Smart Mission will miss Woodbine Oaks

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - After Smart Mission swept to victory at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 21 in her career debut, the half-sister to Grade 1 winner and millionaire Irish Mission immediately became a top prospect for the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks on June 12. But trainer Malcolm Pierce said that Smart Mission will miss the Oaks after having a chip removed from her knee shortly after her first race.

“She’s needing some time on the farm in Ocala,” Pierce said. “She’s not going to be ready for the Oaks, so we’re giving her a little break right now, and she’ll be fine by midseason.”

Pierce said the surgery went well, and that Smart Mission would require another 30 to 45 days on the farm before she could join his string at Woodbine.

“She’s going to come back as good as ever, but it’s disappointing that we are going to miss the Oaks with her,” he said.