Sovereignty Arrives at Oaklawn Ahead of Highly Anticipated Return

2025 Horse of the Year Set for 4-Year-Old Debut in Star-Studded Oaklawn Handicap

HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas (Special to Turf Diario).— The countdown is on, and Sovereignty has already begun to get acquainted with the stage for his much-anticipated return. The champion turned in his first move Wednesday at Oaklawn Park, galloping a mile in preparation for Saturday’s Oaklawn Handicap (G2).

Under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, the son of Into Mischief also visited the indoor paddock before heading out to train following the track renovation break.

“It was an easy day. He was ready to do something and happy to be out there,” Mott said, satisfied with how the star has adapted.

The Godolphin runner has not raced since his emphatic 10-length victory in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, the exclamation point on a remarkable 2025 campaign in which he won five of six starts, including the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Belmont Stakes (G1), earning honors as Champion 3-Year-Old Male and Horse of the Year.

Now, the challenge is twofold: making his 4-year-old debut and facing older horses for the first time.

“It was a long trip, but he shipped well, ate up and has good energy,” Mott added regarding his arrival from Florida on Tuesday.

The 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Handicap has drawn a compact but high-class field of six. From the rail, White Abarrio (Race Day), winner of the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), will break with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.

His main rival figures to be Journalism (Curlin), winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1) and runner-up to Sovereignty in both the Derby and Belmont, now to be ridden by Jose Ortiz for trainer Michael McCarthy.

The field is completed by Liberal Arts (Arrogate), Duke of Duval (Arrogate) and Publisher (American Pharoah), the latter pair representing the barn of Steve Asmussen.

Installed as a strong 4-5 favorite, Sovereignty enters a return surrounded by enormous expectations. Because it’s not just last year’s best horse coming back.

It’s a horse that looks poised to keep making history.