Cody’s Wish Gets Fairy Tale Ending in Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

[Wandering Eyes]

The fairy tale got its happily-ever-after ending. Cody's Wish (Curlin–Dance Card, by Tapit) made it back-to-back GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile wins in a dramatic running of the first World Championships race Saturday. Cody's Wish had captured the heart of the racing world last year for his connection with Cody Dorman, a boy suffering from Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome.

After training exceptionally all week, Cody's Wish got squeezed at the break from both sides in the Dirt Mile and was relegated to the rear of the field. GI Preakness S. winner National Treasure (Quality Road) went straight to the lead through early fractions of :22.51 and :46.02, as last-out GII Charles Town Classic winner Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) stalked from second. Cody's Wish sat far back before unleashing a monster move. He split horses, dipped inside Skippylongstocking, and set his sights on National Treasure. The two battled down the length of the stretch and bumped repeatedly. The Godolphin homebred got there by a nose but had to endure a long inquiry as stewards reviewed the contact. Final time for the race was 1:35.97. Skippylongstocking held third.

Trainer Bill Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado also teamed up Friday with Just FYI (Justify) to win the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The race was Cody's Wish's swan song, as he will be retired to Godolphin's Jonabell Farm near Lexington.

Lifetime record: 16-11-1-4. B/O-Godolphin LLC; T-Bill Mott; J-Junior Alvarado.

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