Journalism, bred from the sire Curlin and the dam Mopitism by the Don Alberto Corporation and trained by Michael W. McCarthy, is favored by nearly three-quarters of the handicappers going into tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby. When Journalism moves onto the track at Churchill Downs, he will be at the end of a four-win streak or on the verge of a five-win streak. Arguably the finest colt in the race, his strongest competitors on paper are Citizen Bull, trained by Bob Baffert, and Sandman, a product of a consortium that includes D.J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables trained by Mark Casse.
Sandman, starting from the 17th position and with pre-race day odds of 6-to-1, is a slow starter but a strong closer, giving him and his Jockey, Jose Ortiz, a realistic shot at the crown if Ortiz can stay within three to four horses of the lead with a clear open lane coming up on the clubhouse turn.
Baffert’s Citizen Bull, drew the rail, the worst starting position, meaning the man atop him, Jockey Martin Garcia, will need to start like lightning and maneuver outward without interference to get his mount out of a situation in which he is breathing in way too much dust throughout the speed contest. If Garcia can accomplish that Herculean task, the pre-race day odds of 20-to-1 become meaningless and this horse, in the Sentinel’s view, becomes the horse to beat.
Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, at 5-to-1 odds, has garnered some talk as has Luxor Cafe, at 15-1.
With Umberto Rispoli aboard, Journalism, starting in the 8th position, remains the favorite, with pre-race day odds of 3-to-1.