Brad Cox's horse, First Mission, trots into Stephen Foster Stakes as favorite

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Saturday is the biggest day of the summer racing schedule at Churchill Downs.

The Stephen Foster Stakes happens with a pair of grade two's and the grade one Stephen Foster Stakes for top older horses.

The 6-to-5 morning line favorite is First Mission, a son of Street Sense, trained by Brad Cox. First Mission has won five of eight career starts including the grade two Alysheba at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day where he got by the pacesetter, T.O. Saint Denis in the stretch. Florent Geroux will again get the mount as he's been aboard for the last two starts, both of them victories.

Cox said he's been pointing First Mission toward this race for quite some time looking toward a run in the Breeder's Cup Classic this fall.

"And I feel like the first half of the year is probably the most important race in regards to the handicap division in America," Cox said. "And then, you know, you have the Whitney and some other races, the Pacific Classic, ultimately probably provide you with the Breeder's Cup favorite. I think he is one of the top horses in the Division."