Bill Mott’s decision to let Sovereignty skip the Preakness Stakes after the Kentucky Derby triumph shocked fans. Michael McCarthy, on the other hand, couldn’t wait to put Journalism to the test at Pimlico. “You’re always anxious to try it again,” the trainer said about trying his luck at the second jewel of the Triple Crown. And the gamble paid off like a charm. But despite McCarthy’s eagerness to race at every possible opportunity, the owners still seem to be indecisive about what’s next for the 2025 Preakness Stakes winner.
Over the next few months, two Grade 1 races will keep the horse racing community on its toes. On August 23, the Travers Stakes will descend upon the Spa, while the prestigious Breeders’ Cup will arrive at the Del Mar in late October-early November. And yet, Journalism’s connections can’t say for sure when the thoroughbred will hit the turf next, despite having two top-tier races to choose from.
On July 28, a report by *Blood Horse* shared what Journalism’s owner thinks about the thoroughbred’s return to action. With the Spa race less than one month away, fans were hoping the Kentucky thoroughbred would entertain them at Saratoga for the Travers. But Aron Wellman, president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, isn’t sure that’s on the table right now.
“We are going to take all the time to make this decision. We’re in no rush to make any decision on where he runs next. We’ve let him tell us how to dictate his campaign and we will not change now,” Wellman made it abundantly clear that the decision lies with how Journalism is feeling. The 3-year-old could race at the Pacific Classic (G1), and he will have strong competition there as well, in the form of the Bob Baffert-trained Nysos, who won the San Diego Handicap on Saturday. And yet, the 2025 Santa Anita Derby winner’s camp isn’t up for letting the competition dictate the terms.
Wellman further added, “our decision will not be based on our competition. It’s what Journalism tells us.” Feeling the blues, horse racing fans? We bet you do. After all, Wellman couldn’t stop throwing laurels at his horse after Journalism won the $1 million Haskell Stakes on July 19. “He’s just a champion horse,” the racehorse owner told reporters after the race, struggling to hold back his tears.
On the other hand, this wasn’t entirely expected. Journalism’s trainer was present in the stands to watch Sovereignty win the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes on Saturday. After the race, when asked if the rematch between his horse and the Kentucky Derby would happen in the Travers, McCarthy slyly meandered around the question and instead pondered if the reporter was talking about a rematch between Bill Mott’s horse and Baeza, who finished the Saratoga race in second place.
So we’ve got to wait all the way till October end to see Journalism and Sovereignty reignite their Triple Crown rivalry when the Breeders’ Cup kicks off? Looks like it! But hey, don’t lose all hope. Even if McCarthy and Wellmann ultimately decide to allow their horse some rest at next month’s race, the Travers will still have plenty to keep us hooked.
Despite Journalism’s potential absence, the Travers could be big
“It is a race I’ve never won, and I’d really like to win it before I check out,” Hall of Famer Bill Mott told NYRA that the Jim Dandy was only the preparation for the Travers. Sovereignty’s victory came just a week after Journalism’s emphatic win at the Haskell, and it wasn’t too difficult to comprehend that both camps have been keeping a keen eye on each other. But Mott has other things to worry about, instead of being entirely occupied by thoughts of whether Journalism will show up at Saratoga on August 23.
Bob Baffert, the iconic racehorse trainer with 17 Triple Crown victories under his belt, has had a pretty poor season in 2025 for the most part. Despite his prominent legacy at Churchill Downs, the 72-year-old didn’t find a first-place finish at any of this year’s three Triple Crown races. Thankfully, the losing streak finally came to an end last weekend when Baffert whipped out a fantastic win at the Del Mar thanks to Brant and Splendora. And now, he too is looking ahead to the Travers and the Breeders’ Cup.
Baffert’s claim that the Breeders’ Cup is like the “All-Star Game” won’t look too exaggerated when all of these scintillating horses arrive at the Del Mar in October. But will Journalism ultimately show up? Or will McCarthy and Wellmann decide otherwise? Share your thoughts with us below!
