Connect with us

Sports

Journalism roars back from disastrous start to win San Diego Handicap at Del Mar

Published

on

Journalism roars back from disastrous start to win San Diego Handicap at Del Mar

Umberto Rispoli waited nearly 11 months to ride Journalism again and then, well, let track announcer Larry Collmus describe it:

“They’re off in the San Diego Handicap and Journalism brushed the gate just as it opened, and he’s left behind the field. Journalism has been left behind about five lengths. … A disastrous start for the big favorite Journalism.”

“I won’t tell you the swear [word] that I throw out there,” Rispoli said.

“It just kind of took the starch out of everything,” said Aron Wellman, managing partner of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, co-owner of the 4-year-old colt.

Fortunately for Rispoli, Wellman and anyone else associated with Journalism, including the fans who bet him down to 1-5 odds Saturday at Del Mar Racetrack, this story ended much happier than it began.

Advertisement

Rispoli patiently guided Journalism back into close contact with the other four horses in the 1 1/16-mile race, swung him outside entering the stretch and the son of Curlin cruised to a victory — his first since the same Saturday a year ago in the Haskell at Monmouth Park.

In the ensuing 12 months, Journalism started four times and finished between second and fourth each time. He didn’t run poorly in any of the races; in fact, of the seven horses who beat him, five were Breeders’ Cup winners and a sixth won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont.

But when your resume includes not only the Haskell but also the Santa Anita Derby and Preakness, sometimes close isn’t good enough.

Advertisement

“Frustrating for sure,” Wellman said earlier in the week.

The San Diego Handicap presented the weakest field Journalism had faced since at least the 2025 Preakness, and his task seemed to get easier when Full Serrano, the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner here in 2024, was withdrawn Saturday morning because of recurring foot problems.

But as Rispoli noted, “You can’t go in a race and think of course he’s [1-5]. You have to respect everybody in the field. Because you see, everything can happen in horse racing.”

Jockey Umberto Rispoli looks down at Journalism after riding the colt to victory in the San Diego Handicap on Saturday.

Jockey Umberto Rispoli looks down at Journalism after riding the colt to victory in the San Diego Handicap on Saturday.

(Benoit Photo via Associated Press)

Advertisement

Including your horse starting to move forward just before the gate opens, then hitting the side of the stall and spotting the field several lengths.

“I was concerned [with] the bad start, obviously,” Rispoli said. “But it wasn’t the first time I was in that situation. I know what I have underneath myself. I know what he’s capable of.”

The official margin was three-quarters of a length over the California-bred Shea Brennan, who was the longest shot in the short field at 23-1. Iron Man Cal, like the runner-up trained by Phil D’Amato, was third, with The Goat fourth and pacesetting Mirahmadi fading to last.

The final time was 1 minute, 42.65 seconds and Journalism, who paid $2.40 for his seventh win in 14 starts, earned $180,000 to push his career total to $4.77 million.

“Umberto did a good job of getting him to recover and his class won out,” winning trainer Michael McCarthy said.

Advertisement

And, given what Rispoli has been through, maybe Saturday was supposed to be difficult. The Italian jockey only recently resumed riding a few weeks ago after missing five months because of a fall in January at Gulfstream Park. He sustained a fractured right fibula and tibia, a displaced ankle and torn ligaments.

“I was in severe pain,” Rispoli said of his rehab, which included time spent at a specialist in Spain. “The first two weeks [in Spain], I said to myself, this is gonna be hard to do it. You know, I’m almost 38, first time a very hard accident happened to me. It was really bad.

“But this is what gave me the strength, horse racing. And I know I have a job incomplete … so I have to come back for this guy.”

Advertisement

Sports

Trump to present FIFA World Cup winners with trophy

Published

on

Trump to present FIFA World Cup winners with trophy

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

President Donald Trump will present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winner of the match between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, a White House official confirmed to Fox News.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last month on “Fox & Friends” that he and Trump would deliver the trophy to the winning team’s captain on the field of New York/New Jersey Stadium.

WATCH ARGENTINA VS SPAIN LIVE

Reece James of Chelsea lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy on stage with President Donald Trump after Chelsea’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Advertisement

Infantino also said at the time that Trump would attend the contest. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the president’s attendance “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”

Trump was on stage during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation after Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Earlier in the World Cup, Trump got involved in one of the World Cup’s biggest controversies, calling Infantino and requesting a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card. Balogun was suspended for Team USA’s Round of 16 match, but he was later ruled eligible for the game.

President of FIFA Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump prepare to present the trophy to Chelsea FC following the World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 13, 2025. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Advertisement

Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win on June 12.

The president was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December.

President Donald Trump speaks after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Cup 2026 Final Draw. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, D.C., next month.

Advertisement

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

Continue Reading

Sports

Shohei Ohtani scratched from next pitching start, return to mound unclear

Published

on

Shohei Ohtani scratched from next pitching start, return to mound unclear

The Dodgers don’t know when Shohei Ohtani will take the mound next.

