July 17, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Front Page News
Journalism has been a headline maker during a remarkable 2025 campaign that’s seen the 3-year-old colt collect north of $3 million across five starts.
On Saturday, the Preakness (G1) champion and Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1) runner up eyes his third career Grade 1 title in Saturday’s $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park.
Fresh off a three-length defeat in the Belmont, Journalism finds himself in a prime bounce back position as the clear 4-5 opening line favorite.
Despite the pair of Triple Crown defeats, the Michael McCarthy trainee has proven well worth his $825,000 price tag and remains a force in the 3-year-old division.
Déjà Vu
No need to worry if you missed last year’s $600,000 United Nations (G2T) – the top three finishers are all back for Saturday’s renewal at Monmouth Park.
Led by reigning champion Get Smokin, the trio includes runner-up Grand Sonata and third-place finisher Tawny Port.
At this time last year, nobody from this group was expected to compete for the top spot, as they closed at 9-1, 23-1, and 8-1, respectively.
The same goes for this year, despite the stellar showing, as Grand Sonata (6-1), Get Smokin (8-1), and Tawny Port (20-1) are underdogs once again.
History does enjoy repeating itself…
Grade 1 Goliaths
Outside of a difficult ninth in May’s Kentucky Oaks (G2), La Cara’s sophomore campaign has been nothing short of spectacular.
Sporting wins in the Suncoast Stakes, Ashland (G1), and most recently, the Acorn (G1), La Cara’s quest for a third Grade 1 triumph comes this Saturday in the $500,000 American Oaks Invitational (G1).
Back at Saratoga for the second time in as many starts, the Mark Casse charge will aim to emulate the stellar Acorn effort that saw her lead gate-to-wire to land three lengths clear at 7-1.
The recent run of success has caught the attention of oddsmakers, who are listing La Cara as the 2-1 second choice behind clubhouse leader, and three-time Grade 1 winner Immersive.
Change of Scenery
Moving from Ireland to California was exactly the spark Jungle Peace (IRE) needed to jump start her career.
After making two starts in her country-of-origin last year – finishes of sixth and third – Jungle Peace has looked like a different horse in The Golden State, rattling off three wins from four starts, including the Grade 3 Senorita.
Now, following her first defeat on U.S. soil (third in the Grade 3 Honeymoon), the Phil D’Amato trainee looks to get back on track in Saturday’s $200,000 San Clemente Handicap (G2).
Competing at the Grade 2 level for the first time, Jungle Peace, at 8-1, faces a strong contingent of opponents highlighted by 8-5 choice and 2024 Surfer Girl (G3) winner, Thought Process.
Into Gear
Shifty’s quest for her first stakes title since the Catch A Glimpse – her second career start – continues this Sunday in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.
Locked into battle against 11 of the top Canadian-foaled 3-year-old fillies, Shifty will try to maneuver her way back to the winner’s circle with a performance reminiscent of her maiden stakes conquest.
Last August, the Sahvin Civaci mount took control early and held firm as her lead ballooned to a final figure of 3 ¼ lengths.
Most recently off a third in the Fury Stakes on June 7, also at Woodbine, Shifty enters as a strong contender on Sunday.