all in Racing

In a race heralded as the return of the rivalry of last year's top 3-year-olds Sovereignty and Journalism, it was 7-year-old White Abarrio who rolled past his younger rivals in the stretch to win the $1.25 million Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap April 18 at

Each spring America’s Best Racing compiles a slideshow with photos of the talented cast of 3-year-olds on target for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. 

Up to 20 lightly raced 3-year-old Thoroughbreds get loaded into the starting gate with somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 fans (many well-lubricated) whipped into a frenzy. Approximately two minutes after the horses begin the cavalry charge down the stretch for the first time, a new Kentucky Derby winner is feted in the winner’s circle.

The Longines Kentucky Oaks has evolved into the most important North American race restricted to 3-year-old fillies, and the 1 1/8-mile dirt race will be the marquee event on Friday, May 1, at Churchill Downs.

BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his weekly Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.

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