Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Oaklawn Handicap

Apr 14, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Sovereignty wins the 151st Kentucky Derby. (Photo by Coady Media)

A star-studded field of six will run 1 1/8 miles on the Oaklawn Park dirt in Saturday’s lucrative, $1.25 million Oaklawn H. (G2). The much-anticipated race attracted the two horses that combined to sweep the Triple Crown in 2025, led by Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1) superstar, Sovereignty.

Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bill Mott, the four-year-old colt went five-for-six as a three-year-old last year, which also included a 10-length romp in the historic Travers (G1) at Saratoga in August. Owned and bred by Godolphin, the superb son of perennially leading sire Into Mischief has been back in steady training since the middle of February and has not missed a beat in his preparations for his 2026 debut. The powerful Kentucky-bred will be rolling home from off the pace once again with regular rider Junior Alvarado in the irons.

SOVEREIGNTY WINS THE KENTUCKY DERBY! 🌹

Bill Mott trains and @JuniorandKellyA was aboard for @godolphin! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/wOzqOFVRkb

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 3, 2025

Preakness (G1) winner Journalism amassed more than $4.1 million from his eight races in 2025 and has been training in a consistent and strong fashion leading up to his first run of the year. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the four-year-old son of standout sire Curlin finished second best in his other two Triple Crown attempts last year, the Kentucky Derby and Belmont, and he could be even better this season. The bay horse capped his fantastic sophomore year with a commendable fourth in the incredibly deep Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar in November and seems all set for Saturday. Jose Ortiz, who rode the colt last time out, will be in the saddle.

The $7.7 million earner White Abarrio adds to the star power of the field from the rail for trainer Saffie Joseph. By Race Day, the ageless seven-year-old was a brave runner-up in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park in January while making his first run of the season, and the accomplished Kentucky-bred will move forward in his second appearance since August in this dynamic event. The gray horse has the rail post for his local debut and will have Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the saddle.

Expert Pick

A trifecta with #3 Sovereignty on top of #1 White Abarrio and #5 Journalism in the 2026 Oaklawn Handicap is the Best Bet of the Week.