Journalism, top Oaks prospect meaning work for McCarthy
At 0h02, on February 24, 2026 • By Santa Anita Park
Journalism, winner of last year’s Preakness Stakes, GI Santa Anita Derby and GI Haskell, had his first official workout of the year Sunday at Santa Anita. Also working for trainer Michael McCarthy was Meaning, winner of the Las Virgenes for 3-year-old fillies on Feb. 8. Journalism worked three furlongs in 36.80 seconds.
“Nice and easy,” McCarthy said. “He got in a good rhythm and galloped out well. It’s kind of a maintenance pattern with him right now.”
Journalism has been off since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 1. McCarthy has said the GI Metropolitan Handicap in June at Saratoga is likely the first major target for Journalism this year.
Last year in addition to his trio of Grade I wins, Journalism also finished second in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. The son of Curlin enters his 4-year-old season with a record of 11: 6-3-1 and $4,348,880 in earnings for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable and partners.
Meaning worked for the first time since her 1 ½-length victory in the Las Virgenes going one-mile. She was officially clocked going four furlongs in 48.40 seconds, though McCarthy said he timed the drill in 49.20.
“I thought it was a nice maintenance move also,” McCarthy added.
The next stakes engagement for 3-year-old fillies on dirt at Santa Anita is the GIII Santa Ysabel going 1 1/16 miles on March 8. It is followed by the GII Santa Anita Oaks on April 4. “We’ll keep all of our options open, but we’d definitely like to make the Santa Anita Oaks,” McCarthy said.
Meaning is owned by Bridlewood Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Prior to the Las Virgenes, the daughter of Gun Runner finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 31 at Del Mar. The Juvenile Fillies was just her second start and first time racing around two turns.
