While trainer Michael McCarthy has yet to decide what’s next for Journalism following the colt’s thrilling, come-from-behind win in the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell on Saturday, Bob Baffert is definitive about the next step for Goal Oriented, who finished third by a neck behind Gosger.

“He’s going to the Travers,” the Hall of Fame conditioner said by phone from his base in Southern California. “We’ll get him home. He’s flying home on Tuesday and then back (to the East Coast) for the Travers (at Saratoga on Aug. 23).”

The half-length win by Journalism in the Haskell secured an automatic spot in the starting gate for the $7 million, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 1 through the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series.

His victory proved to be a popular one for the Haskell Day crowd of 41,876 – the largest attendance for the day since 2015. Journalism paid $2.80 to win in besting seven other 3-year-olds in Monmouth Park’s showcase event.

On Sunday morning the Haskell the connections of Journalism, who was bred by Don Alberto Stable and is co-owned by his breeder, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore connections of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, were still basking in the glow of victory.

“I’m just in awe of him in every respect. He’s a treasure,” said Aron Wellman, head of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who added that Journalism will share the plane ride back to Southern California with Goal Oriented.

Preakness Stakes winner Journalism was the only horse to compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown and he was the runner-up to Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty, whom Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott is pointing to the Grade 1 Travers.

When asked if there is a plan on how to bring Journalism up to the Breeders’ Cup, and if the Travers might be on his dance card, McCarthy said, “We’ve got a couple of scenarios to work out. We’re just going to enjoy this for now.”

The connections of Gosger, who has now finished second to Journalism in the Preakness and the Haskell, reported on Sunday morning that the Harvey A. Clarke homebred came out of the race in fine shape and would be departing the Jersey Shore by van in mid-afternoon for the trip home to trainer Brendan Walsh’s barn in Kentucky.

“We were let down but he ran a great race,” said assistant trainer Sean Dolan. “Journalism is obviously a very good horse. Hopefully, our horse will continue to improve, which he should do.”

The locally-stabled Wildncrazynight finished last in the field of eight yet Staton Flurry of Hot Springs, Arkansas, enjoyed his first Haskell experience nonetheless.

“It was a fun day. The crowd was great and it was amazing to see so many people here, and so many young people,” he said. “It had a little bit of a Kentucky Derby feel to it, and it was kind of like our Arkansas Derby. I hope all of the young people who were here become racing fans.

“That was one of the best finishes I have ever seen. The race was amazing.”

Flurry bought the New Jersey-bred Wildncrazynight privately and sent him to trainer Dan Ward.

“Hopefully, we can find a New Jersey-bred race for him next,” said Flurry. “That will be the ideal spot. He’s run as good as anybody in the state-bred races and he’s a nice horse. A very nice horse. We’ll look for an allowance or one of the state-bred stakes coming up and have some fun.

“He was a nice acquisition for us, and I thank Dan for sending him my way. I wouldn’t have him if it weren’t for Dan. He’s been a really good, solid horse for us.”

Flurry, who has 17 horses in training in the U.S. and another four in Ireland, also owns an auto racing team named Trifecta Motor Sports.

“I enjoy the horse racing more. It’s a lot of fun,” he said.

Ward had an enjoyable Haskell Day with his charge, Majestic Oops, running second to the Chad Brown-trained Randomized in the $500,000, Grade 3 Molly Pitcher on the undercard. She rated off the pace and finished three lengths behind the front-running winner in her first graded stakes attempt in her 30^th career start.

“It was a big performance. She ran a very good race. It was a good day,” said Ward, who was the assistant to Hall of Famers Bobby Frankel and Jerry Hollendorfer for four decades and saddled his first Haskell runner in his own name.

Story by Lynne Snierson

Monmouth Park Publicity Staff