Sovereignty

Journalism Confirmed For Apr. 18 Oaklawn Handicap; Rematch With Sovereignty Possible

The 2025 GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) will ship to Hot Springs for the Apr. 18 running of the GII Oaklawn Handicap where the colt could face reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief), according to a Friday post on X by co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. The tweet read, "JOURNALISM turned in a strong 5-panel move at Santa Anita Park in 1:00 3/5 this a.m. and has been declared all set by Michael McCarthy to make his seasonal debut in next Saturday's GII $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap with...

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NBC Sports' Presentation of Kentucky Derby 151 Earns Three Sports Emmy Nominations

Among a list of 25 nominations in the Sports Emmy Award category, NBC Universal has landed three for NBC Sports' presentation of Kentucky Derby 151, the organization announced via press release. The three categories are Outstanding Live Sports Special: Non-Championship Event; Outstanding Sports Camera Work: Short Form; and Outstanding Sports Writing: Short Form. It was the third consecutive year that the network has garnered more than 10 nominations and it marks the eighth time in the past 16 years that an NBC Sports' horse racing presentation has been nominated for...

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Journalism at Saratoga
Journalism 'Training Great' For Intended 2026 Debut

At the OBS March Sale, trainer Michael McCarthy confirmed that his prize pupil Journalism (Curlin) continues to work well out in California as the colt prepares for his 4-year-old debut. "He's training great," McCarthy told TDN. "I don't see a whole lot of difference in him this spring compared to last. He's holding his weight well. Obviously, he's put some on since having a little bit of a break. He's training forwardly." McCarthy said that Journalism has drilled two good half-mile works at Santa Anita Park. "We're going to work...

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Sovereignty at Saratoga
Bill Mott Outlines Plans for Sovereignty, Knightsbridge, Baeza, Chief Wallabee

Fresh off an action-packed Saturday at Gulfstream Park, Bill Mott wasted no time returning to the routine at his Payson Park base. The Hall of Fame trainer was back on the track the following morning to oversee Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) progressing toward his 4-year-old debut. The Godolphin homebred worked four furlongs in company in :49.80. Mott described the breeze as "workmanlike," noting that it was exactly the type of effort he has come to expect from the three-time Grade I winner. "He's not a spectacular workhorse...

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Sovereignty at Saratoga
Sovereignty Works at Payson, Targets Oaklawn Handicap

Reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) worked a half-mile at Payson Park on Sunday morning. Also named the Eclipse Award champion 3-year-old of the 2025 season, the Godolphin homebred covered four furlongs in the official time of :49.64. According to the DRF, the colt worked in tandem with GSP Royal Majesty (GB) (Frankel {GB}), finishing a length ahead of his stablemate while galloping out five furlongs in 1:03.88. "I thought he looked great," Bill Mott told DRF Sunday. "He's been off a while. You'd want six or eight...

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White Abarrio at Saratoga
White Abarrio To Target Oaklawn Handicap

The Saffie Joseph Jr-trained White Abarrio (Race Day) will ship to Oaklawn to target the GII Oaklawn Handicap April 18, his trainer said Wednesday. Detailing next starts for his stable stars, Joseph said, "White Abarrio is going to come for the Oaklawn Handicap. That's the plan. Dubai is still in play for Skippy, but we haven't come up with a plan yet." Last seen finishing runner-up to stablemate Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) in the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park last month, White Abarrio also owns a win in the 2023...

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Four Racing Halters Part Of CASA Charity Auction

Halters worn by Storm Cat, Sovereignty, Good Cheer and Gun Runner will feature as part of the Bourbon & Bayou silent auction held by the nonprofit child advocacy organization CASA of Lexington. Each halter comes with a certificate of authenticity and is valued at $1,000. Bidding is available here opened Wednesday and continues until 9:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27. Also included with Gun Runner's halter is an exclusive VIP tour for up to 10 people of Three Chimneys Stallion Complex. The silent auction is part of CASA of Lexington's...

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Sovereignty and Neil Poznansky at Saratoga
Sovereignty Is Back On Work Tab; Could Resurface In The Oaklawn Handicap Or The Alysheba

Unraced since winning the Aug. 23 GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga, Sovereignty (Into Mischief) got back to work Sunday morning at Payson Park in Florida, working three furlongs in 37.40 breezing. It was the first workout this year for the 2025 Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Champion. "We've got him back on a regular training schedule," trainer Bill Mott said. "We're a ways away from sorting out exactly where he will run. There are a couple of races in mind. We don't think he'll be ready until April, so...

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Down the Shedrow with Johnny Burke

The constellation of stars in Johnny Burke's barn at Keeneland has shifted now that champions Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Immersive (Nyquist), as well as 2025 GI Kentucky Oaks victress Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), have shipped south to Payson Park, but the shedrow is just as busy as ever. For Burke, the departure of an elite trio simply makes room for the next wave of talent. Burke, who trained publicly out of The Thoroughbred Center for 15 years, has headed up Godolphin's pre-training and rehabilitation program at Keeneland since 2006. The...

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2026 Mating Plans: Greg Tramontin

Based in Miramar Beach, Florida, Greg Tramontin of Greenwell Thoroughbreds purchased what was formerly known as Siena Farm outside of Paris, Kentucky and the breeder/stable owner has also continued to add to his broodmare band. At the recent Keeneland January Sale, Tramontin went to $2-million to acquire GISW Simply in Front (Summer Front) who will visit Into Mischief, and he also purchased for $550,000 Closing Statement (Blame) who is entered in Not This Time's book for this spring. Tramontin sat down with TDN to offer highlights from his 2026 matings...

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Halters for Gun Runner, Sovereignty and Good Cheer Featured in Online Charity Auction

Racing fans can bid to own a piece of Thoroughbred history in an online silent auction benefiting abused and neglected children. Halters for Sovereignty, Good Cheer, and Gun Runner are available in the Bourbon & the Bayou silent auction, run by the nonprofit child advocacy organization CASA of Lexington. Bidding opened today and continues until 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 27. The silent auction is part of CASA of Lexington's annual fundraiser, Bourbon & the Bayou. The event raises funds that provide advocacy for hundreds of abused and neglected children in...

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Eclipse Award Champ Shisospicy Has Spiked A Fever And Will Miss Race In Saudi Arabia

The Eclipse-Award winning female sprinter Shisospicy (Mitole) spiked a fever following a recent workout, which will cause her to miss the G2 1351 Turf Sprint scheduled for Feb. 14 in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian race was supposed to kick off her 2026 campaign, and Shisospicy was scheduled to leave for there on Feb. 2. The Blood-Horse was the first to report the story. "She spiked a little bit of a fever," said Rich Mendez, who heads the Morplay Racing partnership that owns the 4-year-old filly. "If you look at...

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