JOCKEY PRAT NO STRANGER TO BEING SUSPENDED YET WASN'T AT PREAKNESS. WHY?

 It would have been near-impossible for yesterday’s Belmont Stakes to upstage the Preakness, second leg of the Triple Crown, for multi-pronged drama. There was so much, in fact, that Journalism’s amazing one-of-a-kind miraculous come-from-behind victory probably will stand as THE race of 2025. How do you top that one?

Sovereignty didn’t even try. Instead, the well-rested son 

of Into Mischief, having edged favored Journalism in the 

May 3d Kentucky Derby, did it again, taking advantage of 

a five-week layoff to finish by more than two lengths in 

what should have been the most predictable outcome of 

this – or any – year. 

Held at Saratoga in upstate New York, while Belmont 

Race Track is undergoing much needed renovation and 

repair, this one was run with the background of growing 

concern the Triple Crown is no longer relevant. Most 

trainers, like Sovereignty’s BILL MOTT, have become 

reluctant to put their quality horses in a starting gate with 

only two weeks from one start to the next.

Mott held Sovereignty out of the Preakness … while

 MICHAEL McCARTHY kept Journalism in all three 

races – starting with a near-miss followed by a stirring 

win -- which is undoubtedly why he was a slight betting 

choice (7/5) to Sovereignty’s 2/1 on Saturday’s morning 

line.

In what was an uncommonly tame affair, especially in 

comparison to the May 17 Preakness, Journalism made 

the first move to runaway with first prize of $1.2 million 

… but was quickly overtaken and passed by Sovereignty.

Heck, even FLAVIEN PRAT, aboard  BAEZA, stayed 

out of trouble, bringing the No. 3 favorite (3/1) home 

third in the watered-down eight-horse field.

Prat rode a very fine line three weeks ago and, for reasons 

that surely must mystify some observers, somehow 

avoided suspension … despite coming that close to 

causing a multi-horse accident that would have eliminated 

favored Journalism – or, potentially, worse.

No stranger to being suspended for overly-aggressive 

riding, Prat, 32, appeared to turn BOB BAFFERT-

trained Goal Oriented into Journalism, which was trying 

to squeeze by tiring Clever Again(on the rail) and Goal 

Oriented as they moved into the home stretch.

For a brief, scary moment, Journalism’s legs wobbled and 

looked like he was going down. “I got in trouble … and 

he make himself keep going,” said jockey UMBERTO 

RISPOLI after Journalism recovered to overcome

 Gosger’s monster lead and win by a half-length.

In the aftermath of Journalism’s remarkable comeback, 

the stewards briefly considered an inquiry into the near-

disaster. But, we’re told, because none of the contestants 

asked for an official review, there was no reason to 

sanction Prat … who has been suspended four times for a 

total of 16 days for careless riding since 2021. That 

included seven days in 2023 for a mishap at Monmouth 

Park when his horse veered left, went down and had to be 

euthanized.

At this year’s Preakness, we didn’t get to hear from Prat 

on NBC which was too busy covering the awards 

ceremony … where one of Journalism’s many owners 

said, “It was pretty nasty out there for a second.” … and 

let it go at that.

McCarthy reportedly wasn’t happy, given how close he 

came to losing Journalism to injury, but, as usual, he 

didn’t let on in public. Check him out some time. Even 

when he wins, McCarthy remains expressionless. Your 

pet rock shows more emotion.

Never at a loss for words, Bafffert would only say 

Journalism “is a remarkable horse … I wanted us on the 

lead [but] Goal Oriented was intimidated. He’s never run 

like that before.”

In fact, the only trainer to express discontent over what 

happened was veteran STEVE ASMUSSEN whose entry 

was Clever Again – and didn’t’ perform as expected. “He 

should quit riding that horse like a rented mule,” 

Asmussen said … about Journalism’s Rispoli… whose 

strategy was questioned by more than one “expert.”

The general thinking was, he should have taken 

Journalism wide, to the outside, where there was more 

room, rather than go inside … and barely get by Clever 

Again and Goal Oriented. “Journalism showed 

insurmountable courage, squeezing through,” said Hall of 

Fame jockey JERRY BAILEY on NBC. “I still wonder 

why he didn’t go down. His legs appeared to give way 

momentarily.”

“If he hadn’t won … if he had been beaten narrowly at the 

end, imagine all the second-guessing,” said NBC’s

 RANDY MOSS.

“Racing Biz” owner/publisher FRANK VESPE , put it 

best: “That was quite a scary moment. If someone goes 

down, we’re having a different conversation.”

Until next time ...