Cody's Wish

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cody's Wish
Cody's Wish running past Accretive to win the Vosburgh Stakes
SireCurlin
GrandsireSmart Strike
DamDance Card
DamsireTapit
SexStallion
FoaledMay 3, 2018[1]
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederGodolphin
OwnerGodolphin
TrainerWilliam I. Mott
Record16: 11 - 1 - 4
EarningsUS$3,106,030[2]
Major wins
Forego Stakes (2022)
Westchester Stakes (2022)
Churchill Downs Stakes (2023)
Metropolitan Handicap (2023)
Vosburgh Stakes (2023)
Breeders' Cup wins:
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (2022, 2023)
Awards
American Horse of the Year (2023)
American Champion Older Dirt Male Horse (2023)
Secretariat Vox Populi Award (2022, 2023)
Last updated on January 25, 2024

Cody's Wish (born 3 May 2018) is a retired multiple Grade I winning American Thoroughbred racehorse and the American Horse of the Year for 2023.[3] He is a two-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. In 2022 he was a winner in four of his five starts–all stakes races–including two Grade I victories in the Forego Stakes at Saratoga and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland. In 2023 he again won four of his five starts, winning the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap, Grade I Churchill Downs Stakes and Grade II Vosburgh Stakes before defending his title in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita Park. Named after Cody Dorman, a native of Richmond, Kentucky who was born with Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome and had attended several races throughout the horse’s career, Cody’s Wish was the winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award in 2022 and 2023.

Background[edit]

Cody's Wish's sire is Curlin, recipient of American Horse of the Year honors in 2007 and 2008. The damsire of Cody's Wish is Tapit, consistently among the leading sires in North America, having sired such champions as Untapable, Frosted, Essential Quality, and Flightline. He was bred in Kentucky by owner Godolphin Racing.

Trained by Bill Mott, Cody's Wish is named after the late Cody Dorman, a native of Richmond, Kentucky who was born with Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome. As a result of the syndrome, Dorman used a wheelchair and communicated with a tablet. In 2018, while on a visit to Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm in Versailles sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Keeneland, he met a young foal by Curlin who immediately interacted with him and laid his head on Dorman's lap. The weanling was later named Cody's Wish in Dorman's honor.[4][5] On November 5, 2023, one day after Cody's Wish's repeat victory at the Breeders' Cup, Cody Dorman suffered a medical event while returning home to Kentucky and died at the age of 17. His death was announced by his family the following day.[6]

Racing career[edit]

2021: three-year-old season[edit]

Cody's Wish began his racing career at the age of three. After three third-place finishes at Belmont Park and Saratoga, Cody's Wish broke his maiden in October at Churchill Downs going one mile, with his namesake Cody Dorman in attendance.[7]

Cody's Wish finished the season with two more victories at Churchill in allowance company.

2022: four-year-old season[edit]

Cody's Wish's 2022 campaign began with a second-place finish in the Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. He was then sent to Belmont Park's Westchester Stakes in May, beating the short 5-horse field by an easy five lengths.[8]

After returning to Churchill to narrowly win the Hanshin Stakes, Cody's Wish was entered in the Grade I Forego Stakes at Saratoga going seven furlongs. After misbehaving in the starting gate, Cody's Wish settled toward the back of the seven-horse field, eventually roused by Junior Alvarado around the turn. He entered the stretch seven wide off the rail and rallied to upset champion Jackie's Warrior, who was softened up after being pressed for the lead, by 1 1/2 lengths.[9]

News of Cody Dorman, and the horse named after him, became more prominent in the period leading up to Cody's Wish's next start in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland.[4] When asked about Cody's Wish's chances before the race, Dorman replied "He will win."[10] Cody's Wish started from post 6 in the nine-horse Dirt Mile field, with Dorman allowed to watch the race from the winner's circle.[10] Again breaking slowly and traveling at the rear of the field, Cody's Wish once again rallied while wide on the final turn, eventually passing Cyberknife in the stretch and winning by a head.[11] NBC Sports race caller Larry Collmus summed up the finish with these words: "The wish has come true! That one's for you, Cody!"[12]

