Betting With, and Against, Sovereignty, in the 2026 Oaklawn Handicap

A fabulous field of six will vie in Saturday’s $1.25 million Oaklawn H. (G2). The stellar, but compact, group is led by reigning Horse of the Year #3 Sovereignty (4-5), who is the morning-line choice for his seasonal debut. Trained by Bill Mott, the stout son of Into Mischief was five-for-six last campaign, headlined by impressive tallies in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont (G1), and Travers (G1), and the colt appears to be training in excellent fashion in advance of his 2026 bow, as well. 

Sovereignty – With

• $20 trifecta key 3 with 1,5 ($40)

Sovereignty – Against

• $10 trifecta 1,5 with 1,3,5 with 1,3,5 ($40)

Sovereignty steadily improved as 2025 progressed and became more involved in the early portion of his races. The Godolphin homebred landed in a field with very little pace in the group, so he could find himself in a prime spot turning for home with regular pilot Junior Alvarado keeping him in range throughout the big event. 

Multiple Grade 1 hero #1 White Abarrio (7-2) has amassed in excess of $7.7 million in his lifetime and can beat top runners on his best day. The Saffie Joseph-trained son of Race Day was last seen running a brave second in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) off the long layoff in January and will be more fit for this endeavor. The seven-year-old gray does possess good tactical speed, and if Irad sends him and dictates things early, he could be stubborn in the lane while making his local debut. 

Preakness (G1) victor #5 Journalism (5-2) was a worthy opponent to the favorite in their pair of meetings on the Triple Crown Trail and will be formidable with his best off the shelf. The Michael McCarthy pupil earned three Grade 1 tallies in 2025 and has been working steadily since late February in preparation for his first appearance of the season. The late-running son of Curlin is two-for-two at the nine-furlong trip, and the four-year-old colt would not be a surprise with Jose Ortiz taking the reins for the second consecutive time.