Ny Traffic takes advantage of extended Kentucky Derby trail

Ny Traffic has taken full advantage of the extended Road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby, even without winning a Derby prep.

The Cross Traffic colt ended a hard-charging second Saturday in the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes. Down 2 1/2 lengths to winner Authentic coming into the Monmouth Park stretch, he surged late and finished second by a nose.

Authentic barely denied Ny Traffic a graded stakes breakthrough, as well as the 100 Kentucky Derby points and Breeders’ Cup Classic “Win and You’re In” berth the Haskell offered.

“I was sure I got him – 100 percent,” Ny Traffic jockey Paco Lopez said of the photo finish. “I can’t believe it. I’m surprised we didn’t win. I really thought we got him.”

Ny Traffic didn’t come away empty for his runner-up effort.

Along with a healthy $200,000 share of the purse, Ny Traffic pocketed 40 points toward the Kentucky Derby. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee now holds 110 points, ranking fourth among 3-year-olds still targeting the Sept. 5 Run for the Roses.

Ny Traffic has accrued those points thanks to a quartet of board-hitting efforts.

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In traditional Kentucky Derby preps, Ny Traffic earned 10 points for finishing third Feb. 15 in a division of Fair Grounds’ Risen Star (G2), then 40 for placing second March 21 over the same track in the Louisiana Derby (G2).

The delayed Kentucky Derby created a summer of additional prep races, and Ny Traffic took advantage.

He pocketed 20 points May 23 when second at Churchill Downs in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3), then another 40 when runner-up in the Haskell.

For his career, Ny Traffic sports a 9: 2-3-2 record with $565,470 earned. John Fanelli, Cash is King LLC, LC Racing and Paul Braverman campaign the New York-bred colt.

Joseph said he “was a little concerned” when Ny Traffic missed a workout during Haskell preparations. The colt looked fully fit Saturday, though, earning a 100 Beyer Speed Figure that matched winner Authentic’s 100.

Ny Traffic’s strong closing move Saturday in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell should also encourage connections ahead of the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby. The colt already showed this spring he could handle added distance when second in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby, the longest Kentucky Derby prep run to this point.

“I just want to keep going forward,” Joseph said. “That’s the important thing. Hopefully, all goes well to the Kentucky Derby and we’re living the dream.”

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