Godolphin’s multiple Grade 1-winning Kentucky-bred Cody’s Wish brings a six-race win streak into Saturday’s 96th running of the $1 million Whitney S. (G1) for older horses at Saratoga on Aug. 5.
Named for Make-A-Wish Foundation recipient Cody Dorman, Cody’s Wish seeks a seventh consecutive visit to the winner’s circle in the Whitney, a “Win and You’re In” for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in November. Winner of last year’s Forego S. (G1) at Saratoga en route to winning the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at season’s end, Cody’s Wish boasts a record of 13-9-1-3 and tops the Whitney field in earnings with $2,328,530 and has won his last five races all in Grade 1 company.
A bay son of Curlin, Cody’s Wish enters the Whitney off a 3 ¼-length triumph in the Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan H. (G1), where he equaled a career-high 112 Beyer Speed figure. With a win in the Whitney—his first start going nine furlongs since a third-place finish as a maiden in 2021—Cody’s Wish will become the first horse since Godolphin’s Kentucky-bred Frosted to sweep the Metropolitan Mile and Whitney double.
“We have reason to believe he could do it,” said trainer Bill Mott on his charge’s ability to stretch out in distance. “He’s come a long way. He was terribly green when we ran him at three in his first few races.
“Every time you bring a horse over like this, you stand the risk of getting beat,” Mott continued. “There’s always somebody that’s an up-and-coming horse and we certainly respect all the competition. This is a very good horse and hopefully, for our sake, he can go on. There’s a great story that goes with him with Cody Dorman, so the whole scenario turns out to be very special.”
Cody’s Wish, who is out of the Tapit mare Dance Card, drew post position No. 6 in the compact Whitney field and will square off against fellow Kentucky-breds in: Charge It (post No. 2); Giant Game (post No. 3); Last Samurai (post No. 4); and White Abarrio (post No. 5).
The Whitney day program also features the $500,000 Test S. (G1) and the $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1).