Oaklawn Handicap Picks – Horse Racing Odds, Betting Preview, and Predictions (Apr 18)
- When: Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 7:20 PM ET
- Where: Oaklawn Park, Arkansas
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV
An early-season treat for horse racing fans is set for April 18, as the first two from last year’s Kentucky Derby collide on their seasonal returns in the Oaklawn Handicap. As well as the inclusions of Journalism and Sovereignty, former Breeders’ Cup Classic hero White Abarrio adds further intrigue. Find the latest horse racing odds, and our Oaklawn Handicap picks here.
Oaklawn Handicap Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sovereignty | -120 |
| Journalism | +175 |
| White Abarrio | +550 |
| Publisher | +1200 |
| Liberal Arts | +8000 |
| Duke Of Duval | +8000 |
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 1/8 Miles |
| Purse | $1,250,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | D. Wayne Lukas (4) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Pat Day (5) |
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Oaklawn Handicap: Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | First Mission | Flavien Prat | Brad Cox |
| 2024 | Skippylongstocking | Jose Ortiz | Saffie Joseph Jr |
| 2023 | Proxy | Joel Rosario | Michael Stidham |
| 2022 | Last Samurai | Jon Court | Dallas Stewart |
Race Preview
This weekend’s G2 Oaklawn Handicap is effectively a Grade One contest, with two of last season’s standout three-year-olds colliding on seasonal return. Both Journalism and Sovereignty will have an end target of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but an opportunity to see the stars re-oppose is mouthwatering at this early stage of the year.
It goes without saying, but all the focus will be on William Mott-trained Sovereignty, who was the winner of last year’s Kentucky Derby, beating Journalism by a length. That success was followed up with faultless wins in the G1 Belmont Stakes and G1 Travers Stakes, before the superstar Godolphin colt was forced to miss the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
However, getting 4lb from Sovereignty could be key to Journalism’s chances this weekend. The Michael McCarthy runner is a five-time stakes winner, and more than held his own in the Classic last year when fourth behind Forever Young. The four-year-old showed flashes of brilliance when winning the G1 Preakness and G1 Haskell Stakes. But, his tendency to come from deep often sees him go close without getting his nose in front.
Saffie Joseph Jr-trained White Abarrio is one of the most popular horses in training, and he will have race fitness on his side after being narrowly denied by just under two lengths in the G1 Pegasus World Cup. Has been patchy on track since winning the Classic in 2023, but if bringing his A-game, he is a rock-solid chance.
Liberal Arts and Duke Of Duval likely have too much to find on ratings to play a role. But, Publisher is a fascinating contender for Steven Asmussen. The four-year-old is winless in six attempts in stakes company, but he looked to have taken his form to the next level on reappearance when beating Echo Again by over a length in the American Pharoah Overnight Stakes. Still needs to step up after finishing 32 lengths behind Sovereignty in the Derby.
Oaklawn Handicap Picks
A red-hot renewal of the Oaklawn Handicap is set for this weekend, and last season’s one-two from the Derby look set to stamp their mark in the division. However, the narrow edge is given to Sovereignty, who won on reappearance impressively last year, and holds the advantage over Journalism based on head-to-head clashes.
Free Pick:
