May 17 (UPI) — Journalism, second in the Kentucky Derby, got home first in the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown, at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday — but only after surviving a scary scrum at the top of the stretch.
With Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty sitting out the Preakness, there was no chance of a Triple Crown sweep. But the victory nonetheless boosted Journalism to the top rank of the 3-year-old competition.
As the horses turned for home, Gosger emerged with the lead after pressing the early pace. Behind him was a wall of horses and behind them was Journalism.
Journalism’s jockey, Umberto Rispoli, searched for a way through, finally found a narrow opening and Journalism took it. As the field adjusted to that, several of them came together in a bumping match that, after the race, prompted a stewards’ inquiry.
After straightening out, it appeared Journalism had no chance of catching Gosger, who was unaffected by the traffic. With a striking turn of foot, he quickly cut into the margin and won by about 1/2 length.
“A lot of bouncing around there at the 3/16th pole. I guess when I saw that, I resigned myself to the fact that it was another fantastic effort, maybe came up a little bit short,” winning trainer Michael McCarthy said.
Gosger held second, with Sandman third, Goal Oriented fourth and British invader Heart of Honor fourth. After reviewing the roughhousing, the stewards quickly ruled the race official with no change.
