Godolphin's Cody's Wish (Curlin), third in the nine-furlong GI Whitney Aug. 5 at Saratoga, is expected to return to one-turn racing this fall at the Belmont at the Big A meet, according to Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock for Godolphin.
A potential landing spot for the 5-year-old could be the seven-furlong GII Vosburgh S. for 3-year-olds Sept. 30, a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in November at Santa Anita.
Banahan indicated that the Vosburgh could also be used as a steppingstone to the GI Dirt Mile, which he won last year by a head over Cyberknife.
“We were hoping he would run better in the Whitney and it was a great opportunity to figure it out,” said Banahan. “So, we took our chance and obviously it didn't work out as well as we'd hoped for. But, he's come out of the race well and we'll regroup and try and to make him a repeat winner in the Dirt Mile. I think we'll keep him in New York and potentially run him in the Vosburgh.”
Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the homebred raced beyond one mile for the first time since July 2021 in the Whitney and attempted his usual closing kick under regular pilot Junior Alvarado, but finished 10 lengths back of the victorious White Abarrio. That ended a six-race win streak that included the Dirt Mile, GI Churchill Downs S., GI Metropolitan H. and last year's GI Forego S.
A winner for Godolphin on the Whitney Day undercard in a tragedy-marred renewal of the GI Test S., Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) may mark her return in Parx Racing's GI Cotillion S. Sept. 23.
“She came out of the race very well and we found out in the race that the seven-furlong pace was a little too fast for her,” said Banahan. “She stayed on well in the race and came out of it well. Nothing is set in stone yet and we're guided by the filly, but we'll have a look at the Cotillion. It's a significant race and it's the last race at a distance for the 3-year-old fillies.”
Trained by Brendan Walsh, Pretty Mischievous cut back from a win in the one-turn 1 1/16-mile GI Acorn S. in June at Belmont and rallied strongly from four lengths off the pace in the Test to put her head down over Clearly Unhinged.
Banahan added that Godolphin plans to send out both Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile) and Caramel Swirl (Union Rags) in the GI Ballerina H. Aug. 26, a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Matareya, a dual Grade I-winner trained by Brad Cox, was last seen finishing third in the GIII Chicago S. at Ellis Park, while Caramel Swirl, trained by Mott, has not been seen since finishing third in the GII Bed o' Roses S. June 17 at Belmont.
“Matareya is in good shape and Brad is very happy with where she is at the moment,” said Banahan. “Caramel Swirl will probably run in there as well, so we'll see if one of them can win it.”
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