First Mission hinting at big 2025 campaign; Oaklawn Handicap up next

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – First Mission indicated he could be sitting on a significant 5-year-old campaign last weekend, when he was just edged in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park in his first start since August.

First Mission came rolling through the stretch to be part of a three-way photo, with Alexander Helios coming out the winner from between horses and Banishing finishing second along the rail. First Mission was beaten a neck, and all three horses earned Beyer Speed Figures of 102.

“I would have liked to have won, but it was a good effort,” said Brad Cox, who trains First Mission. “His numbers came back good. He was very close to getting there. It was a positive run, a positive run for sure.”

First Mission is a son of Street Sense who races for his breeder, Godolphin. He was to have shipped back to Fair Grounds on Wednesday.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

“I think we’re going to target the Oaklawn Handicap as his next start,” Cox said.

The Grade 2, $1.25 million race is April 19.

Alexander Helios also is a candidate for that race, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said after the Razorback.

Banishing set the pace in the Razorback Handicap off a trio of sprint wins between Churchill Downs and Oaklawn. He was stepping up in class for the Razorback, which drew 14.

“I thought he ran a spectacular race,” trainer David Jacobson said. “He really stood up to the occasion.”

Jacobson said while the horse will be considered for the Oaklawn Handicap, there are other options that might make more sense for Banishing, who is a long-range candidate for the Grade 1 Churchill Downs over seven furlongs in early May. One of those options is the Grade 3, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile on March 29.

“With his tactical speed, that might be the perfect spot for him and set him up for the race at Churchill,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson plans to set up shop at Churchill after the close of Oaklawn and also said he’s likely to have a division in New York.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.