Journalism © Benoit Photo

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable and partners’ Journalism, one of the nation’s top older horses with more than $4.5 million in earnings under his belt, makes his first start in six weeks Saturday when he heads a stakes doubleheader card at Del Mar in the $300,000, Grade II San Diego Handicap.

The big Curlin colt, a winner in 2025 of four major stakes during a stellar sophomore campaign – including the Preakness – under the able handling of trainer Mike McCarthy, will be reunited with rider Umberto Rispoli Saturday as they take on six rivals in the 85th edition of the San Diego, a mile and one-sixteenth crucible which is considered the main prep for the track’s piece de resistance, the Grade I, $1-million Pacific Classic on Saturday, August 22.

Also on this Saturday’s program is the 59th running of the Grade II, $200,000 San Clemente Handicap which has drawn 11 3-year-old fillies to a mile spin on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course. Likely favorite in that test is the eastern-based miss Ground Support, who is owned by NBS Stable and will be handled by her regular rider Adam Beschizza.

In all, there will be 11 races on Day 2 of 32 on the seaside agenda. First post will be 2 p.m. with the San Diego scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. and the San Clemente slotted for 6:00 p.m.