Godolphin's homebred Cody's Wish worked a sharp half-mile in :48.48 over the Oklahoma training track June 26 in his first breeze back since his dominant score in the June 10 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park.
"It was a nice breeze, very smooth," said Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
The 5-year-old son of Curlin has won nine of 13 starts, including his last six in succession, with triumphs in last year's Westchester Stakes (G3), Hanshin (G3), and Forego (G1) ahead of his gallant score over Cyberknife in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland. He entered the Met Mile from a 4 3/4-length score in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on Derby Day.
Cody’s Wish heads back to the barn followed by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott Thursday morning. pic.twitter.com/1cG0YoSkSJ
— Tim Wilkin (@tjwilkin) June 29, 2023
Cody's Wish remains under consideration for the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1), a nine-furlong route for older horses Aug. 5 that offers a "Win and You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in November at Santa Anita Park.
It would be the colt's first start over nine furlongs since July 2021, where he finished third in a maiden race at Saratoga Race Course.
"That's possible," Mott said of the Whitney. "It's (nine furlongs) always a question. He's won his Breeders' Cup going a two-turn-mile but he's not won at a mile and an eighth. You never know until they do it."
Reigning champion male sprinter Elite Power also recently returned to the work tab for the first time since an impressive victory on Belmont Stakes Day. Godolphin's winner of the True North Stakes (G2) drilled a bullet three furlongs in :36.02 last Saturday over the Oklahoma training track. The True North was his first start since taking the Feb. 25 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3).
The Curlin 5-year-old is targeting the July 29 $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) at the Spa.
"He worked fine. We'll run in the Vanderbilt," Mott said.
Mott indicated that Elite Power's main year-end goal is likely a title defense in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).
Team Valor International and Gary Barber's Wakanaka was nominated to Sunday's Perfect Sting Stakes at Belmont, but Mott said he will likely find her a race at Saratoga instead.
The 5-year-old Power mare was third in the June 9 Just A Game (G1T) at Belmont after a wide trip. A two-time graded stakes winner, Wakanaka worked a half-mile over the Oklahoma training track in :48 on Sunday. She is winless in three starts this year.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
