April 17 (UPI) -- With all due respect to Saudi Arabia and Dubai, the race of the year, at least so far, is set for this weekend in Arkansas.
Sovereignty, the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers and Jim Dandy winner and Horse of the Year, makes his long-awaited return to the track Saturday in the Oaklawn Handicap, facing old rival Journalism in an epic early-season showdown.
The 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, White Abarrio, is in the field, too.
The clash slots in perfectly three weeks before the Kentucky Derby, which, based on the final round of preps, also should be a pip.
International racing is gearing up again, too, with Japan set for its 2,000 Guineas on Sunday and Hong Kong's Champions Day just another week down the road.
