Classic Winner Journalism Readies for Met Mile with Santa Anita Workout

Stablemate Meaning also works for trainer Michael McCarthy ahead of upcoming stakes races.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Journalism, winner of the 2025 Preakness Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, and Haskell Invitational, had his first official workout of the year at Santa Anita on Sunday. The 4-year-old colt worked three furlongs in :36.80, with trainer Michael McCarthy describing it as a "nice and easy" maintenance move as the horse prepares for a likely start in the Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga in June. Stablemate Meaning, winner of the recent Las Virgenes Stakes, also worked at Santa Anita, going four furlongs in :48.40 as she eyes the upcoming Santa Anita Oaks.

Why it matters

Journalism's workout marks an important step in the colt's preparation for his 4-year-old campaign, with the Met Mile likely to be his first major target after a successful 3-year-old season that included three Grade I wins. Meaning's workout also signals her readiness for the upcoming Santa Anita Oaks, a key Kentucky Oaks prep race, as she looks to build on her Las Virgenes victory.

The details

Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, worked three furlongs in :36.80 at Santa Anita on Sunday morning. McCarthy described it as a "nice and easy" move, saying the horse "got in a good rhythm and galloped out well." Journalism has been off since finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic last November, and the Met Mile in June is likely to be his next major target. Stablemate Meaning, winner of the recent Las Virgenes Stakes, also worked at Santa Anita, going four furlongs in :48.40. McCarthy said he timed the filly's drill in :49.20 and called it a "nice maintenance move." Meaning is being pointed toward the upcoming Santa Anita Oaks on April 4.

  • Journalism worked three furlongs in :36.80 on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
  • Meaning worked four furlongs in :48.40 on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
  • 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, 2026.
  • The GII Santa Anita Oaks is scheduled for April 4, 2026.

The players

Journalism

A 4-year-old colt who won the 2025 Preakness Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, and Haskell Invitational as a 3-year-old. He is being pointed toward the Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga in June as his next major target.

Meaning

A 3-year-old filly who won the recent Las Virgenes Stakes and is being pointed toward the upcoming Santa Anita Oaks on April 4.

Michael McCarthy

The trainer of both Journalism and Meaning.

Bridlewood Farm

The owner of Meaning, in partnership with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners

The co-owner of Meaning, in partnership with Bridlewood Farm.

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What they’re saying

“Nice and easy. He got in a good rhythm and galloped out well. It's kind of a maintenance pattern with him right now.”

— Michael McCarthy, Trainer (Thoroughbred Daily News)

“I thought it was a nice maintenance move also.”

— Michael McCarthy, Trainer (Thoroughbred Daily News)

“We'll keep all of our options open, but we'd definitely like to make the Santa Anita Oaks.”

— Michael McCarthy, Trainer (Thoroughbred Daily News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This story highlights the continued success and preparation of two top horses trained by Michael McCarthy, as Journalism readies for a run at the Met Mile and Meaning looks to build on her recent Las Virgenes victory in the upcoming Santa Anita Oaks. It showcases the trainer's ability to develop top-level talent and keep his stable of stars on track for major spring and summer targets.