LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A colt named "Journalism" was always going to get good press. That he's the likely favorite for the May 4 Kentucky Derby just makes it easier — and, this time, more than justified.
The son of Curlin arrived at Churchill on Tuesday afternoon, flying into Indianapolis and vanning down to Louisville. What? You thought a horse named Journalism would fly direct? Have you seen this business lately?
Wait. What am I writing about again?
Journalism went to the track on a sunny Wednesday morning and looked right at home, with an easy gallop before heading back to trainer Michael McCarthy's barn for a bath and some more rest after his trip.
SEE IT | Journalism's first trip to the Churchill Downs track
A year ago, McCarthy came to Churchill Downs with a turf horse named Endlessly who ran a credible ninth in the Derby in his first start on the dirt. It was McCarthy's first Derby. Now, the 54-year-old former assistant to Todd Pletcher is back with a whole different animal. Journalism has the highest speed figure of any colt in the race (108) and has won four in a row.
"Didn't see much of you guys here last year, so, yeah, a little bit different," McCarthy told a group of reporters after Journalism's gallop.
And what does he think of the increased attention?
"Good journalism," he said, smiling. "No fake news here. And I hope that's the truth. It's nice to have something like that. It's nice to garner a little bit of attention outside of the racing world with a horse like him."
From California standout to Derby frontrunner
He certainly had it on Wednesday morning, a little more than a week and a half from the biggest day in racing. Journalism navigated a bit of trouble to overcome a five-horse field in winning the Santa Anita Derby. He'll have to overcome far more than that with a full field of 20 expected on the first Saturday in May.
But on the next-to-last Wednesday in April, it was smooth sailing. For a Kentucky-bred colt who has never raced outside California, he looked right at home back on his native soil.
"I thought he was great," McCarthy said. "That's more or less what we see all the time. You see he's got a lovely, long, fluid stride. Looks like he got over the ground well here. ... You always dream of having a horse of this caliber, and things seem to be going the right way here. We've still got 10 days (until the Derby), but I certainly wouldn't want to trade positions with anybody. We'll work this weekend and kind of see where we're at."
The work will depend on weather conditions. Whenever it happens, expect Journalism to make headlines — again.
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