Whitney Stakes 2023: Horse Racing Nation expert picks
Cody's Wish was responsible for one of the biggest upset moments of the 2022 Saratoga meet when he ran down Jackie's Warrior to win the Grade 1 Forego. Since then, he has proven himself to be the best older dirt miler in the country. In Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, Cody's Wish is no longer the long shot.
Instead, Cody's Wish will be a heavy favorite despite distance questions. He stretches out to nine furlongs for the first time since a third-place finish in a maiden race two summers ago. With five others lining up next to him, bettors have to ask the question: is it worth depending on Cody's Wish at odds-on, or has someone else in the field done enough to provide actual value on the win end?
Below is how the experts at Horse Racing Nation plan to play the Whitney.
Candice Curtis, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: No. 6 Cody's Wish
On the board: No. 2 Charge It, No. 3 Giant Game
Long shot I like: No. 3 Giant Game
Analysis: I don't think anyone is legitimately beating Cody's Wish today, but if the spirit of Saratoga kicks in and another big favorite goes down to defeat, I sure hope it's the long shot my money will be on: Giant Game. I don't see Charge It trying to challenge him on the front, and I can see an scenario where this Dale Romans trainee steals the show. If not Cody, then Giant Game.
Ed DeRosa, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: No. 6 Cody's Wish
On the board: No. 5 White Abarrio
Long shot I like: No. 4 Last Samurai
Analysis: I know the distance is a legitimate question mark, especially at 2-5, but Cody's Wish is simply faster than these. Nothing we've seen in either the two-turn Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile or Met Mile (G1) against three of these indicates that it's nine furlongs that will fell him against this type of competition. Single in all wagers.
Ron Flatter, Ron Flatter Racing Pod
Winner: No. 6 Cody's Wish
On the board: No. 2 Charge It
Long shot I like: No. 3 Giant Game
Analysis: Cody's Wish is in a league of his own. Enjoy his Usain Bolt-like second turn. It will be something special. Charge It has had decent if not splashy figures this year, and his extending to 1 1/4 miles to win the Suburban (G2) might have been the first step to a prudent cutback this weekend. Giant Game's win in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3) was rewarded with a Brisnet speed rating of 107, the third best among last-out performances in this field.
Jarrod Horak, Today's Best Bet
Winner: No. 6 Cody's Wish
On the board: No. 1 Zandon
Analysis: Cody's Wish will not offer any value but he just looks classier than his rivals. The four-time Grade 1 winner tries to navigate a longer distance and has done nothing to suggest that he won't handle it. Giant Game and Charge It should ensure honest fractions and Bill Mott's favorite should run past this group. Zandon should save all the ground behind the speed and can come running to complete the exacta.
Rowan Ward, Horse Racing Nation
Winner: No. 3 Giant Game
On the board: No. 1 Zandon, No. 6 Cody's Wish
Long shot I like: No. 3 Giant Game
Analysis: My strongest opinion is that Last Samurai will not be the same at Saratoga as he is at Oaklawn, but I could see anyone else hitting the board. Giant Game wired the Cornhusker (G3) at this distance last out; if he runs back to that he could be responsible for the biggest "Graveyard of Favorites" moment at the Spa all summer. Cody's Wish is the class of the field and a consistent runner; his pedigree suggests he should get the distance but he has yet to prove that on track yet. Zandon is a real nine-furlong horse but also rarely wins, so use him underneath.