Sovereignty surveys Oaklawn ahead of 4-year-old debut
Reigning horse of the year Sovereignty got his first feel of the Oaklawn racing surface Wednesday morning, galloping a mile in advance of his 2026 debut in Saturday's Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap.
His National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame trainer, Bill Mott, escorted Sovereignty to the track, where the colt visited the indoor paddock and galloped after the first surface renovation break.
"Easy day," Mott said. "He was ready to do something. He was happy that he was able to do something."
The Oaklawn Handicap will mark the 4-year-old debut of Sovereignty, who won five of six starts last year for Mott and breeder/owner Godolphin, including two legs of the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes). Sovereignty earned the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male of 2025.
Sovereignty has not started since a 10-length romp in the Travers Stakes (G1) at 1 1/4 miles Aug. 23 at Saratoga. Sovereignty, who has never faced older horses, vanned to Oaklawn after training in South Florida. The son of Into Mischief arrived Tuesday morning.
"It's a long trip, but it was a good trip," Mott said. "Sovereignty unloaded good and looked fine and ate up well and seems like he's got good energy."
Sovereignty drew into a field of six for the 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Handicap, which headlines a 12-race card beginning at 12:45 p.m. CDT Saturday. Probable post time for the Oaklawn Handicap, the 11th race, is 6:20 p.m. Saturday's card also features the $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles and the $200,000 Valley of the Vapors Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile.
The Oaklawn Handicap field from the rail out: White Abarrio, Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride, 121 pounds, 7-2 on the morning line; Liberal Arts, Reynier Arrieta, 116, 15-1; Sovereignty, Junior Alvarado, 123, 4-5; Duke of Duval, Keith Asmussen, 116, 20-1; Journalism, José Ortiz, 119, 5-2; and Publisher, Erik Asmussen, 118, 15-1.
Journalism ranked among the top 3-year-olds of 2025 after winning the Preakness – the second leg of the Triple Crown – Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) and finishing second behind Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes for Southern California-based trainer Michael McCarthy. Journalism, Publisher and Duke of Duval stood in the gate together Wednesday morning. Publisher and Duke of Duval are trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen.
Multiple Grade 1 winner and millionaire White Abarrio galloped after the first surface renovation break Wednesday morning for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. White Abarrio won the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic.