“Wild drama!” wheezed horse racing analyst Kevin Blake after Journalism shifted gears in the final eighth of a mile at the Pimlico Racecourse to win the 150th Preakness Stakes in May. The thrill was shared by every horse racing connoisseur in the world. The Michael McCarthy-trained colt recovered from a bump at the three-sixteenths pole with Sandman and Goal Oriented and collared Gosger to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Obviously, the horse’s connections couldn’t stop lauding jockey Umberto Rispoli for a job done well.

McCarthy was all praises, too. “Hats off to Umberto and Journalism for persevering,” he said after finding himself in the winner’s circle. The Italian jockey’s perseverance kept shining on as the season rolled on. A second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, and a victory at the Haskell Stakes further proved that Rispoli and Journalism’s collaboration was meant to be. Naturally, fans were waiting with bated breath to see what the duo would come up with at the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But while Journalism will be heading to the November 1 race, it seems like he won’t have his regular rider aboard at Del Mar.

A post by FanDual Racing on X from October 17 shared an update on who will saddle Journalism at the season’s ultimate horse racing spectacle. “JOURNALISM will be ridden by @jose93_ortiz in the @BreedersCup Classic,” the post reveals. The Puerto Rican will replace Rispoli for next month’s race, as Aron Wellman, the managing director of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, co-owner of Journalism, confirmed the news on Friday.

However, Christina Blacker also mentioned that Journalism’s owners were all praises for Rispoli and how he guided the son of Curlin to multiple top finishes this year. However, as you’d imagine, the news must have come as a shock to the Preakness and Haskell Stakes-winning jockey. “I can tell you from experience, Umberto’s not having a good day right now,” former jockey Joe Talamo wasn’t beating around the bush when asked about his perspective on the matter.

But while the news opened the floodgates on debates and discussions everywhere, Wellman declined to elaborate on the reason that prompted the rider replacement. But, then again, Ortiz could hardly complain about the opportunity coming his way, even at the expense of Rispoli. “I’m very excited to have the opportunity from the owners and the trainer. I think he’s a great horse and he’s very live in the race. He’s got a big heart, and he fights,” Jose noted his excitement about the chance to work with Journalism for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

But while the world spirals to find the root cause behind the sudden change, Journalism has its eyes on the prize. He only recently breezed five furlongs in his penultimate workout before the Breeders’ Cup showdown, and regular rider Tony Gutierrez couldn’t be happier. “It was good for him. It was perfect,” Gutierrez said after the colt’s 59.20 workout result on Friday.

However, while the horse does look to be in good condition ahead of the big race, the fans can’t choose a side when it comes to deciding whether Journalism’s owners are making the right call to part ways with the jockey who has brought them uncharted bounty all year.

Fans stand divided over Journalism’s latest development

Among other things, one of the biggest attractions for this year’s Classic will be the rivalry between Journalism and Sovereignty being rekindled. The two thunderous 3-year-old horses met at the Derby and the Belmont Stakes, with the Bill Mott-trained horse coming on top both times. Sovereignty has been forging his own path in recent months, and it looks like he’s more than ready to take on Journalism once again. The clash will be scintillating, and fans are split between whether the decision to give the reigns to Ortiz instead of pledging confidence in Rispoli might be a good one or not.

“I remember the Preakness I understand the concern,” commented one fan, who seemed to think Wellman’s call was probably made with the memory of how Rispoli allowed Journalism to get sandwiched between horses at Pimlico. ‘Will make zero difference. Aint beating Sovereignty,” another fan doesn’t believe that any tangible difference will come from giving Ortiz the mount.

Knowing how both Journalism and Sovereignty are highly capable colts, McCarthy admitted that the field for the Breeders’ Cup was the “strongest 3-year-old crop I (Michael) have seen in recent memory,” highlighting how the battle between the country’s top two horses will be a memorable one in Del Mar. Given the circumstances, the fans, understandably, are swaying both sides before concluding the Rispoli-Ortiz debate. “I agree with this decision,” one fan welcomed the news. “Bush league move by ownership,” another wasn’t so convinced.

“Damn Umberto got done dirty…..I’m a Jose fan but damn,” some horse racing enthusiasts were more concerned about how Rispoli would take the news rather than discussing Ortiz’s chances of winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic.