Tough task awaits First Mission in Group 1 Stephen Foster Stakes

Gulf Today

3 hours ago

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. 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 US, 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.
Elsewhere, Speedy Godolphin galloper Austmarr returns to Eagle Farm for Saturday's G3 WJ Healy Stakes looking to atone for an unlucky defeat in the Listed Lightning Handicap three weeks ago. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare, who has run all her best races from in front, appeared to dwell slightly at the start in the Lightning and then overraced three-wide back in the field under jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
Austmarr turned for home in ninth place but was still able to accelerate when McEvoy found clear running and only just failed to overhaul the winner, Vodka Martini, in the final 50m of the 1,000m scamper.
Back to 1,200m on Saturday, and with a clean getaway from her ideal barrier one, Austmarr only needs to replicate her Rosehill Gardens victory three starts back to claim a third victory at Stakes level.
Austmarr burst from the gates at Rosehill and led all the way to win the G3 Birthday Card over 1,200m on 22 March with McEvoy in the saddle.
The daughter of Exosphere was then caught wide early when she tried to repeat that effort in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville five weeks later before being beaten 4.6 lengths by Charm Stone.
Freshened-up prior to the Lightning, Austmarr again showed her quality with a great finish and, with even luck, must be one the leading Healy Stakes contenders on the limit weight.
Her performance could decide whether the five-time winner races on next season.
The Freedmans will also saddle-up promising three-year-old Trembles for Godolphin in the Sportsbet Race Previews Handicap over 1,000m at Caulfield.
A winner at Mornington and Sandown in recent weeks, the daughter of Too Darn Hot and former G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake will be chasing her winning hat-trick with Jye McNeil in the saddle.