HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – White Abarrio is better than ever at the age of 7. “That’s how we feel,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. The 2023 Breeders’ Classic winner swept into Arkansas this week for one of the most anticipated renewals of the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap, and won the race by two lengths over 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to Journalism. The Oaklawn Handicap was largely billed as a rematch between returning 4-year-olds Sovereignty and Journalism, who distinguished themselves during last year’s Triple Crown. Sovereignty won both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and Journalism was the dramatic winner of the Preakness Stakes. Sovereignty would go on to be voted the 2025 Horse of the Year and was the 123-pound highweight in what was his first start since winning the Travers in August. White Abarrio was weighted at 121 off a runner-up finish in the Pegasus World Cup in January, and Journalism was in at 119 for what was his first start since running a good fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. The race was about the trio from the bell. White Abarrio ($9.20) broke on top and took the field to the first turn of the 1 1/8-mile race, conceding the lead to Sovereignty soon afterward. The reigning Horse of the Year and 4-5 favorite proceeded to run the opening quarter in 23.13 seconds, the half-mile in 47.03, and six furlongs in 1:11.27 for six furlongs, with Journalism in close pursuit. They battled on the final turn, as jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. moved White Abarrio off the rail, and they advanced three wide. “I thought I was going to be on the lead,” Ortiz said in comments distributed by Oaklawn, “but, honestly, when I saw Sovereignty broke that sharp and I saw Journalism beside him – he didn’t want to let him walk – it’s going to be a match race, so I could probably take advantage of it. I was in good position inside of them, so I took my time and went to Plan B. It worked out beautiful.” White Abarrio worked to get past the leaders in the stretch, then asserted himself in the final sixteenth as both Sovereignty and Journalism ran on well, with Journalism finishing eight lengths clear of fourth-place finisher Publisher. White Abarrio covered the distance on a fast track in 1:47.49 (111 Beyer Speed Figure). It was the fastest Oaklawn Handicap since 1996, when Geri won in 1:47.40 and fractional times were reflected only in fifth of a second increments. Sovereignty was on the lead “just by default,” jockey Junior Alvarado said in comments distributed by Oaklawn. “I thought White Abarrio was going to go to the lead. He ended up taking back and I had Journalism breathing down my neck. I was in the middle of both horses, so I couldn’t really take back. If I take back, they walk the dog on the lead. They’re not going to pressure each other. But, we needed to get a race with the horse. I think he’ll get a lot out of this race and we’ll move forward from this race.” Jose Ortiz rode Journalism. “Good trip,” he told track publicity. “I thought White Abarrio was going to be the speed, but he took back on the first turn. I just sat there next to Sovereignty. We were traveling very good the first half a mile. I was very happy. At the three-eighths pole, I started approaching [Sovereignty] little by little. I knew White Abarrio was right behind us. I didn’t want to get caught sleeping, so I started asking little by little at the three-eighths pole. When we hit the quarter pole, we went all in. “White Abarrio’s a very nice horse. Sovereignty’s a very nice horse. For Sovereignty and me, we’re coming back. Very good race for both of them. I think it was a very good race for the fans and, hopefully, the rivalry continues.” White Abarrio’s earnings now stand at $8.4 million. H has won 11 of 26 starts, and his most significant wins include the Florida Derby in 2022, the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2023 and the Pegasus World Cup in 2025. “He has such a following,” Joseph said. “The horse, he’s been going so long. It’s nice to see how much appreciation people have for him, “You don’t want to disappoint the fans when you have a horse like this now. You don’t want to disappoint the fans or the horse, It’s not even about us anymore.” Attendance ontrack was an estimated 35,000 on an overcast afternoon that began with morning rains. The infield was not opened. Handle on the 12-race card from all sources was $13.9 million. Joseph was winning his second Oaklawn Handicap behind Skippylongstocking. Last weekend, he won the Grade 1 Apple Blossom here with Claret Beret.  :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.