The reunion of the classic-winning colt Journalism and jockey Umberto Rispoli reached a dramatic and ultimately triumphant conclusion on July 18 at Del Mar, as the pair overcame a disastrous start to secure a three-quarter-length victory in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2). The victory, contested over a mile and one-sixteenth on the main track, marked a return to form for a horse that had spent nearly a year searching for the winner’s circle and provided a poignant milestone for a jockey who recently returned from a career-threatening injury.
Entering the gate as the heavy favorite in a field of five, Journalism was burdened with the high weight of 125 pounds, a testament to his previous elite-level accomplishments. However, the anticipated "easy win" nearly evaporated the moment the gates opened. Journalism missed the break entirely, lunging awkwardly and spotting his four rivals several lengths of daylight. As the field thundered toward the short run into the first turn, the longshot Mirahmadi seized the lead, leaving Journalism in the unfamiliar and precarious position of trailing the pack.
A Tactical Masterclass in Recovery
The pressure of the missed start fell squarely on the shoulders of Umberto Rispoli. Rather than panicking or rushing the son of Curlin into a frantic chase, Rispoli utilized the backstretch to steadily bridge the gap. By the time the field reached the half-mile mark in a moderate :47.47, Journalism had been guided to the outside of runners, looming just behind the leaders and poised for a challenge.
The complexion of the race had already shifted before the first call, as Full Serrano, the morning-line second choice, was a late scratch due to an infection discovered under a hoof patch. This left trainer John Sadler’s hopes with The Goat, who attempted a bold, sweeping move as the field turned into the homestretch. Simultaneously, trainer Phil D’Amato’s duo of Shea Brennan and Iron Man Cal began their bids, creating a wall of horses at the top of the lane.
Journalism, a horse known more for his grinding stamina than his turn of foot, found himself in a tactical dogfight. As Mirahmadi faded and The Goat’s bid flattened out, Armando Ayuso aboard Shea Brennan sought a gap to launch a winning run. Rispoli, sensing the danger, navigated Journalism with precision, keeping his mount positioned just enough to impede Shea Brennan’s momentum without violating racing rules. When Shea Brennan finally found daylight, it was too late; Journalism’s momentum carried him to the wire in a final time of 1:42.65. Shea Brennan settled for second, while Iron Man Cal finished third, 2 1/4 lengths further back.
The Long Road Back for Horse and Rider
For Journalism’s connections, the victory was a cathartic release following a year of frustration. Owned by a powerhouse syndicate including Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Don Alberto Stable, Bridlewood Farm, Elayne Stables 5, Robert LaPenta, and Coolmore, the colt had not seen the winner’s circle since his gritty victory in the Haskell Stakes (G1) exactly 364 days prior.
Following that Haskell win, Journalism faced a string of high-profile defeats against the world’s best dirt horses. He had finished a respectable but distant third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) behind Sovereignty and followed that with a win in the Preakness Stakes (G1), but the subsequent months saw him struggle to replicate that elite form. A change in jockeys from Rispoli to Jose Ortiz failed to reignite the spark, leading the owners to reunite the colt with Rispoli for the San Diego Handicap.
Rispoli’s own journey back to the Del Mar winner’s circle was equally grueling. In January, the Italian-born rider suffered severe fractures to his lower right leg during a race at the Pegasus World Cup Festival at Gulfstream Park. The injury required the surgical insertion of a rod and two screws.
"Coming back after that in five months was pretty good," Rispoli reflected after the race. "The important thing is I’m alive and back doing what I love. This horse has a huge heart, and even when things went wrong at the start, I knew he would give me everything if I just gave him the chance."
Statistical Breakdown and Financial Implications
Journalism’s performance was bolstered by his elite pedigree. As a son of the legendary sire Curlin, he possesses the "classic" distance capacity that allowed him to carry 125 pounds and still outwork his rivals in the closing stages. The San Diego Handicap serves as a crucial stepping stone in the Southern California racing calendar, specifically as the primary prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1).
The financial rewards for the victory were bolstered by the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series. By winning the San Diego, Journalism earned a $15,000 credit toward entry fees for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) or another eligible dirt race at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled for October 31 at Keeneland. Shea Brennan earned $7,500 in credits for his runner-up finish, while Iron Man Cal secured $3,750.
Aron Wellman, president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, noted the significance of the win given the horse’s interrupted training schedule. "He came to the race with minimum preparation," Wellman said. "For him to break like he did and carry all that weight—it was a massive effort. We can really look forward to the rest of the summer from here."
Upset in the San Clemente Handicap
The high-stakes action at Del Mar continued shortly after the San Diego Handicap with the running of the $202,500 San Clemente Handicap (G2T) for three-year-old fillies on the turf. In a stark contrast to the San Diego, where the favorite prevailed, the San Clemente produced a massive upset.
Somerset West, a 35-1 longshot trained by John Sadler and ridden by Armando Ayuso, sliced through a crowded field in the final furlong to win by half a length. Owned and bred by Keith Abrahams, the daughter of Kantharos was making a significant jump in class and distance. She had entered the race fresh off a maiden victory at Santa Anita on June 6 and had never previously run beyond 6 1/2 furlongs.
Somerset West covered the mile on firm turf in 1:34.76, edging out the Phil D’Amato-trained Inbox. The race favorite, Raiding Party, finished third. The victory provided immediate redemption for jockey Armando Ayuso, who had narrowly missed winning the San Diego Handicap on Shea Brennan just thirty minutes earlier.
Broader Impact on the Racing Season
The events of July 18 at Del Mar have significant implications for the upcoming Grade 1 schedule. Trainer Michael McCarthy confirmed that Journalism will now be aimed at the $1 million Pacific Classic on August 22. In the 2025 edition of that race, Journalism finished second to the champion Fierceness. With Fierceness currently dominating the older horse division, Journalism’s resurgence sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch on the Del Mar seaside oval.
Furthermore, the success of the "By Talla Racing" colors across two coasts highlighted a banner day for owner Michael Talla. Earlier in the day, his filly Splendora won the $500,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G2) at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Back at Del Mar, the Talla-owned two-year-old filly Holmby, trained by Bob Baffert, cruised to an easy victory in a $102,000 maiden event, stopping the clock in :57.33 for five furlongs.
As the Del Mar summer meet progresses, the return of Journalism to peak form adds a veteran presence to a division that has been looking for a consistent star. For Umberto Rispoli, the win cements his status as one of the most resilient and tactically proficient riders in the country. For the fans at Del Mar, the San Diego Handicap was a reminder that in horse racing, the most meaningful victories are often those snatched from the jaws of a poor start.