Cody's Wish's was named the 2022 winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award, which recognizes horses whose racing excellence best resounded with the public.[5] Dorman was awarded with the Big Sport of Turfdom Award by the Thoroughbred Publicists of America, which is given annually to those that enhance coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists.[13]

Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin's U.S. operations, confirmed after the Breeders' Cup that Cody's Wish would remain in training for a 2023 campaign.[14]

2023: five-year-old season[edit]

In his first race as a five-year-old, the favorite Cody's Wish won the 2023 Churchill Downs Stakes in his fifth victory in a row. The NBC broadcast included a feature on Cody's Wish and Dorman,[15] who attended the race.[16]

On June 10, Cody's Wish was the 13/20 odds-on favorite in the GI Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park. Jockey Junior Alvarado, aboard Cody's Wish, quickly settled him as they raced eighth early while Dr. Schivel, Slow Down Andy, and Hoist the Gold dueled through a quarter-mile in :22.76. Hoist the Gold would open a half-length advantage through :45.86 when Cody's Wish unfurled his best, sweeping by rivals five-wide on his way to the wire with a 3+1⁄4 lengths victory in a time of 1:34.36.[17]

Cody's Wish was then pointed to the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, his first race at the 1+1⁄8-mile distance in two years, on August 5. With Dorman again in attendance, Cody's Wish broke last in the six-horse field and closed to within four lengths of the lead down the backstretch. Although Cody's Wish moved again on the far turn, it was not enough, according to Mott, who said that "it wasn't the same acceleration that you saw at shorter distances. It was a totally different type of run." Cody's Wish finished third, beaten ten lengths by the Richard Dutrow-trained White Abarrio.[18] Mott said he had no regrets about how Cody's Wish ran,[18] and later in the month Michael Banahan of Godolphin also said that the horse came out of the race well, adding that the distance of the Whitney was "a good opportunity, though we will not do that again."[19] Banahan said that Cody's Wish would be pointed toward the seven-furlong Vosburgh Stakes at Aqueduct on September 30, followed by a defense of his Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile title at Santa Anita Park in November.[19] A win in the Vosburgh would earn Cody's Wish a guaranteed spot in the shorter Breeders' Cup Sprint, although the horse had already earned a spot in the Dirt Mile by winning the Metropolitan Handicap.[19] In the Vosburgh, which was moved ahead one day to October 1 because of heavy rains at Aqueduct, Cody's Wish again broke slow but rallied three wide around the turn and won by 1+1⁄2 lengths. After the Vosburgh, Banahan said that Cody's Wish would probably be retired to stud after the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.[20]

One month later Cody's Wish sought to defend his title in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, with Cody Dorman and his family in attendance. Again breaking toward the back of the pack, he advanced and dueled in the closing stages with 2023 Preakness winner National Treasure to cross the line first by a nose. Cody's Wish's successful title defense was confirmed after stewards investigated contact between the two horses down the stretch. After the race, Banahan noted that it was "a Hollywood ending to a Hollywood story. You could not have scripted it to end it any better." Mott said he believed Cody's Wish should be on the ballot for Horse of the Year.[21] In December 2023 Cody's Wish was again voted the winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award, becoming the first to win the award in consecutive years and joining California Chrome (2014 and 2016) as a two-time award recipient.[22]

For his accomplishments in 2023, Cody's Wish won the Eclipse Award as American Horse of the Year and Champion Older Dirt Male. He received 61% of the first place votes cast for Horse of the Year, far ahead of runner-up White Abarrio with close to 17%.[3]

Stud career[edit]

The day after the 2023 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Darley America announced that Cody's Wish would stand his first breeding season in 2024 at Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky for a stud fee of $75,000.[23]

Statistics[edit]

