It finally happened. After the heartbreak at Churchill Downs just two weeks ago, Journalism has officially redeemed himself by winning the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes. Honestly, if you were watching the final stretch at Pimlico today, you probably had your heart in your throat. This wasn't just a win; it was a gritty, dirt-flying reclamation project.
The favorite actually delivered. It's kinda rare to see the "beaten favorite" from the Kentucky Derby come back and actually handle the pressure of being the even-money choice in the second leg of the Triple Crown, but Umberto Rispoli and trainer Michael McCarthy clearly had a plan.
The Chaos at the Rail: How Journalism Won the Preakness Stakes Today
Most people thought the race was over at the top of the stretch. Gosger, the 15-1 longshot who had been tracking the early pace set by Clever Again, suddenly looked like he was gone. He had a lead that felt insurmountable. Meanwhile, Journalism was buried in a mess of traffic.
There was a moment—basically right as they hit the far turn—where things got ugly. Goal Oriented, Baffert’s lone entry, ducked in and bumped Journalism. It was the kind of contact that usually ends a horse's day. Journalism stumbled slightly, lost his rhythm, and for a second, it looked like the 2025 Triple Crown was going to be another "what if" story.
But Rispoli didn't panic. He regathered the colt, tipped him off the rail, and then Journalism just... exploded.
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He reeled in Gosger with a relentless drive, eventually getting his nose in front and clearing off by a half-length at the wire. The final time was 1:55.47 on a fast track. It was the definition of "finding another gear."
The Full Finishing Order and What It Means for Your Pockets
If you had Journalism to win, you aren't exactly buying a yacht tomorrow, but a win is a win. He paid out $4.00 on a $2 bet. The real money was in the exotics if you managed to catch the longshot Gosger in the second spot.
Here is how the top of the field shook out:
- Journalism (The Winner) - Payout: $4.00, $2.80, $2.40
- Gosger (The Heartbreaker) - Payout: $9.00, $5.40
- Sandman (The Late Closer) - Payout: $3.60
- Goal Oriented (The Pacesetter)
- Heart of Honor (The British Import)
The $2 Exacta (2-9) returned a solid $33.80, while the $1 Trifecta (2-9-7) paid out $73.50. If you were lucky enough to hit the $1 Superfecta (2-9-7-1), you’re looking at $303.40.
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Behind the leaders, the rest of the field struggled. River Thames finished sixth, followed by Pay Billy, American Promise, and a very tired Clever Again, who was eased across the wire after setting those blistering early fractions of 23.19 and 46.66.
Michael McCarthy’s Second Black-Eyed Susan Garland
This win is a massive deal for trainer Michael McCarthy. You might remember him winning this race back in 2021 with Rombauer. He’s a former assistant to Todd Pletcher, and you can see that disciplined, "get the horse right" mentality in how he handled Journalism after the Derby.
McCarthy was visibly emotional in the winner’s circle. He mentioned to NBC that when he saw the bumping at the rail, he almost resigned himself to another "fantastic effort" that fell short. It’s a testament to the horse's sheer will. This animal didn't just win on talent; he won on heart.
For jockey Umberto Rispoli, this is his first Triple Crown race victory. He’s been a champion in Italy and a force on the West Coast, but winning at Pimlico on the third Saturday in May is the stuff of legends. He described the ride as a "privilege," noting that Journalism basically "made himself get going" after the trouble.
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Why This Preakness Was Different
This year felt a bit like an era ending. It was the final Preakness at the "old" Pimlico Race Course before the massive reconstruction project begins. The atmosphere was electric, but also a bit bittersweet.
There was also the absence of the Derby winner, Sovereignty. Usually, that takes the air out of the room. But Journalism’s performance actually restored some of the Triple Crown’s luster. We saw a horse who was second-best two weeks ago prove that he is, in fact, an elite athlete capable of overcoming adversity.
What’s Next: Onward to Saratoga
Since the Belmont Stakes is being held at Saratoga this year while Belmont Park is under construction, the distance will be 1 1/4 miles instead of the traditional "Test of the Champion" 1 1/2 miles.
This change in distance plays right into Journalism’s hands.
If you're looking to follow this horse, here are the immediate next steps:
- Watch the Replay: Pay close attention to the 3/4 mile mark. Seeing how Journalism recovers from the bump with Goal Oriented is a masterclass in equine athleticism.
- Monitor the Belmont Entries: The showdown between Journalism and Sovereignty at Saratoga is going to be the race of the summer.
- Check the Speed Figures: Journalism posted a 98 Beyer, which is solid, but he’ll likely need to step that up slightly to beat a rested Sovereignty in New York.
Journalism proved today that he isn't just a "Santa Anita horse" or a "Derby runner-up." He is the Preakness champion. Whether he can parlay this into a Belmont win remains to be seen, but for now, Baltimore belongs to him.