Journalism dominates Los Alamitos Derby, shattering Bob Baffert's hopes

On a Saturday in December 2024, Journalism, a 2-year-old colt, secured victory in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity in California. Ridden by jockey Umberto Rispoli, Journalism ran the race at a distance of 1 1/16 miles, finishing with a time of 1 minute and 43.04 seconds. The victory was significant as it not only resulted in a win over three entries trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert but also marked an increase in Journalism's career earnings to $158,880. This race, which was a key contest on the horse racing calendar, did not allow place or show wagering due to its five-horse field, meaning all attention was on the win and loss outcomes only. Trainer Michael McCarthy had supplemented Journalism to the race for $7,500 just three days prior, after observing his progress in training sessions. McCarthy was pleased with the horse's performance, stating that he had given every chance to avoid racing if he was not ready. Rispoli echoed this sentiment, noting Journalism's relaxed demeanor during the paddock prior to the race, which indicated the horse was ready for competition. This was a strategic call by McCarthy, which paid off as Journalism overcame the leading horse, Getaway Car, in the stretch, showcasing his potential for future races. Bob Baffert, a well-known figure in the horse racing community, had high hopes for his entries. However, following the race, Getaway Car finished second as the third choice while Baffert's favorite, Gaming, came in third place, marking the first time in four starts that Gaming finished worse than second. Gaming's recent history included a notable performance as the runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile just a month prior, making this loss unexpected for many observers of the sport. Baffert's third entry, Mellencamp, unfortunately placed last in the field. The outcome of the race raised questions about the performance of Baffert's stable and could impact future betting and training strategies for his entries. The victory in the Los Alamitos Futurity was significant for Journalism, as it earned him 10 points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, an important factor in qualifying for the prestigious Triple Crown event next May. This notch in points is crucial for any horse aiming to secure a place in the Kentucky Derby, a highly coveted goal for trainers and owners alike. With the win, McCarthy and Rispoli are hopeful for Journalism's future performance in upcoming races, while Baffert's team will need to evaluate their training methods and horse conditions as they prepare for subsequent competitions.