 14-race Kentucky Derby program also features: the GI American Turf S.; GI Churchill Downs S.; GI Derby City Distaff S.; GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic; GII Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile; GII Pat Day Mile S.; and GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint S.

The 2025 'Run for the Roses' marks NBC Sports' milestone 25th presentation of the Kentucky Derby.

For profiles on all 19 of the Kentucky Derby runners–Rodriguez (Authentic) & Grande (Curlin) have been withdrawn–click here for our special preview edition.

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