Cody’s Wish capped off his stellar career with a successful defense of his title in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita on Saturday, 4 November.
Aptly taking place not far from Hollywood, it was a true fairy tale ending for Cody’s Wish, who will be joining the Darley’s stallion roster in Kentucky in 2024.
Cody’s Wish is now a five-time G1 winner; in addition to his two Breeders’ Cup victories, he boasts wins in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap, G1 Churchill Downs Stakes and G1 Forego.
Cody’s Wish was away a bit slowly after being pinched back coming out of the starting gate. Jockey Junior Alvarado settled ‘Cody’ near the rear of the field in sixth, as G1 Preakness winner National Treasure went to the front to set the pace. National Treasure continued to lead heading into the far turn, but Cody’s Wish unleashed a powerful move, splitting rivals and weaving his way through traffic before angling to the outside for a clear shot at the leader.
Cody’s Wish and National Treasure battled through the stretch, with the pair trading bumps several times. At the wire it was Cody’s Wish who came out on top to claim the victory. After a lengthy stewards’ inquiry into the stretch run, the result remained unchanged, and Cody’s Wish was officially declared the winner.
Bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, Cody’s Wish is out Dance Card, winner of the G1 Gazelle Stakes. He is a half-brother to Endorsed (by Medaglia d’Oro), winner of the G2 Gulfstream Park Mile and G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes, and to Stakes-placed Bocephus (Medaglia d’Oro).
