Journalism secured a decisive victory at the Santa Anita Derby, marking himself as a strong contender for the Kentucky Derby. With a thrilling win amidst a competitive five-horse field, trainer Michael McCarthy emphasized the horse's capability to handle challenges. Despite facing a slow start and needing to navigate through the pack, Journalism's performance demonstrated his readiness. The race's unique point structure, due to its small size, is a point of discussion for the other competitors, especially Citizen Bull and Baeza, as they vie for a Kentucky Derby position.
"I think it's something you need to do," said trainer Michael McCarthy about the horse's trip. "Obviously in a five-horse field like he did [Saturday], if he can't do it against five, then he will have an awfully hard time doing it against 20 [in the Kentucky Derby]."
Citizen Bull, the reigning 2-year-old champion, had the lead after three-quarters of a mile in the 1 1/8 -mile race, while Journalism was sitting in fifth. But Citizen Bull couldn't keep up as Baeza went to the front.
The race was supposed to be worth 100 points for the winner and 50 points for second, but this year Churchill Downs put in a rule that if the race has only five starters, the points allotment is only 75%, so that the win was worth 75 points and second was 37.5 points.
It was clear that Journalism was the best. Journalism paid $4 to win and was followed by Baeza, Westwood, Citizen Bull, and Barnes.
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