Stewards decline to sanction jockeys

Maryland stewards declined to take action against two jockeys in a bumpy running of the 150th Preakness Stakes that was won by favorite Journalism on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally. He kept Journalism near the rail, which saved ground but forced him to slip between Goal Oriented, ridden by Flavien Prat, and Clever Again — with no shortage of contact. Gosger was second by a half-length, Sandman was third and Bob Baffert-trained Goal Oriented fourth as Journalism prevailed two weeks after finishing second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby.

A stewards inquiry was briefly posted after the Preakness to look at the contact, and then it was removed with no changes.

On Friday, six days after the race, three Maryland stewards — Adam Campola, Ross Pearce and Russell Derderian — posted a brief statement on the Maryland Racing Commission website announcing their decision.

“After reviewing the films and speaking with the riders involved, we, the presiding Stewards of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, came to the unanimous decision not to take action against Flavien Prat, rider of 4th-place finished Goal Oriented or Umberto Rispoli, rider of 1st-place finisher Journalism,” the statement read.

Rispoli, who became the first jockey from Italy to win a Triple Crown race, said he “got in trouble at the quarter pole” but praised Journalism for continuing to race hard. Trainer Michael McCarthy said he was thankful that nobody got hurt.

“Umberto, all credit to him, he chose to save ground. That’s what it takes to win these races like this,” McCarthy said. “Obviously found himself in a little bit of a conundrum there for six or eight jumps. Thankful that he and the horse came out of it unscathed. That’s the most important thing, win, lose or draw.”

Journalism’s win brought to mind Afleet Alex’s victory in this same race 20 years ago, when the horse and jockey Jeremy Rose nearly went down when they were cut off by another horse at the top of the stretch.

Journalism’s anxious moment was around the same spot at Pimlico, and although he didn’t stumble the way Afleet Alex did, he had to deal with horses on both sides of him.

“Jeremy Rose almost fell off from the horse. That was for me probably the most spectacular Preakness that I ever see,” Rispoli said. “But even what we saw today. This horse, coming back after two weeks from a tough trip in the [Kentucky] Derby … it was an amazing effort. I wish I would have give him a softer race, but this is a part of horse racing.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.