White Abarrio Blows Past Sovereignty, Journalism To Win Oaklawn Handicap
White Abarrio, with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, sprinted past highly touted thoroughbreds Sovereignty and Journalism to win the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on Saturday, April 18. Sovereignty finished second, Journalism third.
A 7-year-old stallion, White Abarrio swung to the outside coming down the stretch in the six-horse race on the 1 1/8-mile dirt track, blowing past the two favorites, Sovereignty and Journalism.
Going into Saturday's race, much of the attention was focused on Sovereignty and Journalism, last year's Triple Crown winners as 3-year-olds. In 2025, Sovereignty won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, with Journalism finishing second in both races. Sovereignty did not run in the 2025 Preakness, which Journalism won.
Over the years, White Abarrio has amassed $7.7 million in earnings, not counting Saturday's win at Oaklawn Park. White Abarrio's successes have included winning the 2023 Breeders' Cup, pictured.
Looking Ahead To The Kentucky Derby
Saturday's race at Oaklawn came two weeks before the May 2 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
The 2026 favorite in the May 2 Run for the Roses, Renegade, also has had success at Oaklawn Park, recently winning the Arkansas Derby.
During the Kentucky Derby draw on April 25, Nick Tammaro, the new morning-line oddsmaker at Churchill Downs, will announce the morning line for the expected 20-horse field. He recently said he expects Renegade to be about a 4-1 favorite.
2026 Triple Crown Races
Below are the dates for the 2026 Triple Crown races.
- Kentucky Derby: Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
- Preakness Stakes: Saturday, May 16, 2026 – Laurel Park (Laurel, Maryland)
- Belmont Stakes: Saturday, June 6, 2026 – Saratoga Race Course (Saratoga Springs, New York)
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