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Journalism vs. Sovereignty: The Rivalry That Could Save Horse Racing
- Updated: July 20, 2025
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On a sun-drenched Saturday in July 2025, over 41,000 fans packed Monmouth Park on the Jersey Shore, their cheers reverberating as Journalism surged down the stretch to claim the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes. The electric atmosphere, the thunder of hooves, and the collective roar of the crowd harkened back to the glory days of horse racing, when tracks across America swelled with spectators eager to witness equine legends in their prime. This scene, vibrant and alive, evokes memories of a time when the Sport of Kings reigned supreme, while also offering a hopeful glimpse into its future, with Journalism and Sovereignty poised to reignite the sport through their thrilling rivalry at the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The Golden Era of Racing’s Crowds
In the mid-20th century, horse racing was America’s pastime, rivaling baseball for the nation’s heart. Tracks like Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, and Santa Anita were cathedrals of sport, drawing tens of thousands to watch legends like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed. In 1973, Secretariat’s Belmont Stakes victory, with a jaw-dropping 31-length margin, captivated 67,605 fans on-site and millions more on television. The 1978 Triple Crown duel between Affirmed and Alydar packed grandstands, with crowds at Churchill Downs topping 130,000 for the Kentucky Derby. These weren’t just races; they were cultural events, where families, gamblers, and casual fans alike gathered to witness equine greatness.
The allure was undeniable: the pageantry of the jockeys’ silks, the anticipation of the starting gate, and the raw power of thoroughbreds charging toward the wire. Racetracks were social hubs, where city dwellers and rural visitors mingled, united by the spectacle. The economic ripple was immense—tracks employed thousands, from grooms to concession workers, while local businesses thrived on race-day crowds. Off-track betting parlors and media coverage amplified the sport’s reach, funneling revenue into state coffers and breeding farms.
A Sport in Decline
Yet, the Sport of Kings has waned. By the early 21st century, attendance dwindled as competing entertainment—casinos, sports betting, and digital distractions—siphoned away fans. Animal welfare concerns, highlighted by high-profile incidents like the 2019 deaths at Santa Anita, fueled public skepticism. The New Yorker reported that year’s Breeders’ Cup as a “critical test” for racing’s survival, with 68,000 attendees overshadowed by protests and calls for reform. The industry faced an existential crisis: could it justify itself in a world increasingly sensitive to animal rights?
Economic pressures compounded the issue. A 1977 New York Times article lamented how greed—through overbreeding, medication overuse, and early retirements of star horses—eroded the sport’s integrity. Year-round racing and off-track betting stretched resources thin, reducing the quality of races and horses. The result? Fewer marquee matchups and smaller crowds. By 2025, tracks like Pimlico face demolition or costly rebuilds, with a $14.3 million contract approved to modernize the Preakness’s home.
Journalism and Sovereignty: A Rivalry to Revive the Sport
Enter Journalism and Sovereignty, two colts whose 2025 Triple Crown battles have rekindled the magic of racing’s heyday. Journalism, the Preakness and Haskell victor, and Sovereignty, conqueror of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, are the sport’s brightest stars. Their rivalry—Sovereignty leading 2-1 after besting Journalism in the Derby and Belmont—echoes the epic duels of Sunday Silence and Easy Goer in 1989.
Journalism, a son of Curlin purchased for $825,000, embodies resilience. His Preakness win, charging through a narrow gap to overtake Gosger, was a spectacle of courage, reminiscent of Afleet Alex’s near-fall recovery in 2005. Sovereignty, sired by Into Mischief and owned by Godolphin, is the deep closer, surging past Journalism in the Derby’s sloppy stretch and again at Saratoga’s Belmont. Their contrasting styles—Journalism’s tactical grit versus Sovereignty’s late-running power—promise a blockbuster showdown at the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 1, 2025, at Del Mar.
The Haskell’s 41,000-strong crowd signals a hunger for such rivalries. Fans crave narratives that transcend the track, and this East-West clash—Journalism from Southern California, Sovereignty from Godolphin’s Eastern base—delivers. Their rematch could mirror the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Classic, where Sunday Silence edged Easy Goer, cementing a legacy. A Journalism-Sovereignty duel could draw similar crowds, with Del Mar’s 2024 Classic already proving the venue’s appeal, hosting Sierra Leone’s upset over older horses.
Economic and Cultural Implications
This rivalry’s economic impact is significant. The Haskell, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier, secures Journalism’s spot in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race that drew a $117 million betting handle in 2019. Major races boost local economies—hotels, restaurants, and tourism flourish, as seen with Monmouth’s Haskell day. A competitive Classic could spur betting revenue, supporting tracks and breeders. Journalism’s $3.2 million in earnings and Sovereignty’s Godolphin-backed pedigree highlight the sport’s high-stakes breeding industry, where yearlings fetch millions.
Culturally, these horses are ambassadors for a sport fighting to stay relevant. Their rivalry counters the narrative of a “dying” sport, as USA Today noted after the Preakness failed to capitalize on their Derby clash. A thrilling Classic could draw new fans, especially if marketed as a generational showdown. However, challenges persist: animal welfare concerns demand transparency, and tracks must modernize to attract younger audiences. The 2027 Breeders’ Cup at a revamped Belmont Park signals investment in the sport’s future.
Looking Ahead to the Breeders’ Cup Classic
As November approaches, the question looms: where will Journalism race next? Trainer Michael McCarthy may opt for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, a prep against older horses, or the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, risking another Sovereignty clash. Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, is the +400 favorite, with Journalism close behind. The Classic’s 1¼-mile distance suits both, but Sovereignty’s rest advantage—he skipped the Preakness—may test Journalism’s stamina after a grueling Triple Crown.
Their clash could redefine the 3-year-old division and vie for Horse of the Year honors, as Aron Wellman, Journalism’s lead owner, dreams of an Eclipse Award. For fans, it’s a chance to relive racing’s golden age, when rivalries packed grandstands and stories of equine heroes captivated the nation. Whether Journalism turns the tables or Sovereignty solidifies his dominance, their battle will echo the Sport of Kings’ enduring allure.
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