Few horse racing fans can forget that Sovereignty and Journalism are alumni of the Kentucky Derby (G1), their 1-2 finish in the 2025 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs still vivid almost a year later.
But they are not alone in the April 18 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) as competitors with Derby experience. Two others in the six-horse field, Publisher and White Abarrio, also competed in the Triple Crown opener, though with less distinction. Publisher ran a nonthreatening 14th in last spring's race, and White Abarrio checked in 16th in the Derby four years ago.
On Saturday, those two take on their more famous alums with a total purse of $1.25 million on the line in the 1 1/8-mile race at Oaklawn Park. White Abarrio, winner of the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and nine other races, is the 7-2 third choice on the morning line behind Sovereignty at 4-5 and Journalism at 5-2. Publisher, riding a three-race win streak, is 15-1.
"We're not scared of competition," White Abarrio's co-owner, Mark Cornett of C2 Racing Stable, told Oaklawn publicity. "This is what this sport needs. When's the last time you saw three good horses like this match up? It's been a while. I can't remember the last time. It's good to see. Oaklawn does a heck of a job and with a $1.25 million purse, you're going to attract horses like this, you would think."
Not since the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) has a domestic dirt route for older horses assembled such heavyweights. That race was won by Forever Young 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 before the Classic after running a fever. Both Journalism and Sovereignty are unraced in 2026.
The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained White Abarrio, meanwhile, has a start this year, having run second behind stablemate Skippylongstocking in 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. Besides his 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic win, other highlights for the horse include capturing the 2022 Florida Derby (G1), the 2023 Whitney Stakes (G1), and a prior edition of the Pegasus World Cup in 2025. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides
White Abarrio has never raced at Oaklawn, nor have Sovereignty or Journalism. The race's three longshots—Liberal Arts, Duke of Duval, and Publisher—all have, with Publisher having the most local success.
A maiden who placed in the 2025 Arkansas Derby, Publisher has finally gotten in a winning groove for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen this winter and spring at Oaklawn. After breaking his maiden in his 13th start Feb. 15, the American Pharoah colt owned by Gus King and the estate of Brereton Jones scored a follow-up allowance victory March 7. Fittingly for a horse with his pedigree, he next took Oaklawn's March 28 American Pharoah Overnight Stakes, a race restricted to horses that had not won a sweepstakes in 2025-26.
Asmussen's youngest son, Erik, has ridden Publisher to those wins, all at 1 1/16 miles
"I'm probably running against the three best older horses in the country, but what I know is how good my horse is doing and the form he's in and these other horses are coming off a layoff," Asmussen said. "So, I'm just extremely excited for the opportunity and the challenge."
