Godolphin's Cody's Wish pulled an upset Saturday at Saratoga when uncoiling a torrid outside rally from far back and wearing down front-running favorite and reigning sprint champion Jackie's Warrior to win the $600,000 Forego (G1).
The overwhelming favorite, Jackie's Warrior dueled with Pipeline to the top of the stretch and looked en route to victory at the eighth pole, but Cody's Wish was ready run after being fractious in the starting gate and unleashed a career-defining performance from the back of field when Junior Alvarado gave the cue into the stretch.
Trained by Bill Mott, Cody's Warrior won by 1 1/4 lengths from Jackie's Warrior and finished seven furlongs in 1:20.95, just 0.55 seconds slower than the track record, while earning his first Grade 1 win. He returned $18.
Pipeline finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Jackie's Warrior in the seven-horse field.
A homebred son of two-time Horse of the Year and 2014 Hall of Famer Curlin, Cody's Wish entered the Forego with back-to-back wins – a game neck victory in the listed Hanshin July 4 at Churchill Downs that followed a five-length score in the Westchester (G3) May 7 at Belmont.
With Saturday's victory, Cody's Wish has three victories from four starts this year while improving his overall record to 6-1-3 from 10 career starts.
Cody's Wish was produced Grade 1 winner Dance Card, by Tapit.
G1 Forego Quotes
Bill Mott, winning trainer of Cody's Wish (No. 5, $18) and fourth-place finisher Baby Yoda (No. 1): “I really thought the style of this race would suit this horse. I was glad to see somebody [No. 6, Pipeline] going with [No. 3, Jackie's Warrior], for sure. I didn't think it was going to be either of mine. I thought both of ours were going to settle back. I didn't know whether we were going to be laying second, third or fourth, and actually Cody's Wish was back a little further. I thought he'd be a little more close to the pace early but as it turned out it was good that somebody entertained Jackie's Warrior a little bit.
“When he cut the corner at the three-eighths pole, I saw him moving. I know when he starts moving, he keeps moving.
“It's a very important race. It's a good race and this is a good horse. He's deserving of the win. He's trained well. If you look at his record he's won five of his last six and six of his last seven now.
“He's been good. This horse has trained like a good horse from the very beginning. He's become more professional and learned how to run. I thought he'd probably win the first out of his life and it took him a few races to get going and really come into form. He needed to get some experience and now he's turned into a racehorse.”
Junior Alvarado, winning jockey aboard Cody's Wish (No. 5): “He's a horse that has talent and we always knew. On paper, it looks like he can go :22 and :44 but I always thought he could actually do that going a mile, seven furlongs, maybe a little sprinter for him. Bill [Mott] told me, 'maybe you're going to be laying second.' In my mind, I thought I was going to be where I was because I knew he had the speed but it's not sprinter speed, it's more like a fast miler, so that race unfolded the way I thought it was going to be. I was confident where I was in the back, letting my horse get the rhythm and making sure he finished for me and he showed up today big time.
“When we turned for home and I saw Jackie's Warrior didn't take off, at that point we're taking a good shot at it, and right by the eighth pole I had a good feeling at that point. I still never underestimated Jackie's Warrior, but by the eighth-pole I definitely was all out and I knew it was going to happen today.”
On winning a Grade 1 at Saratoga: “Can't beat it. Saratoga is the one place to be in the summer and I'm glad I made the move and it's paying off big time.”
On defeating a great horse like Jackie's Warrior: “It's a great feeling. I've been working a long time with Bill Mott trying to get those kind of horses and those kind of races. I was riding Speaker's Corner in the same kind of races and we encountered two big horses. Today, with Cody's Wish, we encountered Jackie's Warrior but everything fell and took place to my favor.”
Steve Asmussen, trainer of runner-up Jackie's Warrior (No. 3): “I can't [emphasize] how blessed we've been to have Jackie's Warrior. Only just a little sad that was his last time to run here at Saratoga because he's brought us so much fun and joy here.
“He'll be sharp for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). That will be his next and last race.”
Joel Rosario, jockey aboard runner up Jackie's Warrior (No. 3): “We were dealing with the horse on the outside for a little bit. He responded to everything I asked him to do. The other horse [No. 5, Cody's Wish] came with a strong run today. He [Cody's Wish] was way outside and he was fighting and kept going. But it was a little tough to hold on.
“It can be hard to go on like that, but he did everything I asked him and the horse ran a tremendous race. He gave it his best like always.”
Winning margin: 1 1/4-lengths
Final time (seven furlongs): 1:20.95
Fractions: 22.75, 45.10, 1:08.76
Full order of finish: 5-3-6-1-2-4-7
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