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Ny Traffic Bound For Jersey’s Haskell After Sharp Gulfstream Drill

Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Ny Traffic and Tonalist's Shape tuned up for upcoming 3-year-old stakes engagements Sunday at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Ny Traffic, who currently sits seventh in the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying-points standings, breezed five furlongs in 58.64 seconds, the fastest of 12 workouts recorded at the distance, for a likely start in the $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park July 18.

“I worked him Monday last week, so he came back in six days. I wanted to get a good work into him and he worked super. He finished up really good. He ran the last quarter in 22-and-4 and galloped out strong,” Joseph said. “After that work today, I'd say we're probably going to run him in the Haskell, 95 percent sure.”

Ny Traffic, who is owned by John Fanelli, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing and Paul Braverman, finished second, a length behind Maxfield in the May 23 Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs last time out. The 3-year-old son of Cross Traffic previously finished second, 1 ½ lengths behind Wells Bayou in the Louisiana Derby (G2), and third in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds. In his first start for Joseph, the New York-bred colt scored a front-running 6 ¾-length romp in a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream Jan. 11.

Tonalist's Shape, who currently ranks seventh in qualifying points for the Sept. 4 Kentucky Oaks (G1), breezed five furlongs in 59.43 seconds, the third-fastest five-furlong work of the morning.

“Last week's work was a little quicker than ideal, so we just tried to slow her down a little. Once again, she worked super. We're very happy with where we are with her,” said Joseph, whose Oaks hopeful breezed a half-mile in 45.35 seconds a week earlier. “We still haven't decided. It'll be either the Ashland or the Coaching Club. We'll probably decide [Monday].”

The $300,000 Ashland (G1), a 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-old fillies, is scheduled to be run next Saturday at Keeneland, while the $350,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) is scheduled to be run at 1 1/8 miles July 18 at Saratoga.

Tonalist's Shape is coming off a sharp 3 3/4-length victory in the May 15 Hollywood Wildcat, her first win around two turns, rebounding from her first career loss in the March 28 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). The Kentucky-bred filly had won her first five starts, including victories in the Forward Gal (G3) and the Davona Dale (G2) during the 2019-2020 Championship Meet at Gulfstream.

“She's in good form. She's holding good weight. She's happy and strong. We're happy with where we're at,” Joseph said.

Both Ny Traffic and Tonalist's Shape were ridden by assistant trainer Sabine Langvad Sunday.

“We're thankful to have her,” Joseph said. “She has a lot of passion for what she does, and that's what we need.”

Math Wizard, who gave Joseph his first Grade 1 success in last year's Pennsylvania Derby at Parx, breezed a half-mile in 49.14 in preparation for the $300,000 Monmouth Cup (G3) on the Haskell undercard.

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Joseph Sophomores Tune Up

A pair of sophomores from trainer Saffie Joseph’s barn tuned up for graded stakes engagements with five-furlong works at Gulfstream Park Sunday.

Ny Traffic (Cross Traffic), currently seventh in the Sept. 5 GI Kentucky Derby qualifying-points standings, breezed five furlongs in :58.64 (1/12) in preparation for a likely start in the July 18 GI Haskell S. at Monmouth Park.

“I worked him Monday last week, so he came back in six days. I wanted to get a good work into him and he worked super. He finished up really good. He ran the last quarter in :22 4/5 and galloped out strong,” Joseph said. “After that work today, I’d say we’re probably going to run him in the Haskell, 95% sure.”

Ny Traffic, third in the GII Risen Star S. in February, was runner-up in both the Mar. 25 GII Louisiana Derby and the May 23 GIII Matt Winn S.

Joseph also sent Tonalist’s Shape (Tonalist) out to work Sunday at Gulfstream. The filly went five furlongs in :59.43 (3/12) after turning in a four-furlong work in :45.35 (2/60) last Monday.

“Last week’s work was a little quicker than ideal, so we just tried to slow her down a little. Once again, she worked super. We’re very happy with where we are with her,” said Joseph.

Of the filly’s next start, Joseph said, “We still haven’t decided. It’ll be either [Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile GI] Ashland S. [at Keeneland] or the [July 18 1 1/8-mile GI] Coaching Club American Oaks [at Saratoga]. We’ll probably decide [Monday].”

