Godolphin's Kentucky homebred Cody's Wish worked five-eighths in 1:00 flat Saturday over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga in preparation for the $1-million Whitney (G1)going 1 1/8 miles on August 5.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 5-year-old Curlin bay has won nine of 13 career starts and is currently on a six-race winning streak topped by a powerful 3 1/4-length score last out in the Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on June 10 at Belmont Park.
“He was very good. He went five-eighths and went well and appeared to be well within himself,” Mott said.
Cody's Wish is currently ranked atop of the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll with 315 points, eclipsing his stablemate Elite Power [271], who is targeting the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) on July 29.
“I'm not going to argue with it. At this point, he's a good choice,” said Mott, with a laugh.
Cody's Wish has yet to win beyond one mile, finishing third in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight in July 2021 at the Spa and second in the 1 1/16-mile Challenger (G3) in March 2022 at Tampa Bay Downs.
“We're uncertain about the nine furlongs, but we're going to remain optimistic,” Mott said. “Until they do it, you never know. Maybe now that he's more mature than he was early on, maybe he'll do it. He's more seasoned.”
Elite Power worked a bullet five-eighths in :59.60 Friday over the Oklahoma training track and could make two starts here this summer with the $500,000 Forego (G1) on August 26 also under consideration.
“His work was very good,” Mott said. “He'll go to the Vanderbilt and then possibly the Forego.”
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