Journalism Nearing Return to Worktab, ‘Postured for a Serious, Serious Campaign’

[Wandering Eyes]

Last year's GI Preakness S., GI Santa Anita Derby and GI NYRA Bets Haskell S. winner Journalism (Curlin), back in training with Michael McCarthy at Santa Anita since mid-January, is nearing a return to the worktab.

Campaigned in partnership by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore partners, the $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling concluded his brilliant sophomore season with a fourth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Nov. 1.

“Journalism has been back with Michael McCarthy for about three weeks and we're very pleased with how he's returned from his freshening at Bridlewood Farm,” Eclipse President and Founder Aron Wellman said.

“He put on about 50 pounds and he's returned with a controlled enthusiasm, which is exactly what we want to see. Meda Murphy, George Isaacs and their staff at Bridlewood did an awesome job during his downtime in Ocala and Michael is just biding his time before allowing Journalism to stretch his legs on the wood.

If all goes well and the weather cooperates, he should hit the worktab within the next week or so, but we're in no rush.”

Journalism's throwback, eight-race sophomore campaign also included a win in the GII DK Horse San Felipe S. and runner-up finishes in the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Pacific Classic S. He was an Eclipse finalist as outstanding 3-year-old-male of 2025 and was the only horse to compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown.

Any targets in mind yet for 2026?

“The (GI) Met Mile (at Saratoga June 6) is very intriguing to us as a first half of the season major goal, and, of course hope to be able to structure the second half of the season working backwards from the Breeders' Cup,” Wellman said.

“It's a long season and with the manner in which he's come back and his body language, he's postured for a serious, serious campaign.”

3x G1W & Classic hero, Journalism, is back w @mwmracing @santaanitapark after a much-deserved freshening @bridlewoodocala! The always announces his presence with authority. Looking forward to next week's @NTRA Eclipse Awards & a massive 2026 campaign ahead! #BelieveBig pic.twitter.com/DfcdOjXBCz

— Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (@EclipseTBP) January 16, 2026

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