Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Winner CODY’S WISH was installed as the 1-2 morning-line favorite and will start from gate six after the Wednesday draw for the GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga.

The 96th running of the $1 million dollar race is set for this Saturday, August 5th and it offers a Win and You’re In berth to the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

CODY’S WISH trainer, Bill Mott said after the draw, “Every time you bring a horse over like this, you stand the risk of getting beat. There’s always somebody that’s an up-and-coming horse and we certainly respect all the competition. This is a very good horse and hopefully for our sake, he can go on.”

When asked about the outside post, the Hall of Famer said, “He hasn’t been a great horse in the starting gate, so it’s probably not a bad thing for him to be on the outside–he doesn’t have to wait around in there long. He’s gotten just a little anxious in there and he gets a little strong-headed sometimes in the gate. It’s better to be out there, I think.”

Since this will be the first time that his horse has stretched out beyond a mile in over a year, Mott said, “We’re just guessing [he can do it]. He closed well at a mile last time and galloped out nicely. I think it was a good effort for him.

Here is the complete field for the Whitney along with with Morning-Line odds:

1. ZANDON [9-2]  
2. CHARGE IT [5-1]  
3. GIANT GAME [20-1]
4. LAST SAMURAI [15-1] 
5. WHITE ABARRIO [6-1]
6. CODY’S WISH [1-2]

This week’s featured flavor (of course) and remember at Saratoga Cool Beans with every purchase, a donation is made to the PDJF.