The highly anticipated Oaklawn Handicap (G2) on April 18, 2026, will feature a marquee showdown between the top 3-year-old males from the previous year, Sovereignty and Journalism. Sovereignty, the Eclipse Award-winning Horse of the Year, defeated Journalism in both the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but missed the Preakness Stakes and has been on a long layoff since winning the Travers Stakes last summer. Journalism, the 2025 Preakness winner, has also been off since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last November. The race will be run at 1 1/8 miles, shorter than their previous clashes, and marks the start of the new season for both colts.
Joining them is White Abarrio, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, who recently finished second in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and is considered a strong contender due to his tactical speed. The field also includes longshots Liberal Arts, Duke of Duval, and Publisher. Sovereignty and White Abarrio ship from South Florida, while Journalism arrives from California. The race will be broadcast on FS2 and FanDuel TV, with top jockeys Junior Alvarado aboard Sovereignty and Jose Ortiz riding Journalism. The Oaklawn Handicap offers a $1.25 million purse and serves as a key early test for these elite older horses.
