Triple Crown warrior Journalism continued his sensational 3-year-old campaign with another dramatic victory, surging late to capture Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park. The Preakness winner and Kentucky Derby and Belmont runner-up overcame a slow start and charged from off the pace under jockey Umberto Rispoli to edge Gosger by a half-length, just as he had in Baltimore.

The son of Curlin, trained by Michael McCarthy and co-owned by a powerhouse partnership including Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and breeders Don Alberto Stable, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.15 on a fast main track. The victory secures Journalism a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar.

“[T]oday, I think, he was most special, probably more than the Preakness,” winning rider Umberto Rispoli said in a release. “Today, coming out of the gate he was upset with the kickback. Something was bothering him. He’d never been worried about the kickback before. So on the backside I decided to take him closer to Gosger, and I know the horse was going to take me wherever I want.”

The Haskell, run before a crowd of 41,876—the largest since 2015—produced a record handle of nearly $22 million, the third straight year setting a non-Breeders’ Cup mark.

Despite being farther back than planned, Journalism unleashed a relentless, measured rally to reel in Gosger late.

“Once I pulled the stick out, he responded as a great horse. I got up in time,” Rispoli said.

Trainer Brendan Walsh was proud of his runner-up but frustrated by another narrow loss to the same rival: “We got nailed again by a really good horse. I’m disappointed, but I’m not disappointed in the horse. He ran great. He’s been unlucky.”

Bob Baffert’s Goal Oriented finished a close third, just a neck behind Gosger, after a game effort in just his fourth career start.

Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation, Journalism has now won six of nine starts and earned nearly $3.8 million. He paid $2.80 to win and topped an exacta that returned $5.90 for a one-dollar ager.

McCarthy said Journalism’s future plans remain undecided but was certain about one thing. “He’s a very special horse,” the trainer said.