Cody’s Wish hits the track July 22 (Susie Raisher)
Pretty Mischievous Possible for G1 Cotillion
Matareya, Caramel Swirl to G1 Ballerina
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Godolphin’s Kentucky homebred Cody’s Wish will return to one-turn racing this fall at the Belmont at the Big A meet after finishing third in the nine-furlong Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 5 at Saratoga Race Course. A potential landing spot for the 5-year-old bay could be the Grade 2, $250,000 Vosburgh for 3-year-olds and up sprinting seven furlongs on September 30, a “Win and You’re In” for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November at Santa Anita Park.
While the Vosburgh provides a berth into the Sprint, Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock for Godolphin, said Cody’s Wish could use the Vosburgh as a steppingstone towards a try at a successful title defense in the 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 son of Curlin 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 his Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile coup at Keeneland, and additional Grade 1 scores in the Churchill Downs at its namesake track and the Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, and last year’s Forego at the Spa.
Earlier on the Whitney card, Godolphin sent out multiple graded stakes-winner Pretty Mischievous in the Grade 1 Test where she earned the victory after pacesetter Maple Leaf Mel led at each point of call before suffering an injury and falling just before the wire.
Trained by Brendan Walsh, Pretty Mischievous cut back from a win in the one-turn 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Acorn presented by Great Jones Distilling Co. 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 said while plans are still to be determined, the daughter of Into Mischief could look to a start in Parx Racing’s Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion on September 23 next.
“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.”
Banahan added that Godolphin plans to send out both Matareya and Caramel Swirl in the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap on August 26, a “Win and You’re In” for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Matareya, a dual Grade 1-winner trained by Brad Cox, was last seen finishing third in the Grade 3 Chicago at Ellis Park, while Caramel Swirl, trained by Mott, has not been seen since finishing third in the Grade 2 Bed o’ Roses on 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.”
Matareya vies for her third career Grade 1 triumph after wins in the Acorn last year and Derby City Distaff in May at Churchill. Caramel Swirl is still in search of her first top-level score and will look to finish one better than her runner-up performance to subsequent Champion Female Sprinter Goodnight Olive in last year’s Ballerina.
