Godolphin’s homebred Cody’s Wish overcome a tenacious battle with National Treasure to successfully defend his title in the 17th running of the $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park. Trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, Cody’s Wish covered the mile on a fast track in 1:35.97. Cody’s Wish joins Kentucky-bred Goldencents (2013-14) as the only back-to-back winners of the race.
National Treasure, winner of this year’s Preakness S. (G1), set an uncontested pace as Cody’s Wish trailed the field of seven early. Alvarado guided Cody’s Wish into contention by the time the field reached the far turn. National Treasure remained in the lead until just inside the eighth pole when he was joined by Cody’s Wish to his outside. The two fought bravely to the wire as a team—even exchanging bumps—before Cody’s Wish prevailed narrowly.
“A great story, it’s a great story,” Bill Mott said, “an inspiration for a lot of people. To see what it has done for Cody Dorman and his family and a lot of people around him. I think Junior got his head in front and the way he felt it, he said that horse was never going to get by him. The other horse (National Treasure) drifted out into us and came out a couple paths and I think there was a slight brush and we probably brushed him back but it did not knock either of them off stride.”
With the $520,000 winner’s share of the lucrative purse, Cody’s Wish increased his bankroll to $2,965,230. The win, his second straight in the Dirt Mile, improved his overall record to 16-11-1-4. Cody’s Wish collected five Grade 1 victories in his sensational career. He is a Kentucky-bred son of Curlin out of the Tapit mare Dance Card.