Few horse racing followers can overlook that Sovereignty and Journalism are alumni of the Kentucky Derby (G1), their 1-2 end within the 2025 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs nonetheless vivid nearly a 12 months later.
However they don’t seem to be alone within the April 18 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) as opponents with Derby expertise. Two others within the six-horse subject, Writer and White Abarrio , additionally competed within the Triple Crown opener, although with much less distinction. Writer ran a nonthreatening 14th in final spring’s race, and White Abarrio checked in sixteenth within the Derby 4 years in the past.
On Saturday, these two tackle their extra well-known alums with a complete purse of $1.25 million on the road within the 1 1/8-mile race at Oaklawn Park. White Abarrio, winner of the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) and 9 different races, is the 7-2 third alternative on the morning line behind Sovereignty at 4-5 and Journalism at 5-2. Writer, using a three-race win streak, is 15-1.
“We’re not afraid of competitors,” White Abarrio’s co-owner, Mark Cornett of C2 Racing Secure, informed Oaklawn publicity. “That is what this sport wants. When’s the final time you noticed three good horses like this match up? It has been some time. I am unable to keep in mind the final time. It is good to see. Oaklawn does a heck of a job and with a $1.25 million purse, you are going to entice horses like this, you’d assume.”
Not for the reason that Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) has a home dust route for older horses assembled such heavyweights. That race was received by Eternally Younger over Sierra Leone and Fierceness . Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism ran fourth, and Sovereignty—the Derby, Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1) winner—was scratched days earlier than the Traditional after operating a fever. Each Journalism and Sovereignty are unraced in 2026.Join BloodHorse Every day
The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained White Abarrio, in the meantime, has a begin this 12 months, having run second behind stablemate Skippylongstocking within the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park.
With a bankroll of $7,713,920, White Abarrio is the richest Oaklawn Handicap entrant. Moreover his 2023 Breeders’ Cup Traditional win, different highlights for the horse embody capturing the 2022 Florida Derby (G1), the 2023 Whitney Stakes (G1), and a previous version of the Pegasus World Cup in 2025. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides
White Abarrio has by no means raced at Oaklawn, nor have Sovereignty or Journalism. The race’s three longshots—Liberal Arts , Duke of Duval , and Writer—all have, with Writer having essentially the most native success.
A maiden who positioned within the 2025 Arkansas Derby, Writer has lastly gotten in a profitable groove for Corridor of Fame coach Steve Asmussen this winter and spring at Oaklawn. After breaking his maiden in his thirteenth begin Feb. 15, the American Pharoah colt owned by Gus King and the property of Brereton Jones scored a follow-up allowance victory March 7. Fittingly for a horse along with his pedigree, he subsequent took Oaklawn’s March 28 American Pharoah In a single day Stakes, a race restricted to horses that had not received a sweepstakes in 2025-26.
Asmussen’s youngest son, Erik, has ridden Writer to these wins, all at 1 1/16 miles
“I am in all probability operating in opposition to the three finest older horses within the nation, however what I do know is how good my horse is doing and the shape he is in and these different horses are coming off a layoff,” Asmussen mentioned. “So, I am simply extraordinarily excited for the chance and the problem.”
