Here we go again, this time at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where Sovereignty and Journalism open their 4-year-old campaigns in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2).
The 3-year-old stars of 2025 will line up against each other for the third time in a six-horse field of older horses going 1 1/8 miles. They could also meet again later in the year in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland.
Sovereignty, the reigning Horse of the Year, is 2-0 against Journalism – both wins in Triple Crown races. The first came in the Kentucky Derby (G1): The colts dueled in the stretch over a sloppy track before Sovereignty prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths.
After Journalism muscled his way to victory in the Preakness Stakes (G1) two weeks later (Sovereignty did not run), the two met again in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Same result. This time, Journalism had the lead in the stretch before Sovereignty was taken five wide and won by three lengths.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic was supposed to feature a third matchup between the two, but Sovereignty was scratched after spiking a fever a few days before the race. Journalism ran and finished fourth behind older horses Forever Young, Sierra Leone, and Fierceness.
Journalism went off as the favorite in the Derby and Belmont. Sovereignty, who went on to win the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and the Travers Stakes (G1) last summer to complete his championship season, is the 4-5 morning-line choice on Saturday. Journalism, who won the Haskell Stakes (G1) and ran second in the Pacific Classic (G1) last summer, is 5-2.
Adding spice to the field is White Abarrio, the 7-year-old nearly white warrior with $7.7 million in earnings from 10 victories in 25 career starts. White Abarrio ran second to stablemate Skippylongstocking in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) in January. He’s the 7-2 third choice.
Also entered are Liberal Arts (15-1), Publisher (15-1), and Duke of Duval (20-1).
Sovereignty, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, is racing for the first time in nearly eight months after winning four of five races in 2025. Junior Alvarado rides out of post 3. Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, comes in off a 5 ½-month break. Jose Ortiz has the call out of post 5.
As for betting the race, it’s a tough ask for a horse to come off a long break and be in peak condition. And, at 4-5 odds, the return on investment is minimal, so be ready in case Journalism turns the tables at 5-2.
White Abarrio, trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., and with Irad Ortiz, Jr., aboard, may be worth a small investment at 7-2. The others? Publisher went 0-for-12 to start his career but has won his last three (none in a graded stakes); Liberal Arts is running for the first time in nearly a year for new trainer Heather Irion; and Duke of Duval is in way over his head.
“Obviously, we’re going up against the Horse of the Year. And maybe our best won’t be good enough,” Joseph said. “But I believe he [Sovereignty] is going to have to bring his best to beat us.”
The Oaklawn Handicap is the headliner on Saturday’s 12-race card. Post time for the race is 7:20 p.m. ET. Other races on the undercard include the $200,000 Bathhouse Row for 3-year-olds and the $200,000 Valley of the Vapors for 3-year-old fillies.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | M/L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Abarrio | I Ortiz, Jr. | S A Joseph, Jr. | 7/2 | |
| 2 | Liberal Arts | R Arrieta | H Irion | 15/1 | |
| 3 | Sovereignty | J Alvarado | W I Mott | 4/5 | |
| 4 | Duke of Duval | K J Asmussen | S M Asmussen | 20/1 | |
| 5 | Journalism | J L Ortiz | M W McCarthy | 5/2 | |
| 6 | Publisher | E Asmussen | S M Asmussen | 15/1 |
Last Updated on 04/13/2026
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
