Journalism and Rodriguez Win Key Derby Prep Races

Journalism won the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby by three-quarters of a length, solidifying his status as a Kentucky Derby favorite and impressing a crowd of 34,312. Bob Baffert's horses, Citizen Bull and Barnes, did not meet expectations, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively. Baffert found success on the East Coast with Rodriguez, who secured a Kentucky Derby spot by winning the $750,000 Wood Memorial. A rule change increased the Santa Anita Derby's point value to 75, affecting Baeza's Derby qualification prospects. Meanwhile, Aqueduct Racetrack, the Wood Memorial's venue, is set to close in 2026, marking the end of its history as a key New York City horse racing site.