Future Ashford stallion Journalism enhances Kentucky Derby claims with Santa Anita Derby strike

Although trainer Michael McCarthy might have ideally wished that Journalism  had an easier trip in the Santa Anita Derby, the colt faced several challenges and overcame each one spectacularly. 

Not only did Journalism dominate his four rivals - more than perhaps his three-quarter-length margin indicated - he learned lessons that should serve him well in his next goal: the Kentucky Derby.

"He was a little aggressive going into the first turn," McCarthy said. "They kind of came off the fence going in through the first turn, and he got a little aggressive again. He was able to kind of switch it off up the backside and found himself in a nice rhythm."  

A large contingent of owners and friends swarmed the winner's circle following the race. Several people are involved in the Eclipse portion, and the ownership group includes breeder Don Alberto, Bridlewood Farm, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert LaPenta. 

With the addition of the Coolmore group after an agreement to stand Journalism at Ashford Stud upon his retirement, that ownership also now includes John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, listed as lessees.

Eclipse purchased Journalism for $825,000 at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Sale in 2023 out of the Denali Stud consignment. Don Alberto bred the colt in Kentucky from the Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, winner of the 2018 La Canada Stakes at Santa Anita Park and a multiple Graded-placed performer. 

Journalism is the mare's first foal. Journalism, Getaway Car and Miss Martini are 2025 stakes winners sired by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, whose earlier runners include 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish. 

Curlin stands for $225,000 at Hill 'n' Dale Farms.

Meanwhile, at Aqueduct, Rodriguez, from the first crop of Authentic, cruised to a front-running three-and-a-half-length victory over Grande in the 100th edition of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes. 

The connections of Rodriguez will be hoping they have a case of "like father, like son" on their hands.

"Rodriguez was immature, just like his sire," said Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the trainer of both Authentic, the 2020 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year, and Rodriguez. "Then Authentic came around and found himself."

It was back in the pandemic-marred racing season of 2020 when Authentic came of age in the summer and won the Kentucky Derby and then the Breeders' Cup Classic in the fall.

His son has not finished worse than third in four starts prior to the Wood, having been second to two-year-old champion male and stablemate Citizen Bull  in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes and most recently third behind Journalism in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes, both at Santa Anita Park.

Bred by Kingswood Farm and David Egan out of the Cherokee Run mare Cayala, Rodriguez was bought for $485,000 from the Indian Creek consignment at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. 

Rodriguez is the seventh and most recent foal from Cayala and her third stakes winner. He is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner One Liner, stakes winner Provocateur and stakes-placed Roderick, all by Authentic's sire Into Mischief.

He is owned by bulky ownership group of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.

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