Winning horse races at the highest level isn't supposed to be easy, but it shouldn't feel this brutal. A year ago, the brilliant three-year-old colt Journalism was on top of the racing world. He conquered the Preakness Stakes, captured the Santa Anita Derby, and gutted out a dramatic victory in the Haskell Stakes. He looked like a lock for future championship honors.
Then, the winning stopped.
Four consecutive losses have left fans wondering if the son of Curlin lost his killer instinct. On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Journalism returns to Del Mar for the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap. He’s the even-money morning line favorite for a reason. This isn't just another race on the calendar; it's a hand-crafted opportunity for Michael McCarthy's stable star to find the winner's circle again. If you're betting the Saturday card at the seaside oval, overlooking this heavy favorite because of a paper-thin "winless streak" is a massive mistake.
The Mirage of a Four Race Slump
Context is everything in Thoroughbred racing. If you only look at the past performances, an 0-for-4 record over the last twelve months looks alarming. Dig into the chart notes, though, and you'll see he hasn't been ducking anyone.
After his Haskell triumph, Journalism ran second to a brilliant Fierceness in the Pacific Classic. He backed that up with a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic. This year, as a four-year-old, his two starts resulted in third-place finishes behind absolute monsters like Sovereignty and White Abarrio in the Oaklawn Handicap and the Metropolitan Mile.
- Haskell Stakes (G1): 1st
- Pacific Classic (G1): 2nd
- Breeders' Cup Classic (G1): 4th
- Oaklawn Handicap (G2): 3rd
- Metropolitan Handicap (G1): 3rd
He is running elite speed figures against the absolute best dirt horses in training. He isn't declining. He's just been stuck in a cycle of ultra-competitive Grade 1 dogfights. Saturday's 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap represents a crucial class relief.
The Ultimate Turf to Dirt Experiment
Trainer Phil D'Amato is throwing an intriguing wildcard into the mix by entering Iron Man Cal. The four-year-old son of Collected missed winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf by a mere neck back in 2024 at this track. He's been running exclusively on grass, but D'Amato notes the colt works like a machine on the main track dirt in the mornings. Turf-to-dirt angles can offer massive payouts if a horse handles the surface switch, but relying on morning workouts over afternoon racing realities is a dangerous betting strategy against a proven dirt stallion like Journalism.
The Real Threat and the Weight Factor
If anyone is going to spoil the party, it's Full Serrano. The John Sadler trainee won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on this very track in 2024, demonstrating a clear affinity for the unique, often tiring Del Mar dirt surface.
However, Full Serrano has faced his own consistency issues, winning just a single allowance optional claiming race in five starts since that signature Breeders' Cup victory.
The handicap weights tell the true story of how racing officials view this field. Journalism is forced to carry the top weight of 125 pounds. Full Serrano gets a slight break at 122 pounds. Giving away weight to a Breeders' Cup champion is never ideal, but Journalism’s physical development over the winter makes him uniquely suited to handle the extra burden. According to McCarthy, the colt has filled out into a much larger, stronger physical specimen as a four-year-old. He has the raw power to shoulder 125 pounds and still display his trademark late kick.
The Reunited Connection
Perhaps the biggest factor favoring Journalism this weekend is the return of jockey Umberto Rispoli. Rispoli was the pilot for all of the colt’s major victories during his legendary three-year-old campaign.
Jose Ortiz took over the mount for the Breeders' Cup and the early 2026 starts, but reuniting with Rispoli feels like a deliberate move to recreate old magic. Rispoli knows exactly when to ask this horse for his run, which is critical because Journalism likes to stalk just off the pace before making a decisive move turning for home.
How to Play the San Diego Handicap
Don't overthink this race. Journalism is the class of the field, and his recent third-place finish in the Met Mile signals he is sitting on a peak performance.
Look for Rispoli to settle Journalism comfortably in third or fourth position early, letting longshots like Shea Brennan or potentially Iron Man Cal test the early fractions. Full Serrano will likely make his move on the far turn, but Journalism’s tactical superiority should allow him to get the first jump.
Bet Journalism straight on the nose if the odds stay at even money or better. For vertical exotics, key Journalism on top of an Exacta wheel with Full Serrano and Phil D'Amato's local specialist Shea Brennan, who loves the Del Mar surface and enters off a sharp comeback win.
The winless streak ends on Saturday. Watch the race live at 5:40 p.m. local time and witness a top-tier athlete get back to doing what he does best.
If you want to watch the horse in action ahead of the big race, check out this Journalism race preview showing the top older horse entering the gates at Del Mar.
