Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Journalism

Sometimes it’s possible to glance at the pedigree of a potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contender and conclude with certainty they’re bred to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May.

Such is the case with Journalism. The bay colt impressed in his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut, pulling away to win the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) by 3 1/2 lengths. The Los Alamitos Futurity has produced six Kentucky Derby winners since its inaugural running as the Hollywood Futurity in 1981, and Journalism could well become the seventh.

Journalism is a son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, whose Triple Crown exploits include a win in the Preakness (G1), a second in the Belmont (G1), and a third in the Kentucky Derby. Curlin relished classic distances and won five times over 1 1/4 miles, most notably in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1).

Curlin has since developed into a stellar sire of long-winded dirt racers. His best foals include Belmont winner Palace Malice; Preakness winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Exaggerator; Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Good Magic; Breeders’ Cup Classic conqueror Vino Rosso; Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) heroines Malathaat and Idiomatic; multiple Grade 1 winners Stellar Wind, Nest, Curalina, and Clairiere; and the classic-placed runners Keen Ice, Tenfold, Irish War Cry, and Ride On Curlin.

Once in a while, Curlin sires speedier types like Horse of the Year and two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Cody’s Wish and two-time champion male sprinter Elite Power. But the vast majority of Curlin’s best runners excel in route races, and they’ve compiled a lofty average winning distance of 7.6 furlongs.

Having Curlin as his sire is reason enough to respect Journalism as a Kentucky Derby contender. Yet the dam’s side of his pedigree adds further layers of classic potential.

Journalism was produced by Mopotism, a durable mare who raced 26 times over the course of four seasons. While she won only three races, most notably the one-mile La Canada (G2), she finished second or third 10 times at the graded stakes level, including in four Grade 1 races over distances from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles.

Mopotism, in turn, is a daughter of Uncle Mo out of the Bernardini mare Peppy Rafaela. There are a lot of positives to unpack here, so let’s take it one horse at a time.

Uncle Mo achieved renown as the champion two-year-old male of 2010 after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Champagne (G1). On track, he excelled as a miler. But at stud, he’s a source of classic stamina, with his progeny winning at an average distance of 7.5 furlongs. The best of them include Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Belmont hero Mo Donegal, plus a bevy of Grade 1 winners racing 1 1/16 miles or farther.

Just as importantly, Uncle Mo is developing into a successful broodmare sire. Aside from Journalism, his daughters have produced Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Thorpedo Anna, Arkansas Derby (G1) and American Pharoah (G1) winner Muth, and two-time Champions Cup (G1) runner-up Wilson Tesoro.

As for Peppy Rafaela, she wasn’t much of a racehorse, failing to finish better than fourth in a trio of starts. But her record as a broodmare is significantly better. In addition to Mopotism, she has foaled Nabokov (a son of Uncle Mo who won four times over distances as far as 1 1/16 miles), Ruth (a daughter of Uncle Mo who broke her maiden racing one mile), and Humor Controller (a son of Distorted Humor who won three times racing one mile).

The fact all four of Peppy Rafaela’s winning foals have prevailed racing one mile or farther isn’t surprising since she’s a daughter of Bernardini, the champion three-year-old male of 2006. Winner of the Preakness, Travers (G1), and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), Bernardini excelled over classic distances and is the sire of Travers winners Stay Thirsty and Alpha. His progeny win at an average distance of 7.5 furlongs.

The cross of Curlin with Mopotism creates a pedigree perfectly suited for success in the spring classics. Whether it’s the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, or even the Belmont, Journalism is cut out to shine in the Triple Crown.