Tonalist’s Shape, winner of the GIII Forward Gal S. in February and GII Davona Dale S. Feb. 29, was a well-beaten seventh while trying a route for the first time in the Mar. 28 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, but rebounded to win the 1 1/16-mile Hollywood Wildcat S. May 15 at Gulfstream in her most recent start. She currently ranks seventh in qualifying points for the Sept. 4 GI Kentucky Oaks.

Math Wizard (Algorithms), who gave Joseph his first Grade I success in last year’s Pennsylvania Derby at Parx, breezed a half-mile in :49.14 (16/58) in preparation for the GIII Monmouth Cup on the Haskell undercard.

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‘Encouraging Start’: $3.4-Million Wagered On Monmouth’s Opening-Day Program

Laki shook off an eight-month layoff, taking full advantage of an early speed duel that developed in front of him, before drawing off to a 2 1/2-length victory in the first running of the Oceanport Centennial Stakes as racing fans welcomed back Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., with a rousing reception at the betting windows (and online) on opening day of the COVID-19 delayed meet.

Despite attendance restrictions under guidelines issued by the state in the ongoing battle against the pandemic, bettors wagered $3,422,830 from all sources on the six-race twilight card.

Average handle for Fridays a year ago was approximately $2.5 million, when a typical card saw eight live events.

“We're happy and grateful that the day went off without a hitch,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of the racetrack. “It was a great racing card that was whole-heartedly endorsed by the betting public.

“It was an encouraging start to a year that could certainly use some positive news.”

Ridden by Trevor McCarthy for the first time, Laki won for the ninth time in 24 career starts, with the $45,000 winner's share from the $75,000 purse boosting his career earnings over $500,000.

“He's been training so well coming into the race. I'm not surprised by this, even after eight months off,” said trainer Damon Dilodovico. “Toward the end of the year last year he just needed to be freshened. We weren't looking for the COVID-19 sized freshener but maybe it ended up helping him.

“I was surprised to see him in front early amongst those horses because there was a lot of speed in the race. Trevor just let him do his thing and sat off a good speed duel. That's really where he is more comfortable.”

Though Laki broke to the lead from the rail in a field of speedsters, McCarthy eventually settled the 7-year-old gelding behind dueling leaders Chateau and Awesome Anywhere. Laki powered by both in mid-stretch, finishing the five furlongs in :57.62.

Laki paid $13.00 to win, with Awesome Anywhere holding second, 5¾ lengths ahead of Midtowncharlybrown.

“Damon kind of left it up to me,” said McCarthy. “I thought the five-eighths might be a little short for him. That was my biggest worry. I just tried to break him as sharp as I could break him just to get position. I couldn't believe I broke in front of everybody. I kind of just sat there, let him get himself together and let the other guys go at it after he settled in.

“We got to sit off a nice hot speed duel. He usually finishes good. He showed his true class.”

Racing resumes at Monmouth Park on Saturday, July 4, with a 12-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m.

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Monmouth Sports Book To Open At 25 Percent Capacity Friday

Monmouth Park's opening day today will feature a six-race twilight card, simulcast wagering and sports betting at the William Hill Sports Book, with attendance limited under guidelines from Gov. Phil Murphy as part of the restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Monmouth Park's attendance allowance will be driven by direction from the Governor's Office, the Division of Gaming Enforcement and the New Jersey Racing Commission.

All patrons entering the track will be required to wear masks and will be given a brief health questionnaire. No outside food or beverages are permitted.

Post time for the first race for the track's 75^th season is 5 p.m. Post times on Saturdays and Sundays will be 12:50 p.m. except for Haskell Day on July 18.

Parking and admission are free except for Haskell Day.

Attendees will be spread throughout the expansive facility to promote social distancing and other protocols that can be found at www.monmouthpark.com.

The Division of Gaming Enforcement has approved 25 percent attendance of listed capacity in the William Hill Sports Book area.

Under Executive Order references from the Governor's Office, no more than 500 people gathering will be permitted in certain areas. With indoor dining prohibited throughout the state, all inside dining may now be counted as outside dining in attendance totals.

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