In comeback, Journalism wins 150th Preakness Stakes

Journalism ran down Gosger at the post, needing all of the course's 1 3/16th miles to author a stunning comeback victory of the 150th Preakness at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course.

Two weeks after entering the Kentucky Derby as the favorite only to finish second, Journalism appeared beaten again entering the final straightaway at Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, the middle leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Once trailing by as many as five lengths, Journalism was still far behind Gosger at the top of the homestretch as it squeezed between Clever Again and Goal Oriented — the horses so close they and their jockeys rubbed together — before finally finding open ground. From there, with jockey Umberto Rispoli urging him on, Journalism ran down Gosger at the post, needing all of the course’s 1 3/16th miles to author a stunning comeback victory at the 150th Preakness at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course.

It was the second Preakness victory for Journalism's trainer, Michael W. McCarthy, who previously won in 2021 with Rombauer. As the gap between the leader and Journalism widened, McCarthy said he was resigned to a loss.

“My initial thought was, ‘Proud of the horse,’” McCarthy said. “‘Great effort, just gonna come up a little bit short.’”

Except, the race was far from over. Gosger finished second, with Sandman third.