Journalism’s Thrilling Preakness Victory Marred by Controversy
- Updated: May 24, 2025
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The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes on May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course delivered a finish for the ages, with Journalism, ridden by Umberto Rispoli and trained by Michael McCarthy, surging to a half-length victory over longshot Gosger. The colt, a son of 2007 Preakness winner Curlin, cemented his status as a top three-year-old with a remarkable come-from-behind effort. However, the race sparked heated debate within the horse racing community due to a contentious incident in the stretch that led to a stewards’ inquiry but no disqualification, leaving some questioning the decision and its implications.
Journalism, the even-money favorite, entered the Preakness off a strong second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby two weeks prior. Despite trailing by five lengths at the top of the stretch, Rispoli navigated the colt through a narrow gap between Goal Oriented, ridden by Flavien Prat, and Clever Again, ridden by José Ortiz, along the rail. The move resulted in significant contact, with Goal Oriented veering inward and bumping Journalism, which in turn caused Journalism to lean into Clever Again. The latter, trained by Steve Asmussen, was roughed up and eased to finish last in the nine-horse field, sustaining cuts on his legs. A stewards’ inquiry followed, but after reviewing footage and interviewing Rispoli and Prat, the Maryland stewards—Adam Campola, Ross Pearce, and Russell Derderian—unanimously decided against sanctions or disqualification, preserving Journalism’s victory in a time of 1:55.47 for the 1 3/16-mile race.
The incident drew sharp criticism from Asmussen, a Hall of Fame trainer, who expressed concern over the physical and mental toll on Clever Again. In an interview on At the Races with Steve Byk, Asmussen remarked that Rispoli rode Journalism “like a rented mule,” suggesting recklessness in the maneuver. He voiced frustration over what he perceives as inconsistent stewarding, arguing that such aggressive riding in major races risks dangerous outcomes. Asmussen noted that while Clever Again appeared physically sound post-race, the colt’s mental recovery for future competitions remains uncertain, given the intensity of the incident.
Rispoli defended his ride, emphasizing the split-second decisions required at high speeds. In comments to Thoroughbred Daily News, he explained that Journalism had “dropped the bit” around the half-mile pole, prompting him to seek a ground-saving path along the rail. Rispoli maintained that a gap existed when he committed to the move, stating, “I’m not a kamikaze rider. I have a wife and two kids and I didn’t want to kill myself or see anyone get killed.” He acknowledged the contact but argued it was a natural part of racing, noting, “Fortunately, nobody went down.” Trainer McCarthy praised Rispoli’s tactical choice to save ground, adding, “Thankful that he and the horse came out of it unscathed. That’s the most important thing, win, lose or draw.”
The stewards’ decision not to disqualify Journalism sparked varied reactions. Retired chief steward Bernie Hettel, who officiated races for over 40 years, told Horse Racing Nation that he would have disqualified Journalism, arguing that Rispoli forced his way through a non-existent gap, endangering other horses. Hettel pointed to the Equibase chart, which noted Goal Oriented’s inward movement and Clever Again being “roughed up” at the three-sixteenths pole. Conversely, others, including some analysts, attributed the incident to Goal Oriented’s inward drift, with Prat reacting to Journalism’s bold move. The lack of consensus underscores the complexity of the moment, with steward Adam Campola describing it as a “mess” where “circumstances all came together.”
The controversy has reignited discussions about stewarding consistency and rider safety in high-stakes races. Asmussen highlighted similar incidents in recent Triple Crown events, including the 2024 Kentucky Derby, where no action was taken despite contact between horses. He argued that the sport’s regulatory bodies, including the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, need to address aggressive riding more decisively to prevent potential catastrophes.
Journalism’s victory, his fifth in seven career starts, boosted his earnings to $2,838,880 and set the stage for a potential Belmont Stakes showdown with Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, who skipped the Preakness. The colt’s resilience and Rispoli’s historic win as the first Italian jockey to claim a Triple Crown race were celebrated, but the bumping incident and its fallout remain a focal point. As Pimlico prepares for its final races before a planned demolition and rebuild, the 2025 Preakness will be remembered as much for its thrilling finish as for the debate over what constitutes fair racing.
Sources:
- Thoroughbred Daily News
- Bloodhorse
- Horse Racing Nation
