White Abarrio Confirmed for Stephen Foster Rematch With Sovereignty
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Racing fans won’t have to wait long for another showdown between White Abarrio and Sovereignty.
After defeating last year’s Kentucky Derby winner by two lengths in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 18, White Abarrio has been confirmed to make his next start in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 27.
“It’s a Grade 1, it fits well timing‑wise, a mile and an eighth, same distance — it works well for him,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said.
Versatile Tactics Worked at Oaklawn
Expected to set the pace in the Oaklawn Handicap, White Abarrio instead came from off the pace after Sovereignty surprisingly showed early speed in his first start since last August’s Grade 1 Travers. That race was also Sovereignty’s first try against older horses.
“Superb ride by Irad [Ortiz Jr.],” Joseph said. “He had to make a clutch decision in a split second and it was the winning move — no one expected that. It put [Sovereignty] in a compromised spot where, off a layoff, he had to run the whole way. You can probably get away with coming off a layoff fitness‑wise if you don’t have to run the whole way. It worked to our benefit and Abarrio ran huge.”
Joseph said White Abarrio shipped back to Gulfstream Park after the race and came out of it in top condition.
“We’re in a good spot right now as far as the horse goes,” he added. “We’re doing super and hopefully he can stay that way.”
Return to Churchill Downs
The Stephen Foster will mark White Abarrio’s first start at Churchill Downs since the 2022 Kentucky Derby, where he finished 16th. The Oaklawn Handicap was his 11th career win from 26 starts and boosted his earnings to $8.4 million.
Joseph noted the confirmation while on the backside at Churchill Downs on Monday, just as another of his stable stars, Skippylongstocking, arrived from Florida. The Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup winner over White Abarrio in January is slated to run in Friday’s Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes.
Sovereignty Gears Up for the Foster
Following the Oaklawn Handicap, Sovereignty — last year’s Kentucky Derby champion and Horse of the Year — shipped to Churchill Downs, where he has been training regularly during the 15‑minute Derby‑Oaks training window.
Trainer Bill Mott plans to keep him in Kentucky into next week before likely sending him to Saratoga to continue preparing for the Stephen Foster.
“I’m certainly not backing down from anybody,” Mott said. “I’m looking forward to running in the Stephen Foster and realize it’s going to be a tough field.”
Magnitude a Possible Addition
Among others under consideration for the Stephen Foster is Magnitude, winner of last month’s Dubai World Cup, where he defeated Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Forever Young.
