Tough task awaits First Mission in G1 Stephen Foster Stakes

First Mission hopes to confirm his place among North America’s top older middle-distance stars in a blockbuster edition of the G1 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday, 28 June.

The nine-furlong contest has attracted a stellar field that includes Dubai World Cup hero Hit Show, Breeders’ Cup Classic scorer Sierra Leone, the 2024 Kentucky Derby victor Mystik Dan and recent G1 winner Mindframe.

First Mission was fourth in the Stephen Foster 12 months ago but disappointed on his two other G1 appearances last year, failing to run any race at Gulfstream Park in the Pegasus World Cup and fading on a muddy track in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga.

Trained by Brad Cox, the Street Sense entire has posted four Graded Stakes wins, including a four-length verdict at Churchill Downs in the 2024 G2 Alysheba Stakes and comfortably taking the G2 Oaklawn Handicap on his latest start in April.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “First Mission is coming into the Stephen Foster in excellent shape and Brad couldn’t be more pleased with him. He had a very nice breeze last Saturday, which should set him up nicely to take on the heavy hitters of the older colt’s division.

“This is a strong renewal of the Stephen Foster featuring last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, the Kentucky Derby winner and 2025 Dubai World Cup winner, plus the winner of last month’s G1 Churchill Downs Stakes.

“We expect a big performance from First Mission and hope that this will be his coming out party at G1 level.”

Siesta Key makes his three-year-old return for the same trainer in the American Derby later on the card.

The Into Mischief colt, who is out of dual G1 winner Cocoa Beach, scored on debut before taking the Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Colonial Downs but could only finish eighth in the G2 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland’s Fall Meet.