A Year Older, Sovereignty and Journalism Are Reigniting Their Horse Racing Rivalry

In a rare matchup in modern racing history, two of the best 3-year olds of the previous season, Sovereignty and Journalism open their campaigns as 4-year-olds against one another on Saturday, renewing a rivalry forged on the biggest stages in 2025.Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, challenges Preakness winner Journalism and four other colts in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park.It’s the official beginning of 2026 season for Sovereignty and Journalism, and their first races against older horses, but it feels more like a continuation of their turf battles that defined the 2025 Triple Crown series.“It’s great to see these two wonderful horses come back at four years old in a day when so many horses do get retired to stud,” Matthew DeSantis said on the NYRA Bets podcast. “These two horses are coming back, renewing a rivalry.”Journalism is looking for revenge and to prove himself a worthy competitor to Sovereignty. A year ago, Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, entered the Kentucky Derby as the favorite, having captured the Santa Anita Derby with authority.But in the final furlong at Churchill Downs, Sovereignty surged past him, announcing himself on racing’s biggest stage. Rather than pursue the Triple Crown, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott elected to skip the Preakness and rest Sovereignty for the Belmont Stakes, a decision that opened the door for Journalism to win at Pimlico, delivering one of the most memorable stretch runs of the season.Sovereignty and Journalism met again weeks later in the Belmont Stakes, contested at Saratoga. Once again, Journalism held command entering the stretch. But a rested Sovereignty overwhelmed him late, drawing clear in decisive fashion and leaving little doubt about his standing atop the division.But was it a fair fight?Journalism was the only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races and looked tired at the end of the Belmont, while a well-rested Sovereignty looked strong down the stretch. At the time, it appeared the rivalry had reached its natural conclusion. In an era when top colts are often retired after their 3-year-old seasons to begin lucrative stud careers, few expected Sovereignty to return. His owners and trainers have elected a different path though not without caution.“There’s a little pressure that comes along with it,” Mr. Mott said of bringing the colt back. “You want to keep his racing record intact. You want to keep it looking good, and you don’t want to make any mistakes because he’s a very good horse and we don’t want to tarnish what he’s done already.”So is Journalism. While Sovereignty added a win at the 2025 Travers Stakes where he outclassed the field by 10 lengths at Saratoga, Journalism claimed the Haskell Stakes before finishing fourth at the Breeders’ Cup Classic where Sovereignty was a late scratch due to a fever.“He’s a horse that has always been very professional,” Mr. McCarthy said of Journalism. “He’s well-school with different types of situations and different racetracks. He’s just been a professional all the time.”The Oaklawn Handicap for horses 4 years old and up will be contested at 1 1/8 miles, shorter than the 1 1/4-mile distances that defined their Triple Crown meetings. That could play to Journalism’s strengths, as he has twice carried the lead deep into the stretch against his rival before being overtaken.Adding further intrigue is the presence of White Abarrio, the accomplished 7-year-old who brings both experience and tactical speed to the field. With more than $7.7 million in career earnings, White Abarrio represents a formidable challenger — and a reminder that racing’s narratives rarely unfold as scripted.Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., White Abarrio, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly at Gulfstream Park. If he secures an early advantage from the rail, he could complicate the anticipated duel between the younger stars.Though Sovereignty has been unraced since August, he enters Saturday’s race as an early 4/5 favorite with Journalism at 5/2 and White Abarrio at 7/2. Other entries include: Liberal Arts (15/1), Duke of Duval (20/1) and Publisher (15/1). Horse Racing insider Kaylee Shapiro made a bold prediction on the NYRA Bet podcast. “Once Sovereignty gets rolling there’s no stopping him,” she said. “I think he’s ready and if he wins this, we will not see this horse lose a race this year.”

A Year Older, Sovereignty and Journalism Are Reigniting Their Horse Racing Rivalry

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