Bill Mott had a few races on his bucket list. One of them was the Met Mile, which he won with Cody’s Wish last month. Following the victory, hopes were high for the G1 Travers Stakes, and thankfully, Sovereignty did not disappoint. With the Breeders’ Cup fast approaching, it was a major statement by the Bill Mott-trained horse. However, a counter-statement could be on the books, as Michael McCarthy’s Journalism is getting ready to show off his own mettle at the Pacific Classic next Saturday.

The $1million Grade 1 race will take place at Del Mar and is set to host some of the country’s top racing talents this year. For a long time, Journalism’s participation in the prestigious event was under heavy speculation, as the horse’s connections continued to note that they would make the decision based on the colt’s physical condition. But now, finally, it seems like the Preakness Stakes winner’s next move has been revealed.

The official Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners‘ (the owners of Journalism) X handle shared an update on the scintillating horse via a post on August 24. “The Journalism has emerged from yesterday’s workout in exceptional shape & seems to be looking for a fight,” the social media update notes how the 3-year-old son of Curlin looked assuring after breezing five furlongs in 1:00 aboard rider Umberto Rispoli. And with that, the news to bring smiles to the fans’ faces was revealed.

“He’s all set & been given the green light for the G1, $1 million Pacific Classic @DelMarRacing,” the Eclipse Thoroughbred group disclosed further. This will be the first time that the Preakness Stakes and Haskell Stakes winner goes head-to-head with older horses, including Repole Stable’s Fierceness, one of the East Coast’s most successful older stars.

For the longest time, speculations about the three-year-old’s next racing destination were split between the Pennsylvania Derby and the Pacific Classic. However, his connections decided against extensive travel. “Putting Journalism on a plane again just wasn’t attractive to us. We’d rather keep him home and have a little bit funkier spacing for the Breeders’ Cup than put him on a plane again,” said Aaron Wellman, one of Thoroughbred’s partners, on the decision to race Journalism at the Pacific Classic.

“He was well within himself, had his company over a barrel every step of the way, ran through the wire beautifully and then galloped out with the bounding strides that we’re used to seeing out of him,” Wellman stated further on how Journalism looked comfortable during the Saturday workout. However, though, while the colt is making his owners confident, the upcoming race will be a tough test for the Santa Anita Derby winner, nonetheless.

Journalism will have his work cut out for him

The 2025 Pacific Classic will bring ample competition for Journalism. Among the most notable horses would be Nysos. Son of the 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, Nysos comes off a massive win at the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap. Baffert, who has finally ended his 2025 losing streak with recent races, will also enter the Pacific Classic with Mirahmadi (second-place finisher at the San Diego Handicap), son of Into Mischief.

Moreover, Fierceness, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup runner-up and trained by the stalwart Todd Pletcher, will also enter the fold at Del Mar next weekend. The 4-year-old finished fifth at the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes earlier this month, but Pletcher remains hopeful. “I think the way he’s been training, it gives the impression he’s sitting on a good one now,” the trainer said.

But despite the competition flexing their muscles, Wellman believes that Journalism has enough steam under his hood as well. Talking about Fierceness and Nysos, the Preakness Stakes-winning trainer said, “We have a lot of respect for those two individuals. But Journalism is an imposing physical specimen and we think he’s ready to take on older horses.”

How do you think Wellman’s confidence will pay off come Saturday? Share your predictions for Journalism in a comment!