LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Racing fans won’t have to wait long for another meeting between White Abarrio and Sovereignty. White Abarrio, who beat Sovereignty by two lengths in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 18, has been confirmed to make his next start in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 27. “It’s a Grade 1, it fits well timing-wise, a mile and an eighth, same distance, it works well for him,” Joseph said. White Abarrio, who was expected to be on the lead in the Oaklawn Handicap, instead came from off the pace when Sovereignty showed unexpected speed in the race. In the Oaklawn Handicap, Sovereignty was making his first start since he won the Grade 1 Travers last Aug. 23 and was facing older horses for the first time. “Superb ride by Irad [Ortiz Jr.]. He had to make a clutch decision in a split second and it was the winning move, no one expected that,” Joseph said. “It put [Sovereignty] in a compromised spot where off a layoff he would have to run the whole way. You could probably get away with coming off a layoff fitness-wise if you don’t have to run the whole way. It worked to our benefit and Abarrio ran huge.” White Abarrio shipped back to his base at Gulfstream Park and has appeared to come out of the race very well, Jospeh said. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2026: Top contenders, point standings, news, and more “We’re in a good spot right now as far as the horse goes. We’re doing super and hopefully he can stay that way,” Joseph said. White Abarrio has not raced at Churchill Downs since the 2022 Kentucky Derby, where he finished 16th. The Oaklawn Handicap was his 11th career victory from 26 starts and pushed his career earnings to $8.4 million. Joseph spoke Monday on the Churchill Downs backside just as his other star older horse, Skippylongstocking, was arriving from Florida. Skippylongstocking, who beat White Abarrio in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in January, is scheduled to run in Friday’s Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes. Meanwhile, following the Oaklawn Handicap, Sovereignty, last year’s Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year, shipped to Churchill Downs, where he has been training regularly during the 15-minute window reserved for this year’s Kentucky Derby and Oaks participants. Trainer Bill Mott plans to keep Sovereignty in Kentucky until next week, when he is likely to ship to Saratoga to prepare for the Stephen Foster. “I’m certainly not backing down from anybody,” Mott said about the rematch with White Abarrio. “I’m looking forward to running in the Stephen Foster and realize it’s going to be a tough field.” Another horse mentioned as a possible starter for the Stephen Foster is Magnitude, who won the Dubai World Cup last month, defeating Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young. – additional reporting by Mike Welsch :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.