Betting favorite and sentimental favorite Cody’s Wish swept past the rest of the field to easily win the May 6 $750,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs. It was the Curlin horse’s 5-year-old debut and first race since winning the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
Named for Cody Dorman, a boy with a rare genetic disorder who would become the horse’s friend and biggest fan, Cody’s Wish completed the seven furlongs in 1:21.17. Hoist the Gold was second and Tejano Twist finished third.
The winner, trained by Bill Mott and ridden once again by Junior Alvarado, paid $3.44, $2.90, and $2.64. Cody’s Wish represented the third grade 1 winner on the weekend for owner Godolphin, who also won Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) with Pretty Mischievous and Saturday’s Derby City Distaff with Matareya .
This story will be updated.