First Mission seeks confidence boost at Monmouth Park

First Mission bids for a fifth Graded Stakes win in the G3 Philip H Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park, USA, on Saturday, 16 August.

The Brad Cox-trained five-year-old drops down in class following a rallying third in the G1 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs in late June, when he made the running before being caught in the straight by Mindframe and Sierra Leone.

Although yet to score in G1 company, First Mission has won four of his six races at G2 and G3 level, placing on his other two appearances. The Street Sense entire’s record includes decisive wins in last season’s G2 Alysheba Stakes and this year’s G2 Oaklawn Handicap.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “First Mission has had a nice break after his gallant effort in the Stephen Foster and gets the second half of his season underway here.

“Brad is very pleased with him and this should be a nice confidence booster before we try to get a G1 on his resume. Florent Geroux resumes his partnership with the horse and we expect him to add another Graded victory to his win column.”