First Mission back to his best in G2 Oaklawn Handicap

First Mission booked a return to G1 company with a decisive victory in the G2 Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday, 19 April. 

The Street Sense entire was chasing a fourth Graded Stakes success and returning to Oaklawn Park having finished a close third on his five-year-old return in February’s G3 Razorback Handicap. 

With Flavien Prat on board for the first time, the Brad Cox-trained First Mission broke on terms and soon settled behind the leading trio of Go West Go, Skippylongstocking and Banishing. 

Skippylongstocking and Banishing duelled for the lead as Go West Go faded at the halfway point, with Alexander Helios moving up on the outside of First Mission as the front four went clear. 

First Mission stayed on strongly entering the straight and darted between Skippylongstocking and Banishing to hit the front entering the final furlong. The Godolphin homebred quickened away to score by two lengths over Banishing, who crossed the line nearly six lengths clear of Skippylongstocking. 

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “This is what we've been waiting to see First Mission do, especially draw off like he did today against a quality field. I feel like maybe this could be his year. 

“We were looking forward to keeping First Mission in training and maybe see if we can win a G1 down the road with him or maybe a couple of them. This was his best race he has run up to this point and we are so excited seeing him be able to do that." 

Brad Cox said: “I thought First Mission beat a quality group of horses today. He did it the right way and 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 to take some swings in some G1s again. Maybe he’s hitting his best stride at the age of five. He has certainly trained the part. We had a lot of confidence that he would run a big race today.”