The premiere race of the Monmouth Park meet, the $1 million Haskell Stakes, will take place Saturday at the Oceanport, New Jersey race track. A field of eight has been assembled for the nine furlong, Grade: 1 contest, spearheaded by Preakness winner Journalism.

The absolutely gorgeous bay colt, whose dam passed away this past Tuesday due to a severe case of colic, (see Little Bets N’ Pieces below) has opened as the 4/5 morning line favorite and rightfully so. Here are the top four reason why this athletic, super talented son of Curlin will win his third Grade:1 race this year:

#5) Superior Speed Figures:

Journalism has recorded five straight triple digit Brisnet Speed Figures (104, 108, 102, 107 and 108). The rest of the field combined has four.

#4) He’s Been Working Lights Out

Journalism has recorded three published work-outs since finishing second to Sovereignty (again) in the Belmont Stakes on June 7th. All three works were eye catching quick, including a bullet (fastest work of the day) on July 12th, going a stamina building, six furlongs in 1:12 flat. That work clearly signals readiness.

#3) He Has Already Beaten His Main Competition In This Race:

On paper, only three horses appear to pose a serious threat to Journalism and he has already beaten all three of those colts soundly and all within the last three months. In the Preakness, he looked hopelessly beaten when, after encountering serious traffic issues at the top of the stretch, Goscar opened up a five length lead in mid stretch, yet Journalism would not be denied. He lowered himself, sprinted home and somehow ran down Goscar to win and the margin wasn’t that close.

The mega talented Goal Oriented, a $435,000 son of elite sire Not This Time, really had no excuses as he too was in front of Journalism as the field straighten away for the stretch drive. When the real running began, Journalism went right on by this colt. Last but least is the stretch running, gelding Burnham Square, who finished eight to nine lengths behind Journalism in the Kentucky Derby.

#2) Guts and Determination:

See Reason #2….as I stated already, Journalism, who was squeezed and bounce around like a pinball at the top of the stretch in the Preakness, and again looked hopelessly beaten, simply would not be denied. He saw Goscar well out in front of him that day and yet never gave up the chase. He kept trying and kept trying and kept running and kept running and just willed himself to the win. If there is a colt in America who has more guts and determination that this horse? Please ….point him out to me.

#1) Sovereignty Is Not Running

After finishing a no excuse second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism, once again, ran second to Sovereignty in the Belmont Stakes, again, with no excuse. Therefore, logically, we can say that Sovereignty is the clear male three year old division leader and Journalism is second best. Moreover, Journalism has won five of seven races this year with his only two defeats coming to…you guessed it….Sovereignty. With Sovereignty, a super talent in his own right, committed to the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on July 26th, who is left?

Little Bets N’ Pieces

**** Owner Don Alberto Corp. confirmed Mopotism, the dam of Preakness winner Journalism, died after complications from colic at age 11.

Mopotism, by Uncle Mo, had a career record of 26-3-5-6 and $876,090 in earnings, with her biggest win coming in the Grade: 2 La Cañada Stakes in 2018.

Journalism, by Curlin, was her first foal. Her second foal, 2-year-old named Nitro Tap, by Tapit, sold for $1.5 million as a yearling. She also foaled a yearling daughter of super sire Into Mischief and a 2-month old filly.

******** Matt Winn Stakes winner East Avenue will not only skip the Haskell this weekend, but probably the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens, a seven-furlong race on Aug. 23 at Saratoga as well.

Trainer Brendan Walsh on Wednesday called the Jerkens “doubtful” and said there is no current plan for his very handsome colt.

“We felt he needed a little bit of a backing off because he had a very busy spring,” Walsh said. “All plans on hold to be honest. We got a couple of works in him recently, we haven’t decided where we’re going to go next, but I doubt we’re going to go to the Allen Jerkens.”

Walsh said the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 20 at Parx Racing is possible with a prep in between. Perhaps the $300,000 Ellis Park Derby on August 10th could be that prep or Parx has the $200,000 Smarty Jones at 1 1/16 miles on August 19th.