Date Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning
Time 		Winning
(Losing)
Margin 		Jockey Ref
2021 – three-year-old season
Jun 4, 2021 7 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Belmont Park 3.20 8 3 1:22.46 (3+3⁄4 lengths) Junior Alvarado [24]
Jul 28, 2021 1+1⁄8 miles Maiden Special Weight Saratoga 0.65* 9 3 1:49.51 (5+3⁄4 lengths) Joel Rosario [25]
Sep 4, 2021 7 furlongs Maiden Special Weight Saratoga 0.90* 7 3 1:22.08 (3+1⁄4 lengths) Joel Rosario [26]
Oct 2, 2021 1 mile Maiden Special Weight Churchill Downs 0.30* 6 1[a] 1:33.88 2 lengths Joel Rosario [27]
Nov 6, 2021 1 mile Allowance Churchill Downs 1.00* 11 1 1:35.06 5+1⁄4 lengths Martin Garcia [28]
Nov 27, 2021 1 mile Allowance Churchill Downs 0.90* 8 1 1:34.94 1 length Joel Rosario [29]
2022 – four-year-old season
Mar 12, 2022 1+1⁄16 miles Challenger Stakes III Tampa Bay Downs 2.10* 7 2 1:43.53 (neck) Luis Saez [30]
May 7, 2022 1 mile Westchester Stakes III Belmont Park 0.85* 5 1 1:34.68 5 lengths Junior Alvarado [31]
Jul 4, 2022 1 mile Hanshin Stakes Listed Churchill Downs 0.70* 6 1 1:34.10 neck Junior Alvarado [32]
Aug 27, 2022 7 furlongs Forego Stakes I Saratoga 8.00 7 1 1:20.95 1+1⁄4 lengths Junior Alvarado [33]
Nov 5, 2022 1 mile Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile I Keeneland 2.16* 9 1 1:35.33 head Junior Alvarado [34]
2023 – five-year-old season
May 6, 2023 7 furlongs Churchill Downs Stakes I Churchill Downs 0.72* 9 1 1:21.17 4+3⁄4 lengths Junior Alvarado [35]
Jun 10, 2023 1 mile Metropolitan Handicap I Belmont Park 0.65* 9 1 1:34.36 3+1⁄4 lengths Junior Alvarado [36]
Aug 5, 2023 1+1⁄8 miles Whitney Stakes I Saratoga 0.45* 6 3 1:48.45 (10 lengths) Junior Alvarado [37]
Oct 1, 2023 7 furlongs Vosburgh Stakes II Aqueduct 0.15* 6 1 1:21.83 1+1⁄2 lengths Junior Alvarado [38]
Nov 4, 2023 1 mile Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile I Santa Anita 0.80* 7 1 1:35.97 nose Junior Alvarado [39]


Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Cody's Wish was the post-time favorite.

  1. ^ Cody's Wish ran as an entry with Crump who finished third due to common ownership


Pedigree[edit]

