Can Michael McCarthy’s Journalism Win the 2025 Kentucky Derby? – He’s Got Tough Competition
Michael McCarthy may be more used to headlines than head starts, but come Kentucky Derby Day 2025, all eyes could be on him, not for a front-page scoop, but for a front-running horse.
The respected journalist-turned-horseman has a serious contender in the mix for this year’s Kentucky Derby. But with a packed field and some serious horsepower from rival trainers, the question is: can McCarthy write his way into racing history?
His runner, Journalism, trained with quiet confidence and a keen eye for timing, has been turning heads on the prep circuit. McCarthy knows the Derby isn’t won on paper, it’s won with patience, planning, and a bit of luck.
Still, with names like Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, and Bob Baffert likely to saddle up, he’ll need more than a well-written script to beat the heavyweights.
Journalism
With an impeccable pedigree, a stellar racing record, and a skilled team behind him, this son of Curlin is poised to make headlines on May 3 at Churchill Downs.
As the race favourite, with odds of around 5/1 on Fanduel, he has every chance of success but faces stiff competition from other top contenders like Luxor Cafe, Sovereignty, and Tappan Street.
Journalism has quickly established himself as one of the top 3-year-olds in the country. Bred by Don Alberto Corporation and owned by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, he boasts an enviable pedigree.
His sire, Curlin, is a Hall of Fame inductee known for his stamina and versatility, while his dam, Mopotism, adds further class as a daughter of Uncle Mo.
Since debuting in December 2024, Journalism has been flawless across three starts, winning each race with increasing authority. His most recent victory in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby solidified his status as the Kentucky Derby favourite.
Despite encountering trouble during the race – getting boxed in early and losing momentum – he rallied impressively to win by three-quarters of a length.
Trainer Michael McCarthy
Michael McCarthy is no stranger to success on racing’s biggest stages. The California-based trainer first gained prominence working under Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher before striking out on his own in 2014.
McCarthy’s career highlights on the road to the Kentucky Derby include victories in the Pegasus World Cup with City of Light in 2019 and the Preakness Stakes with Rombauer in 2021.
McCarthy has expressed confidence in Journalism’s ability to handle the challenges of the Kentucky Derby and, speaking after the Santa Anita win, said that things were all good and: “I thought he showed a lot of poise being down inside.
“He had to kind of bide his time and wait for a seam to get through. As I said, he is amenable to whatever [jockey] Umberto asks of him.”
Jockey Umberto Rispoli
Journalism will likely be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, an Italian jockey who has built an impressive international resume. Rispoli began his career in Italy before moving on to success in France, Hong Kong, and eventually Southern California.
Since 2022, Rispoli has earned over $21 million in purses and won 297 races, and has won five Group 1 races since 2021.
Rispoli’s skill was evident in Journalism’s Santa Anita Derby win, where he expertly guided Journalism through traffic and timed his move perfectly, an experience which will be crucial at Churchill Downs.
Rivals to Watch
While Journalism enters the Kentucky Derby as the favourite, he faces formidable competition from several standout horses:
Luxor Cafe
Luxor Cafe, from trainer Noriyuki Hori, is a Japanese-based colt with impressive wins on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, including dominant performances in the Hyacinth Stakes and, more recently, in the Fukuryu Stakes.
Sired by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Luxor Cafe boasts American bloodlines, but questions remain about whether he can replicate that success over Churchill Downs’ dirt surface.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is trained by William Mott and has demonstrated exceptional closing speed with wins in races like the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
Though sired by Into Mischief, a stallion known for producing sprinters, Sovereignty appears to have inherited enough stamina from his dam Empire Maker to handle longer distances. His ability to finish strong makes him a dangerous rival.
Tappan Street
From trainer Brad H. Cox comes Tappan Street, fresh off a victory in the Curlin Florida Derby (G1), where he displayed excellent tactical speed and stamina. Also sired by Into Mischief, he is another serious contender with proven Grade 1 credentials.
Why Journalism Might Steal the Show
Journalism isn’t just a good byline; he’s a proper racehorse. He’s already knocked off big names like Citizen Bull (last year’s 2-year-old champ) and Rodriguez (who went on to win the Wood Memorial), showing he can mix it with the best.
He’s got stamina in his blood too, which bodes well for the mile-and-a-quarter test at Churchill Downs.
But here’s the catch – he’s never been in a Derby-sized stampede. Trainer Michael McCarthy admits that weaving through 20 horses is a whole different challenge compared to the smaller, more polite packs at Santa Anita.
And while Journalism handles a bit of race-day drama well, too much chaos could leave him buried in the back pages.
Can He Win?
Journalism enters the Kentucky Derby as a deserving favourite thanks to his impeccable record, elite connections, and ability to overcome challenges on track. However, victory is far from guaranteed given the strength of this year’s field.
Rivals like Luxor Cafe bring international flair; Sovereignty offers closing speed; and Tappan Street combines tactical versatility with proven stamina.
With Michael McCarthy’s expertise and Umberto Rispoli’s skillful riding, Journalism has every chance to shine on racing’s biggest stage, but he’ll need everything to go right on May 3, 2025, if he hopes to cross the finish line first at Churchill Downs.
