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First Mission rallies for the win in the Oaklawn Handicap (Coady Media)
Robert Yates/Oaklawn Park
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – First Mission’s latest audition for a first Grade 1 victory was a smashing success.
A homebred for famed Godolphin, First Mission took command in the final furlong to post a two-length victory over Banishing in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses Saturday evening at Oaklawn Park.
First Mission, the 7-5 favorite under Flavien Prat, covered 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in a meet-best 1:49.09. The Oaklawn Handicap was the fourth career graded stakes victory for First Mission, a 5-year-old son of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense.
The major 2025 objective for First Mission, according to trainer Brad Cox and Michael Banahan, bloodstock director for Godolphin, USA, is a Grade 1 victory. First Mission is 0 for 3 in Grade 1 events.
Banishing finished 5 ¾ lengths ahead of Skippylongstocking, who was bidding to become the first horse since Gay Revoke (1964 and 1965) to win consecutive runnings of the Oaklawn Handicap. Fourth-place finisher Disarm was followed, in order, by Alexander Helios, Red Route One, Tarantino and Go West Go.
First Mission ($4.80) turned the tables on Alexander Helios and Banishing after finishing behind those two rivals in his last start and season debut, the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 23 at Oaklawn.
First Mission tracked a solid pace in the Oaklawn Handicap, racing fourth along the inside much of the way. Skippylongstocking held a narrow lead through 6 furlongs in 1:10.88 before being headed by Banishing on the outside turning for home.
Approaching the eighth pole, Prat found room between Banishing (outside) and a tiring Skippylongstocking (inside) and First Mission surged to the lead.
First Mission ($2,060,170) eclipsed $2 million in career earnings with his sixth victory from 12 starts.
OAKLAWN HANDICAP QUOTES
WINNING JOCKEY FLAVIEN PRAT (FIRST MISSION): “The setup was perfect. He jumped well. I got myself into a good spot. Pace was honest and he was traveling well all the way around. Brad (Cox) told me that he was doing outstanding going into the race and I think he was right.”
WINNING TRAINER BRAD COX-VIA PHONE (FIRST MISSION): “Look, I thought he beat a quality group of horses today. He did it the right way. He beat some really good horses by a few lengths. I thought it was a big-time performance at a mile and an eighth. I think it sets him up well for the rest of the year and can give us some confidence, take some swings in some Grade 1s again. Maybe he’s hitting his best stride at the age of 5. He’s certainly has trained the part. We had a lot of confidence that he would run a big race today.”
