Dirt star Journalism out to prove he's America's 'best of the rest' in $1 million Saturday Grade 1

Two members of the Classic crop in America have lit up the dirt season so far: the Godolphin-owned Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty, and Journalism, second in both races and winner of the Preakness.

On Saturday, in the $1 million Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, Journalism has the chance to prove he deserves his title of 'best of the rest' as connections look to build him back up for another clash later in the year with Sovereignty, who missed the Preakness, middle leg of the US Triple Crown.

To describe Journalism as the Preakness winner may do him a disservice. In the year's most dramatic race, he bulled his way between horses at the top of the stretch, then made up five lengths on Gosger in the final furlong to win going away by a half-length.

• Watch: Journalism overcomes dramatic interference to land Preakness Stakes - Heart Of Honor finishes fifth for Osbornes 

On Saturday in the 58th running of the Haskell, Journalism and Preakness runner-up Gosger clash again with Goal Oriented, fourth in the Preakness after taking a hard bump in the stretch melee, also lining up in the 1m1f test.

"I wouldn't mind a replay of the Preakness," said Michael McCarthy, who trains Journalism, "but hopefully everyone gets a little cleaner trip this time."

Journalism: dramatic winner of the Preakness Stakes under Umberto RispoliCredit: Emilee Chinn (Getty Images)

The early odds have Journalism 4-5 favourite from stall two in a field of eight, predicting an easy time for the son of Curlin. Yet the even-money favourite nearly lost the Preakness, illustrating to McCarthy how nothing can be taken for granted in a Grade 1.

"Sometimes things don't work out like people think," he said.

The Haskell is a win-and-you're-in race for the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, beginning a second half of the season for Journalism for whom connections hope he can beat Sovereignty to capture the three-year-old male championship.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore partnership, Journalism will make his first start since his three-length defeat by Sovereignty in the Belmont.

• 'Her legacy is going to live on' - Journalism's dam Mopotism dies aged 11 

"It's nice to get him going again and see where he takes us. Everybody is certainly excited," McCarthy said about the $825,000 purchase at the 2023 the Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select yearling sale.

"He came out of the Belmont in very good order. He's a horse who thrives on training and competition. Not much that he does at this point surprises me. For him to give us all the signs that he is ready to get back to work was just a reflection of the type of horse that he is."

Read more: 

Godolphin claim a first Kentucky Derby as Sovereignty dazzles on a super Saturday  

Watch: Journalism overcomes dramatic interference to land Preakness Stakes - Heart Of Honor finishes fifth for Osbornes 

Watch: 'It was a replay of the Kentucky Derby' - Godolphin's Sovereignty beats big rival Journalism again in convincing Belmont win 

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