Saturday’s $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap promises to be America’s race of the year so far in 2026. Last year’s sensational sophomores Sovereignty and Journalism are all grown up for their 4-year-old debuts. Veteran White Abarrio already has won some of the sport’s biggest races for older horses and braces for the new challengers over 1-1/8 miles.

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Let’s meet the contenders for the Oaklawn Handicap (Race 11):

#1-White Abarrio: The 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2025 Pegasus World Cup winner has banked $7.7 million in his career with 10 wins, both tops among the Oaklawn Handicap field. Now age 7, White Abarrio comes off a runner-up in the Jan. 24 Pegasus World Cup in his only start since August. Saffie Joseph Jr. stablemate Skippylongstocking won this race in 2024. Regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. looks for his first win in this race and notably won Oaklawn’s Arkansas Derby a few weeks back with Renegade.

#2-Liberal Arts: Sold for $120,000 in the Fasig-Tipton digital sale in December, this 5-year-old makes his first start for new owner Osmel Nunez and trainer Heather Irion. Liberal Arts raced prior for trainers Robbie Medina and Brad Cox, last seen winning May’s Knicks Go overnight stakes at Churchill on Kentucky Derby Day – 8 races prior to Sovereignty and Journalism’s 1-2 finish in the Run for the Roses. Liberal Arts finished third in Oaklawn’s Southwest and Fifth Season Stakes and he brings local experience. Trainer Irion and jockey Reynier Arrieta both came into this racing week seeking their first victories of 2026.

#3-Sovereignty (pictured): The reigning Horse of the Year makes his long-awaited return to the races. The Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and Travers winner has been away since last August and aims to continue his 4-race winning streak. The Bill Mott trainee has earned $5.8 million and partners once again with Junior Alvarado. Mott won back-to-back Oaklawn Handicap editions with Cigar and Geri in 1995-’96. Sovereignty’s winter was spent at Payson Park in Florida and he’s had the customary, 6-workout plan toward his comeback. The Oaklawn Handicap will be his first trip to Hot Springs, but his 6 career wins have come over 3 different tracks (Churchill, Saratoga, Aqueduct). He carries top weight of 123 pounds under the handicap assignments.

#4-Duke of Duval: First of 2 entered here for trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the 2021 Oaklawn Handicap with Silver State. The local allowance winner since has cashed minor checks in the Mineshaft at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn’s local prep, the Essex. Keith Asmussen has the rider on this son of Arrogate.

#5-Journalism: The 2025 Preakness and Haskell winner makes his first start since a fourth-place finish in November’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. Trainer Michael McCarthy’s Santa Anita-based son of Arkansas Derby winner Curlin has 6 workouts in tow for the return. Journalism was runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes to Sovereignty and aims to defeat that rival for the first time. Two-time Oaklawn Handicap winner Jose Ortiz replaced Umberto Rispoli for last year’s Breeders’ Cup and has the return call. Journalism has earned $4.3 million with 6 wins coming at 5 different venues. McCarthy brought City of Light from California to win the 2018 Oaklawn Handicap.

#6-Publisher: Last year’s most famous maiden has found his groove at age 4, winning 3 straight races at Oaklawn since mid-February. The Steve Asmussen trainee’s runner-up effort in Oaklawn’s Arkansas Derby last March punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby and a non-threatening, 14th-place finish, part of 12 straight losses to open his career. Sire American Pharoah won the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby here en route to his 2015 Triple Crown sweep. Erik Asmussen has been aboard for the win streak and will be again Saturday.