When it seemed the story of Cody’s Wish and his namesake, Cody Dorman, could not get any better, it did.

Cody Dorman at the 2022 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland. (Eclipse Sportswire)

It has been well documented that Dorman, born with a rare genetic disorder called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, developed an almost mystical connection with the horse. They met through a coordinated effort between Keeneland Race Course and the Make-A-Wish Foundation when the Godolphin homebred was a yearling.

Dorman’s wheelchair and his inability to speak did not keep the horse from slowly approaching and then gently laying his head in the boy’s lap when the family visited Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Ky.

Their relationship grew stronger from there. The horse inspired Dorman to re-double his efforts in physical therapy after challenges that included two open-heart surgeries and almost 50 operations. The now 17-year-old recently used head movements to communicate through a tablet his belief that Cody’s Wish saved his life.

The tale that has inspired many others with physical challenges appeared to reach its peak when Cody’s Wish displayed the same big heart that allowed the young man to survive on several occasions when doctors thought all was lost.

The bay son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin staged a breathtaking rally from last to win the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile last November at Keeneland. Dorman and his family looked on as part of a large crowd that roared its approval.

How could it get any better than that? And yet it has.

As Cody’s Wish heads into what may well be the sternest test of his career in the $1 million Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap on Saturday at Belmont Park, there is every reason to believe he is just now finding his best stride.

“This year is going to be a very promising year for him,” said regular rider Junior Alvarado. “He’s going to be very tough.”

Alvarado loved everything about his mount’s 5-year-old debut. After acknowledging Dorman during the walkover to the track, Cody’s Wish produced yet another late surge to dominate the May 6 Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Ford by 4 ¾ lengths as part of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve undercard.

Cody’s Wish has not always responded to the wishes of his rider. This time, he accepted every cue after again biding his time in the early going of the seven-furlong contest.

“When I started moving my hands little by little, he started picking it up,” Alvarado said. “That was probably the first time for me with him that I was able to do whatever I want without fighting with him or doing whatever he wants.”

Cody checks on ‘Cody’ during a visit. (Courtesy of Kelly Dorman)

Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin USA, observed their new-found rapport from the stands. “When Junior asked him, he was there for him,” Banahan said. “He was in his hand.”

Then there was the engine that purred for Alvarado, the masterful pilot for the last five races. “The power turning for home, it felt great,” the jockey said, adding, “Having that feeling underneath you is unbelievable. There is more there. I’m very excited.”

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott is renowned for his ability to bring out the best in older horses. Cody’s Wish is the latest testament to that. He enters the Met Mile with victories in eight of his last nine starts and a five-race winning streak that includes Grade 1 scores in his last three outings. In all, he owns eight victories in 12 lifetime efforts for earnings of $1,778,530. He has never failed to hit the board.

“Even though he’s a 5-year-old, he’s a relatively lightly raced horse, probably just maturing and getting more experience,” Banahan noted.

According to Kelly Dorman, his son is thrilled by the progress he saw in the Churchill Downs Stakes. “He laughed all the way home,” he said of the ride to Richmond, Ky. “He laughed when we were trying to get him in bed and get him cleaned up.

“I wish people could see that side when he does that. That delayed excitement he gets, it’s priceless to see how much that horse does for him.”

Although Cody is not hearing impaired, he was recently invited to attend a local race for children who are. That event demonstrated how much Cody and Cody’s Wish mean to those coping with physical challenges. Many of the children had their pictures taken with Cody.

“You could see how their faces lit up when they met him in person,” Kelly said.

Cody is embracing his status as a role model of sorts. “He feeds off the happiness and inspiration so many people have gotten,” Kelly said.

As for Cody’s Wish, he continues to show every sign that he is thriving. He has worked three times at Saratoga Race Course since his season debut, producing the fastest drill at the distance each time. This past Sunday, he tore through four furlongs in 46.83 seconds, swiftest of 22 workers.

He will have to be at his best to keep his winning streak alive in the Met Mile against a deep list of accomplished challengers.

“We go in there with plenty of optimism regardless of who shows up,” Banahan said, appreciating how much winning the Met Mile would mean to the horse’s resume as well as Cody and his growing legion of followers.