Journalism Jogs In Preparation For Saturday’s Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes
At 7h51, on July 17, 2025 • By Monmouth Park
Journalism was out on the Monmouth Park racing strip first thing Wednesday morning and gave every indication that he is the deserving 4-5 morning line for the Saturday’s 58th running of the $1 million, Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes.
The Michael McCarthy-trainee and dual Grade 1 winner, who arrived on Tuesday evening after an uneventful transcontinental flight from his Southern California base, turned heads and elicited admiration as he jogged one mile around the oval under regular exercise rider Marc Witkowski.
“I’ve been galloping horses my whole life. I’ve been on Grade 1 winners. He is the best I’ve ever been on, by far,” said Witkowski, who has partnered in the mornings with Journalism since the colt first came into the barn as a 2-year-old.
What makes Journalism extraordinary?
“He’s a strong horse and he’s really smart,” said Witkowski. “He’s a very intelligent horse and he just loves it out there. He’s very competitive. He kind of puffs himself up but at the same time he’s still calm and quiet.
“When he’s out there training and galloping, he loves doing it. He’s a beautiful mover. He just glides over the track. It feels like nothing but power under me and he moves the ground. I’m watching the poles and he gets around there so easy when I ask him to.
“Whenever I ask him for more he gives it to me. He has adapted to each track he’s run at really well. He is an awesome horse. Just awesome.”
