Godolphin's 4-year-old homebred Cody's Wish scored a determined neck victory over Three Technique in the $173,250 Hanshin Stakes on Monday, closing day at Churchill Downs.
Cody's Wish clocked one mile over a fast track in 1:34.10 under New York-based rider Junior Alvarado, who rode the winner for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Two days ago, Alvarado and Mott teamed to win the $750,000 Stephen Foster (G2) with Olympiad.
Mish led the field of six older horses down the backstretch through splits of :23.20 and :45.61 as Cody's Wish, the odds-on 3-5 favorite rated a length back in the clear from the outside. Cody's Wish left the turn in front after six furlongs in 1:09.43 as Three Technique made a bold and wide closing move from last. It appeared that Three Technique poked his head in front with a furlong left to run, but Cody's Wish was resolute and came back gamely along the inside for the narrow win.
“He had to fight back today in the stretch,” Alvarado said. “(Three Technique) was really closing fast but Cody dug back in and was really determined to stay in front of him. It was special to be able to ride him back. I rode him in his debut and from that start and his last two winning the Westchester and here today he's really matured a lot.”
The first prize was $107,070 and increased Cody's Wish's bankroll to $492,130 and improved his overall record to 5-1-3 in nine starts. It was his second straight stakes win. Previously, he won the Westchester (G3) by five lengths May 7 at Belmont Park.
Cody's Wish paid $3.40.
Three Technique, the 13-1 longest shot in the field, finished four lengths in front of third-place finisher Awesome Gerry.
Weyburn, Plainsman and Mish completed the order of finish. Runnin' Ray was scratched.
Cody's Wish is a Kentucky-bred son of Curlin out of the Tapit mare Dance Card.
“Words really can't describe how special that was,” said Mott's chief Kentucky assistant trainer Kenny McCarthy. “This horse, who is named after someone so special to us and the barn, Cody Dorman, showed so much heart to get the job done today. We're just so happy to play a small part in this very special story. He had to work pretty hard today but he was determined and didn't want to lose.”
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