What we learned: Cody's Wish doesn't pass the distance test

After a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, the favorite Cody’s Wish gave his answer on whether he could handle longer route distances. The answer looks like no, with some small concessions that he did not receive a favorable trip in his bid to win at nine furlongs. 

White Abarrio ended up drawing clear in a dominant fashion late to win the Whitney and capture his second Grade 1 race by 6 1/4 lengths after a comfortable tracking trip in second. He took the next step forward in his second start for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.

In contrast, Cody's Wish took a step backward with his mild move on the far turn and fade in the stretch run. 

One problem for Cody’s Wish is that the pace went at a moderate clip at best, with Giant Game leading the field through fractions of 24.41, 48.27 and 1:11.81 for the nine-furlong distance. Cody’s Wish ran in last through the half-mile with the unfavorable pace ahead of him, although he was only a little less than four lengths away at that point.       

Perhaps the moderate to slow pace scenario affected Cody’s Wish. 

The awkward start did not help matters. Cody’s Wish began the race with a bobble out of the gate, which possibly affected his rhythm.  

Cody’s Wish endured a wide trip too, which usually takes the punch out of any closer. According to the chart comments, Cody’s Wish traveled three to four wide on the backside before making a six-wide move on the far turn.

But those are all small excuses for a champion such as this one. Cody’s Wish came into the race as the class horse who won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile last fall and two straight Grade 1 races this year, the Churchill Downs Stakes and Metropolitan Handicap. This kind of horse is not supposed to need a perfect trip to win. 

Furthermore, even if White Abarrio ran away with the race in the stretch, Cody’s Wish still had Zandon within his sights for second since they came into the top of the stretch on approximately even terms. But instead of a competition for second, Zandon began to open up on Cody’s Wish, who was clearly tired by midstretch. 

When a successful dirt miler with a closing style fades at a longer distance, it should mean he needs to cut back to one mile.  

In July 2021, Cody’s Wish also lost ground in the stretch to Pipeline and the eventual winner Vindictive in a nine-furlong maiden special weight on this course.

To his credit, Cody’s Wish made only the second start of his career in that race and went out of control in the early stages by acting rank and dragging Joel Rosario to the front for an unnecessary early duel with Pipeline.

This time around, Cody’s Wish ran in a more professional manner, minus the odd bobble at the break. Cody’s Wish still had to overcome the unfavorable pace scenario and wide trip, but he came into the top of the stretch just two lengths off the leader White Abarrio and on even terms with Zandon.

Overall, Cody’s Wish’s effort felt disappointing, considering his talent and class. He probably belongs in one mile or seven-furlong races again.

In any case, White Abarrio completed the nine furlongs in 1:48.45. The Beyer Speed Figure had not been posted by Daily Racing Form as this was being written, but it likely will end up fast given how many lengths he won by and the extra gap between Zandon and the trio of Cody’s Wish, Charge It and Giant Game.

Even though Zandon loses often, he tends to post respectable speed figures, which means White Abarrio figures to earn a big number. 

In some of White Abarrio’s past races, he gave the impression that nine furlongs was stretching his limits even though he won the Florida Derby (G1). Now, White Abarrio looks like a legitimate Breeders’ Cup Classic contender. This 4-year-old colt can bring Dutrow back into the spotlight.

As for Cody’s Wish, he remains one of the major stars of racing. Even though he shows the right pedigree for longer routes, the nine-furlong attempt did not work out. It is understandable if the connections want to try one more time, but if he cuts back to his one-mile races, expect him to dominate again.