Journalism claims dramatic win in 150th Preakness

The 150th Preakness Stakes run at Pimlico featured journalism’s late surge to recover from a bump.

The final race day before the 155-year-old venue is rebuilt and rebuilt, the evens favorite, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, made up five lengths in the final furlong to win the middle of the US Triple Crown.

Gosger was denied on the line, with Sandman coming in third place in the Kentucky Derby two weeks prior to trainer Michael McCarthy’s victory.

Prior to Goal Oriented’s earlier arrowhead toward the rails, the victor’s path had already been blocked, so he was inside between Clever Again and that horse.

“I don’t know if people realize what this horse did today; he made himself go at the quarter pole.” Although it was difficult, Rispoli said it was unbelievable.

There was a lot of bouncing around, McCarthy observed.

I guess I kind of accepted the fact that this was another excellent effort and that we might have fallen a little short, but it’s a testament to this horse. I couldn’t be more proud of him.

Sovereignty, who missed the Preakness due to the perception that the race had come too soon for Journalism, finished second overall in the Kentucky Derby.