He was tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday against the Phillies, after promising initial reports on his recovery from an injection in his left knee. But after seeing his knee’s response to playing catch, the team decided to give him more time.

“We just want to continue to give it the best chance to kind of get into a good spot,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And as he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque of landing on that leg that kind of gets it upset.”

It was clear enough from catch play that Ohtani’s start would have to be pushed back that Ohtani did not feel the need to test it by throwing off a mound, Roberts said.

“Where we’re at right now, how we’re proceeding, I would say that it’s going to be some time,” Roberts said. “It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing.”

Advertisement

That left a wide range of timeline possibilities, from days to weeks. Roberts did, however, rule out shutting Ohtani down from pitching for the rest of the season.

“I guess anything is possible, but I just don’t think that’s a possibility,” he said.

To fill Ohtani’s spot in the rotation this week, the Dodgers moved right-hander Emmet Sheehan’s start to Monday. Before the rainout bumped the second game of the series against the New York Yankees, Sheehan was scheduled to start Saturday.

For Sunday’s doubleheader, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound in the first game. The bullpen, and potentially multiple innings from the 27th man, will cover the nightcap.

“Honestly, a lot of it is where we’re at and how we’ve put ourselves in a good spot,” Roberts said of the MLB-leading Dodgers. “Could [Ohtani] probably do it? Sure. But right now, the benefits just don’t seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season. So I think we still have plenty of time to get him to a good spot to then pitch.”

Advertisement

Ohtani, who went hitless in four at-bats as the designated hitter in Friday’s 2-1 win, was set to DH and hit leadoff in Sunday’s first game.

Continue Reading

Sports

England beats France in instant classic to earn third place at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published

on

England beats France in instant classic to earn third place at 2026 FIFA World Cup

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

It’s the game that no one ever wants to play in, but there was still a lot on the line for both England and France in the third-place match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

Both teams hit the pitch at Miami Stadium (also known as Hard Rock Stadium) after some tough semifinal losses: France to Spain, and England to reigning champs Argentina.

France was looking for redemption after coming up short in a tournament where they were widely viewed to be the favorite. Plus, this match presented an opportunity for French star Kylian Mbappe to overtake Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE

Advertisement

England’s Bukayo Saka scores during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Medal Match. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

However, they were up against an England team that had played well throughout the tournament and was 2-1 against them in World Cup matches. Their two most offensively potent players this tournament, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both started the match on the bench.

Well, in the early going, it turns out that England had enough offensive firepower to get things started.

In just the 3rd minute, Declan Rice hit paydirt to open the scoring.

Only about ten minutes later, England put another one in the back of the net; however, it was deemed to have been offside.

Advertisement

But even with the big guns sitting on the bench, England was easily the more offensively productive team early, with Ezri Konsa adding another off of a corner in the 18th minute.

But why not make it three?

In the 37th minute, Bukayo Saka scored a goal that was certainly not how the Three Lions would’ve drawn it up, but it counts just the same.

And while you’re at it, Mr. Saka, just tack on another for good measure.

FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Advertisement

England took a 4-0 lead into halftime after one of the most lopsided first halves of the tournament, and few expected France to be on the receiving end, especially with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham still on the bench.

And, honestly, it could’ve been worse.

France bounced back from a nightmare first half, and star Kylian Mbappe scored a pair to take the lead in the Golden Boot race and make history. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

Fortunately for France, they did exactly what they needed to and came out firing in the second half. Mbappe got them on the board in the 48th minute, and put himself ahead of Messi in the Golden Boot race, and even with him in career World Cup goals at 21.

Then, just minutes later, France’s Bradley Barcola added another to make it a 4-2 game.

Advertisement

So, while the first half was all England, the second was all about France, and in the 66th minute, Mbappe made it 4-3, while also extending his Golden Boot lead and taking over the top spot on the all-time World Cup goals list.

What. A. Match.

Who cares about third place, right?

England’s Jude Bellingham and Reece James celebrate Bukayo Saka’s (center) third goal of the Bronze Final match in Miami. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

But after getting several opportunities to tie it up, England was awarded a penalty kick, and that went to Bukayo Saka, who buried it for the hat trick and to give England a little breathing room late in the match.

Advertisement

It’s hard to believe he didn’t play a single minute in the semifinal loss to Argentina, right?

And that breathing room was important, because France wasn’t going to go quietly.

But England answered back immediately with a beauty from Jude Bellingham, his seventh of the tournament, and that was all she wrote.

Unbelievable.

The final score was, incredibly, 6-4. That was the most goals scored in a World Cup third-place match ever, topping the one in 1958 between France and West Germany.

Advertisement

With that win, England may have come up short when it comes to bringing a World Cup title back home, but that was their best finish in a World Cup since they won it in 1966.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

It was an incredible match, and now there’s only one left and its for the World Cup title.

Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday afternoon at New York-New Jersey Stadium, with the match scheduled to start at 3 pm ET.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending