HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sovereignty, the 2025 Horse of the Year following a campaign that included wins in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and Journalism, the winner of the Preakness and Haskell stakes, will meet in a blockbuster renewal of the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap next Saturday.
Sovereignty drew post 3 in the field of six and was made the 4-5 morning-line favorite during a ceremonial draw conducted ahead of Sunday’s first race at Oaklawn. He will start as the 123-pound highweight under Junior Alvarado in what will be his first start since winning last year’s Travers in August with a Beyer Speed Figure of 115.
Journalism drew post 5 and was made the 5-2 second choice for the 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Handicap. Jose Ortiz has the mount on Journalism, who will tote 119 pounds. It will be the first start since November for Journalism, who ran fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a Beyer of 106
White Abarrio, an earner of $7.7 million who won the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, adds further depth to the Oaklawn Handicap. He is weighted at 121 pounds and will start from the rail under Irad Ortiz Jr.
“What a race,” said Saffie Joseph Jr., who trains White Abarrio. “As a fan, you love it. As a competitor, you love it in a competitive nature, but you would rather it be easier.
“But hey, look, our horse is doing very good. That’s all you can ask. When you feel like your horse is peaking, that’s when you want to run. We feel like he’s giving us all indications he’s going to run his best race.”
White Abarrio shipped out of his South Florida base Sunday morning, bound for Oaklawn, Joseph said.
The complete field for the Oaklawn Handicap from the rail with riders and odds is White Abarrio, Ortiz, 7-2; Liberal Arts, Reynier Arrieta, 15-1; Sovereignty, Alvarado, 4-5; Duke of Duval, Keith Asmussen, 20-1; Journalism, Ortiz, 5-2; and Publisher, Erik Asmussen, 15-1.
Publisher is weighted at 118, while Duke of Duval and Liberal Arts are both weighted at 116.
The Oaklawn Handicap will go as the 11th of 12 races next Saturday, it was announced during the draw.
The Oaklawn Handicap will be supported on the card by other stakes and continues the annual Racing Festival of the South.
