Journalism owners report Preakness remains in play

The door remains open for Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism to do what the winner will not: Race in the May 17 Preakness Stakes.

Sovereignty won Saturday's Kentucky Derby over the favorite Journalism but already has decided to skip the second stage of the Triple Crown at Baltimore.

Journalism has remained Thursday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and has been recovering well after taking the lead in the stretch of the Kentucky Derby, then settling for second by 1 1/2 lengths under jockey Umberto Rispoli.

"We're not going to rush into any determination right now. We're going to keep the Preakness in play," said Aron Wellman, CEO of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which is one of Journalism's owners. "We're going to monitor Journalism to the best of our ability and then make the best decision for the horse. We're not saying we're in and we're certainly not shutting the door."

Journalism was the 7-2 favorite for the Kentucky Derby after coming off a victory at the Santa Anita Derby on April 25. The colt has four wins in six races, including the second-place finish at Kentucky and a third-place finish in its maiden race at Santa Anita in October of last year.