What to know about Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism

The 151st Kentucky Derby is set to run on Saturday evening, and a clear favorite has emerged going into the first leg of this year's Triple Crown. As of Friday night, the odds-on favorite is Journalism, a three-year-old colt with an impressive pedigree and track record going into the race.

Journalism enters Saturday with 3-1 odds and will start in the seventh post position.

Here are a few more things to know about the Kentucky Derby favorite.

The key details

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners

Trainer: Journalism is trained by Michael W. McCarthy. McCarthy has never trained a Kentucky Derby winner, but he did train the 2018 Breeders Cup Dirt Mile winner City of Light and the 2021 Preakness Stakes winner Rombauer. 

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli, a 36-year-old from Italy.

The record

Journalism has five starts in its career with four wins and one third-place finish.

The third-place finish was Journalism's first race in 2024 at the Maiden Special Weight. Since then, Journalism won four consecutive starts, including both of its 2025 starts at the San Felipe Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby. 

Journalism has already racked up more than $638,000 in career earnings, including $480,000 this year. 

An impressive pedigree

Journalism was sired by Curlin, the 2007 and 2008 American Horse of the Year. Curlin's major wins include the 2007 Preakness Stakes, the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic and the 2008 Dubai World Cup.

Curlin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2014 in its first year of eligibility. 

Journalism has a great post position

Journalism will be starting from the seventh post position, which is traditionally one of the more successful positions for winning. 

It started in the eighth spot, but following the scratching of Rodriguez in the fourth post spot.

In 93 Kentucky Derby's since 1930, the seventh post position has won eight times (8.6%), making it the the sixth-most successful starting position at the Derby.