Pedigree of Cody's Wish, bay colt, May 3, 2018[1]
Sire
Curlin
(2004) 		Smart Strike
(1992) 		Mr. Prospector
(1970) 		Raise A Native (1961)
Gold Digger (1962)
Classy 'n Smart
(1981) 		Smarten (1976)
No Class (CAN) (1974)
Sherriff's Deputy
(1994) 		Deputy Minister (CAN)
(1979) 		Vice Regent (CAN) (1967)
Mint Copy (CAN) (1970)
Barbarika
(1985) 		Bates Motel (1979)
War Exchange (1972)
Dam
Dance Card
(2009) 		Tapit
(2001) 		Pulpit
(1994) 		A.P. Indy (1989)
Preach (1989)
Tap Your Heels
(1996) 		Unbridled (1987)
Ruby Slippers (1982)
Tempting Note
(2001) 		Editor's Note
(1993) 		Forty Niner (1985)
Beware of the Cat (1986)
Tempt
(1988) 		Devil's Bag (1981)
Thinghatab (1980) (family 1-x)[40]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Pedigree of Cody's Wish". Equineline. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Profile of Cody's Wish". Equibase. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Grening, David (25 January 2024). "Eclipse Awards: Cody's Wish elected Horse of the Year". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b Philpott, Amber (4 November 2022). "Breeders' Cup horse Cody's Wish has special bond with Kentucky teenager". WKYT. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Cody's Wish Wins 2022 Secretariat Vox Populi Award". bloodhorse.com. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Cody Dorman, namesake of winning horse Cody's Wish, has died". WKYT-TV. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Cody's Wish will attempt to record first career win with namesake in attendance". pastthewire.com. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  8. ^ McNamara, Ed (7 May 2022). "Cody's Wish Dominates Westchester at Belmont Park". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  9. ^ Grening, David (28 August 2022). "Cody's Wish victory in Forego tops big weekend for trainer Mott". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  10. ^ a b Tombs, Jeremy (5 November 2022). "'It was perfect:' Dorman family share their story after Cody's Wish wins at Breeders' Cup". WKYT. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  11. ^ Hegarty, Matt (5 November 2022). "Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile: Cody's Wish outbattles Cyberknife by a head". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  12. ^ Sigurdson, Lucas (30 November 2022). "Cody's Wish: The Heartfelt Story Thoroughbred Racing Needed". pastthewire.com. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  13. ^ Wisener, Bob (3 December 2022). "Younger Von Hemel sits early after horse's positive test". Hot Springs Sentinel-Record. Retrieved 5 December 2022. After the horse's BC Dirt Mile win in November at Keeneland, the Turf Publicists of America named Cody Dorman the 2022 Big Sport of Turfdom Award winner.
  14. ^ Hegarty, Matt (7 November 2022). "Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile: Cody's Wish will race next year at age 5". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  15. ^ Black, Ryan (6 May 2023). "Cody's Wish inspires on way to victory in Churchill Downs Stakes before Kentucky Derby". Courier Journal. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  16. ^ Makaukas, Caroline (7 May 2023). "'I'm at a loss for words.' Cody's Wish adds another chapter to inspiring story on Derby Day". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  17. ^ Angst, Frank (10 June 2023). "Cody's Wish Keeps Dream Alive With Met Mile Triumph The horse earned his sixth straight victory June 10 at Belmont Park". Bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  18. ^ a b Ehalt, Bob (5 August 2023). "White Abarrio Runs Away in Whitney Romp for Dutrow". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  19. ^ a b c Ehalt, Bob (16 August 2023). "Cody's Wish Likely to Return in Vosburgh at Aqueduct". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  20. ^ Ehalt, Bob (1 October 2023). "Cody's Wish Regains Winning Form in Vosburgh". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  21. ^ Ehalt, Bob (4 November 2023). "Cody's Wish Completes Fairytale Ending in BC Dirt Mile". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  22. ^ "Cody's Wish Voted Back-to-Back Winner of Vox Populi". The Blood-Horse. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  23. ^ Mitchell, Eric (5 November 2023). "BC Dirt Mile Winner Cody's Wish to Stand for $75,000". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Chart for 4 June 2021, Maiden Special Weight Race 4 at Belmont Park". equibase.com. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  25. ^ "Chart for 28 July 2021, Maiden Special Weight Race 6 at Saratoga". equibase.com. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  26. ^ "Chart for 4 September 2021, Maiden Special Weight Race 3 at Saratoga". equibase.com. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  27. ^ "Chart for 2 October 2021, Maiden Special Weight Race 1 at Churchill Downs". equibase.com. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  28. ^ "Chart for 6 November 2021, Allowance Race 11 at Churchill Downs". equibase.com. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Chart for 27 November 2021, Allowance Race 10 at Churchill Downs". equibase.com. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  30. ^ "Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes Grade 3 - race 8". equibase.com. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  31. ^ "Westchester Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  32. ^ "Hanshin Stakes Presented by JRA Listed - race 8". equibase.com. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  33. ^ "Forego Stakes Grade 1 - (race 5)". Equibase. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  34. ^ "Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Grade 1 - (race 5)". Equibase. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  35. ^ "Churchill Downs Stakes presented by Ford Grade 1 - race 10". equibase.com. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  36. ^ "Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (Grade 1 - race 10)". equibase.com. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  37. ^ "Whitney Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". equibase.com. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Vosburgh Stakes Grade 2 - (race 3)". equibase.com. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  39. ^ "Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Grade 1 - (race 3)" (PDF). Equibase. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  40. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - La Troienne (FR) - Family 1-x". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cody%27s_Wish&oldid=1217488281"