Journalism’s Belmont Status TBD, Final Jewel Starts Taking Shape as Some Bow Out for New Targets

[Wandering Eyes]

While no immediate plans for the GI Belmont Stakes have been made for Saturday's sensational Preakness 150 hero Journalism (Curlin), connections report that when their colt leaves the Pimlico grounds in a couple days, he will either go directly to Saratoga or to Michael McCarthy's Kentucky base at Churchill Downs.

With the son of Curlin under consideration for the GI Belmont Stakes June 7 at Saratoga, McCarthy and Eclipse Thoroughbreds' Aron Wellman spoke to the press Sunday morning and said the decision will be made in the next day or two, though the former made a straight ship to New York sound more likely.

“[Shipping to Saratoga] puts him in a position to run,” McCarthy said. “He could go back to Churchill Downs and hang out for a week or two, and then make his way to Saratoga. But it seems a little counterproductive to go 12 hours by van back to Kentucky to head back to New York, whether it be by plane or by van.”

Wellman reiterated that Journalism would ultimately decide their course of action regarding a start in the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

“We'll go through the same analysis as we went through between the Derby and the Preakness,” Wellman said. “That horse in Stall 33 will tell us whether he's ready to go back in three weeks.”

“It's something we'd like to do. It's something that we're going to prepare for logistically in the event he does give us the green light. But whereas from the Derby to the Preakness, we really had a week to make that decision, we'll have two-plus weeks to assess him.”

Regarding a potential rematch with GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), McCarthy admits it's a tempting prospect, but has said the intention was to proceed 'very carefully' when making their decision.

“I think I'd like to see what he's kind of telling us,” McCarthy said. “Now it's two races in two weeks. Ate up last night. Seems like he's pleased with himself. We'll weigh the pros and cons.”

“I said to Aron last night as we were walking down the stairs, 'Part of me, feels like we could have been here two-for-two.' But winning any of these three races is quite an accomplishment, so just happy to grab one of them. He's acting like he's wanting some more here. By going to New York, at least, it puts us in a position.”

An examination Saturday night and again Sunday morning showed the Preakness winner was no worse for wear after the well-documented incident at the top of the stretch. The Journalism team said they celebrated the 'impossible' comeback until the wee hours of Sunday morning.

“It really defied logic,” Wellman said. “I think anybody that's watched any number of races and has any appreciation for what these magnificent animals can do, what he did there as a matter of guts and courage and bravery to begin with. Then to have the physical ability to accelerate again and mow a good horse down like Gosger, you just don't see it happen.”

The list of potentials for the GI Belmont Stakes is a heady list with the likes of Sovereignty; Journalism; Gosger; 'TDN Rising Star' Baeza (McKinzie); 'TDN Rising Star' Hill Road (Quality Road); Preakness-fifth Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.); and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) currently in the discussion. Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.'s GIII Peter Pan runner-up McAfee (Cloud Computing)–the race won by Hill Road–is not Triple Crown nominated and would have to be supplemented for a $50,000 fee should his connections opt to nominate the half-brother to Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna). Nominations for the other Belmont Stakes Racing Festival stakes races close on May 24.

No Plans for Gosger, Ships to Kentucky Sunday

Trainer Brendan Walsh reports his Preakness runner-up Gosger (Nyquist) is already on a return trip to Churchill Downs. Walsh said he was proud of the effort, but added that Belmont Stakes plans remained undecided for the grey.

“We were obviously disappointed to not win, getting so close, but not disappointed in the horse,” Walsh said. “He ran a very good race.”

“I think he is still improving. I don't know about the Belmont yet. I'm going to give it a few days and talk to the owners to try to come to a decision pretty soon. I'm not sure which way we are going right now. He seems fine. We just shipped him back to Louisville today. We'll see how it all goes and come to a decision within the next few days.”

Sandman's Lack of Focus Bites Again, Blinkers Likely in His Future

Hall of Famer Mark Casse had a bittersweet moment after he watched Sandman (Tapit) run a gutsy third in the Preakness. While he was proud of the effort, there was an element of frustration after speaking with his rider, Hall of Famer John Velazquez, at the conclusion of the race.

“Johnny [who was riding the grey for the first time] said that at the three-eighths pole, he thought he was going to win,” Casse remarked. “But then [Sandman] lost focus.”

With 10 starts in his career and five this season, Casse says a start in the GI Belmont Stakes is unlikely for Sandman, even as the horse ships to Belmont Park Sunday to prepare for his summer at Saratoga. The current target is reportedly the GII Jim Dandy Stakes July 26.

While he's not thrilled with the prospect, Casse also mentioned that an equipment change might be in order for the son of Tapit.

“I don't like doing it, but we may put blinkers on,” Casse said. “I have given him plenty of time to grow up. [Velazquez] said all the way down the lane, he wasn't focused.”

But before any future plans are made, Team Sandman intends to give their charge a little time to catch his breath.

“We want to give him a little break.”

Goal Oriented Heads Home to California as Rodriguez Takes Aim at Belmont

'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), part of the dramatic bumping at the head of the stretch Saturday, will head back to trainer Bob Baffert's Southern California home base at Santa Anita, and will not be making a start in the Belmont Stakes.

“I know he is a good horse,” Baffert said. “[Journalism] was the best horse. He showed it.”

“The way he is made, he reminds me of [2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner] California Chrome a little bit. He is nimble, light athletic and he moves that way in the morning when I watch him train. He just finds a way to get there.”

Baffert says he will be patient deciding what's next for Goal Oriented as the Preakness was only his third lifetime start.

While this 'Rising Star' won't be heading to New York, 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez will be carrying the banner for the connections instead after missing the first two legs of the Triple Crown with a lingering foot bruise. The GII Wood Memorial winner will be pointed to the June 7 marquee in place of his stablemate.

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