Journalism Half-Sis Set to Write Her Own Story in Saratoga

[Wandering Eyes]

The past few months have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Liliana Solari, Carlos Heller and their team at Don Alberto.

In April, the farm's homebred superstar Journalism (Curlin) scored the first of three Grade I victories in the Santa Anita Derby. Three weeks later, his dam Mopotism (Uncle Mo) foaled a picture-perfect Flightline filly. Journalism finished second, first, then second again in the Triple Crown series, taking his ownership group on an unforgettable journey on racing's biggest stage. Then suddenly, the highs gave way to heartbreak when Mopotism passed away from colic complications. Later that same week, Journalism put in a late run to bring home the GI Haskell Stakes.

 

 

“It's been a lot,” Don Alberto's COO Reed Ringler admitted. “You lose the mare and then you're crying tears of joy and pain in the Haskell winner's circle just a few days later. The mare was so special and her legacy is going to live on through Journalism. The way he has been able to run down these elite-level 3-year-olds on the stage that he's done it on has been a thrill. It has been so gratifying for the farm and everyone that has had their hands on this horse.”

This coming week will mark the next chapter of a dramatic story for Don Alberto when Mopotism's yearling filly goes through the ring at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. The daughter of Into Mischief will sell as Hip 165 with Denali Stud during the auction's second session on Tuesday.

“From day one we wanted to bring this filly up here and have the opportunity to feature her in this marketplace in Saratoga and see what she could do,” said Ringler. “This filly is one of one. She's well-balanced and well-made. She has filled out and you can see the racehorse starting to come out in her.”

Journalism scores in the GI Haskell Stakes | Sarah Andrew

The March-foaled yearling is one of just three foals that Mopotism produced after Journalism, along with the Flightline foal and an unraced 2-year-old colt named Nitro Tap (Tapit) who was bought at this sale last year by Flying Dutchmen for $1.5 million. Mopotism herself was a Grade II winner and was four-time Grade I-placed before she was purchased by Don Alberto for $1.05 million in 2019.

“This filly certainly reminds us the most of Journalism,” Ringler explained. “You see it in her head and her eye so much. She's such a strong filly. I think actually she's maybe a bit bigger-framed than Journalism at this stage. She covers a lot of ground and is a two-turn type, just like Journalism.”

Denali Stud's Conrad Bandoroff said that the regally bred filly has taken everything in stride since arriving in Saratoga and kicking off a demanding week on the sales grounds.

“She has so much presence, class, and intelligence about her,” he explained. “I think she knows she's a bit special. One of the things I really love about her is she has this really beautiful and kind eye. She takes two steps out of the barn and immediately captures your attention.”

The filly is showing out of the same stall that her half-brother occupied two years ago. Also consigned by Denali, Journalism sold to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners for $825,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Bandoroff said he has fond memories of his time with the future star.

“As a yearling, Journalism was a dude,” he noted. “He was very imposing, very strong and an incredibly good-moving horse. He was vetted by almost every top buyer. Everyone was on him. When we're selecting horses to come up to Saratoga, one of the biggest things we emphasize when we're talking with our clients is the mental aspect of coming up here because it's a lot to ask of these young horses. With Journalism, that was one attribute that we never questioned. We knew he was going to come up here and do his job. He had this way of putting his head down and marching. There was always something that really stood out in my mind about him.”

Journalism's half-sister sells as Hip 165 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga | Sara Gordon

Now back in training at Del Mar after his Haskell score, Journalism is targeting either a return to Saratoga for the GI Travers Stakes on Aug. 23. or the GI Pacific Classic Stakes on Aug. 30.

“Anytime you have a horse come up to Saratoga and sell for $825,000, that's a proud moment,” said Bandoroff. “When they go on to reach the heights that Journalism has gone on to succeed, it's very rewarding and very gratifying. We're very proud at Denali to not only say that we have this small connection with him, but now we are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to represent the Don Alberto team in selling his half-sister.”

In addition to their daughter of Mopotism, Don Alberto will offer five other yearlings in Saratoga including Hip 117, a full-brother to dual Grade I winner and young sire Muth (Good Magic) and Hip 193, a Constitution filly out of GI La Troienne victress Salty (Quality Road).

“We're excited about the yearlings we have up here,” said Ringler. “We hope it's a vibrant marketplace. There's always great energy up here. Just looking around already, there are a lot of 'wows' up here this year. It's a beautiful time of year for a horse sale and it's Saratoga. Anything can happen.”

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