First Mission looks to turn tables in G2 Oaklawn Handicap

First Mission hopes to reverse the form with Alexander Helios and Banishing as the trio take on defending champion Skippylongstocking in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday, 19 April.

Trained by Brad Cox, First Mission makes a second consecutive start at Oaklawn Park after closing strongly to go down by a head and a neck to Alexander Helios and Banishing in February’s G3 Razorback Handicap.

First Mission easily won last year’s G3 Essex Handicap on his only other Oaklawn Park appearance, with the Street Sence entire subsequently dominating the G2 Alysheba Stakes on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs.

Pitched into G1 company for his other two starts in 2024, First Mission faded close home to finish fourth in the Stephen Foster Stakes before coming home seventh on a muddy track in the Whitney Stakes.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “First Mission heads into the $1.25m G2 Oaklawn Handicap in excellent condition. He has done nothing but delight Brad with the way he has been training and breezing since his seasonal return in the Razorback.

“It is a very well-matched field with multiple millionaires in it. Flavien Prat is going to ride him for the first time, so hopefully they will get their partnership off on a winning note. This could be a nice springboard to a successful campaign.”