Haskell Invitational (GI) runner-up Ny Traffic had his first gallop over a wet Churchill Downs track at 7:30 a.m. and then visited the starting gate with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and co-owner John Fanelli looking on. The gray Cross Traffic colt, who also is owned by Cash is King and Paul Braverman, arrived on a flight from New York Tuesday shortly before he drew post 15 of 18.
“I thought he went well,” Joseph said. “The track was a little sloppy, so I was undecided if we were going to gallop or jog today, but looking at the weather, there's more rain on the way, so we may jog tomorrow and I decided to go on and gallop. He went well. He was nice and relaxed. He showed good energy. He stood in the gate. So far, all is well.”
Ny Traffic, who has not been worse than third in five starts in 2020, has shown improvement in each of his races and his connections are hopeful he can perform well in the Kentucky Derby and are pleased with how he has trained since the Haskell July 18.
“He's done well. He's trained forwardly. He has a good series of breezes in,” Joseph said. “Our preparation as far as a race horse coming into a race has gone as well as we could have asked. The Haskell was his best race as far as handicapping figures. He's going to need to improve to compete with horses like Tiz the Law and Honor A. P., but we feel with the spacing of his races he should have improvement again. You never know for sure. Each race he's made a little jump and if he makes another little jump again, he's right there among the leaders.
“All we need is one more improvement in him. If he can make that improvement, he's a horse who is going to make his name on Saturday.”
Co-owner John Fanelli agreed, saying Ny Traffic looked like a horse who could step up on the big day.
“I've always looked for a horse who would progress and progress and progress when I would be betting the Derby,” Fanelli said. “That's what his line looks like. It's just constantly a little better each race. Hopefully we can get better one more time and make history.”
Ny Traffic's morning line odds were set at 20-1 by Mike Battaglia, but Joseph isn't afraid to take on the top contenders this Saturday.
“There are three or four horses that are better than us on paper,” Joseph said. “But we just have to be the best on one day.”
Thanks to the National Turfwriters and Broadcasters Association (NTWAB), which has assembled a group of pool reporters providing independent reporting to members unable to be on the Churchill Downs grounds this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The post ‘We Just Have To Be The Best On One Day’: Ny Traffic Should Improve Off Haskell Performance appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
