Whitney Stakes Odds: Is Cody's Wish A Lock?

Jul 09, 2023

Who will finish second? That’s what bettors grapple with before Saturday’s $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, headlined by prohibitive odds favorite Cody’s Wish.

The winner of six consecutive races, including the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile last year, opened at nearly-unplayable 1-2 betting odds for this 1 1/8-mile event. His price may even become shorter, perhaps reducing betting options to slamming one straight exacta, trifecta or superfecta wager.

Gamblers can access this showcase via the FanDuel Racing app, along with horse racing odds all day long from across the nation. This race has a 5:42 p.m. post time. They can also access the action all day, as Saratoga has a terrific card totaling nearly $3.4 million in purses. New FanDuel Racing users can click PLAY NOW below to get their first win bet up to $20 insured. If it loses, you’ll get it back as site credit.

In his last event, Cody’s Wish won for fun against three of his five competitors here. Nothing in that race suggests any of those three would beat him.

Nonetheless, there’s a reason they run the races.

Here’s a look at the Whitney Stakes field with post positions and morning line betting odds. Remember they don’t become official until the race starts per horse racing’s pari-mutuel betting practice.

Barely held second against a fast-charging White Abarrio in the Met Mile. Could be passed by White Abarrio this time, it was that close for place honors.

Loves to run second. Has done so twice in a row and four of the last six outings. Runs the same type of closing race each time. Cody’s Wish was simply on another level when they last met.

Was making a move at White Abarrio and Zandon, but fizzled out. Usually can’t make a big finish. On his best, he could split White Abarrio and Zandon, but he has not shown that form recently.

The fun curiosity. Could be the controlling speed and we saw the upset Saudi Crown nearly pulled off on the front end in the Jim Dandy last week. Forte only nipped him at the wire.

Giant Game comes off a pacesetting win in the Grade 3 Cornhusker at 9-1. And while the Cornhusker is not a famous race, it was seized by none other than Knicks Go in 2021. That was on his way to a win in the Whitney and the Breeders Cup.

Could be a factor underneath. At least he comes out of a $1 million race, the Stephen Foster. Ran an on-the-fringes fourth. But fourth place still returns some superfecta ching to the bettors. Could be in the exotics picture if Zandon, White Abarrio or Charge It falter.

Excellent closing bid in the Met Mile. A similar effort this time would enable him to blow past Zandon into second. That said, it will be a dilemma trying to separate the two.

A star. The retirement of Flightline last year arguably makes him America’s horse.

In the Met Mile, he closed from the back of the pack and left the pack standing still.

Will stalk, wait and pounce. The type of horse that could inspire more length-of-victory pools because it’s only a question of how much he wins by.

The only wrinkle here is that he hasn’t gone 1 1/8 miles yet. That’s the lone question mark surrounding him.

Giant Game looks to be the pacesetter. How far he gets resembles the idea of a child being quiet while staying up past his bedtime. Hopefully, nobody notices.

In this case, Giant Game looks to “stay up late” by being the only interested speed. For his connections, hopefully nobody notices and he stays in front until the final turn. That could keep him in the exotics.

Cody’s Wish will look to maintain a striking position and move when asked.

Good luck finding your big combo in the Whitney!

WRITTEN BY

Dave Bontempo

Dave Bontempo, who writes extensively on the emergence of legalized sports betting, is a recipient of the Sam Taub Award for Broadcast Excellence by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He has broadcast boxing for all the major networks over the last four decades and is a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame as well as the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame. His work also can be seen at the Press of Atlantic City and iGamingPlayer.