The Story Isn’t Over: Journalism Looks to Rewrite the Narrative in the Breeders’ Cup Classic

The coveted Breeders Cup Classic, where all of North America’s best horses take on a mile and a quarter of glistening first at Del Mar, and the field did not disappoint. In the disappointing absence of Godolphin’s triple crown winning Sovereignty, it is last year's runner up, the quirky Fierceness who heads the market, but one horse in particular has been slightly written off, but he shouldn't be.

Over this season in the United States, Journalism has been Sovereignty’s biggest competitor, and despite not being able to get the better of Junior Alvarado on a number of occasions over the last couple of months, the jockey change putting Jose Ortiz in the saddle may be of massive advantage for Michael McCarthy’s horse.

Having finished second to Fierceness at Del Mar back in August, a textbook Umberto Rispoli ride saw Journalism just fall short to Fierceness after being held up by a long way off the start, and being held with a better pace may have made that race a lot closer. Over the course of his career, it has been obvious that Journalism is a horse who loves picking off horses around the bend and darts home under Rispoli, but following his last outing at Del Mar, McCarthy and connections may have made a massive decision to change the tactics.

With Sovereignty being scratched, Journalism has all the form to suggest he is by far one of the best horses in the field. Against the likes of Sierra Leone, last year's classic winner, and Fierceness who is far and wide the quickest horse in the straight, Journalism has his own quirks, and loves a late streak home at the final turn for home.

As well as he has been ridden from the back, it has proved to be an unrefined method for Umberto Rispoli, and the very interesting switch so close to the classic means a lot more than you think. Given that Fierceness is drawn one on his favoured track, John Velasquez has the key to the race in his hands, but if Journalism applies some pressure and unsettles him, Fierceness’ quirky habits may cause him to lose a second classic in a row, and Journalism may play a completely different game on Saturday night.

Given how unlucky, but so good he has shown himself to be this year, at a current market price of 6/1, he is definitely one of the best value prices in the field. The opponents are very worthy, and it won't be an easy race to win, but if Journalism and HJose Ortiz can get it all right, he could just prove to win it when it means the most.