Oaklawn Handicap Showdown Likely to Shake Up NTRA Poll

Despite having not made their first starts of the year yet, Sovereignty  and Journalism  have managed to maintain a place on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll based on their success in 2025. Now, they will get the chance to justify that respect April 18 during the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2).

The reigning Horse of the Year after victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1), and Travers Stakes (G1), Sovereignty retained the No. 1 spot in the NTRA poll from its debut in January until Magnitude  toppled Forever Young  in the Dubai World Cup (G1) March 28.

Now ranked second behind Magnitude, Sovereignty still received 11 first-place votes from the national media who vote on the weekly poll. The Godolphin homebred will likely take back the No. 1 spot with a victory Saturday.

Meanwhile, last year's Preakness Stakes (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Journalism has been floating around the middle of the top 10 throughout the year, and enters the Oaklawn Handicap ranked seventh.

The two are the only members of the top 10 unraced in 2026, and only Baeza  has also received NTRA poll votes this week without starting this year.

Both will face tough customer White Abarrio , whose 10th-place ranking means half of the Oaklawn Handicap's six-horse field are represented on the NTRA leaderboard.

Renegade  remains No. 1 over Commandment  and Further Ado  in the NTRA's Top 3-Year-Old Poll with less than three weeks to the Kentucky Derby. The only change among the sophomores is the addition of Incredibolt , as he is now tied for 10th with Fulleffort  after ranking 11th last week.

See the full Week 12 rankings.