Ny Traffic Works in Company With Math Wizard

Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. worked two of his stable stars, Math Wizard and Ny Traffic, in company over a fast Saratoga Race Course main track Aug. 13. Both horses covered five furlongs in 1:00.38—fastest of eight recorded works at the distance.

Owned by John Fanelli, Cash is King Racing, LC Racing, and Paul Braverman and bred in the Empire State by Brian Culnan, Ny Traffic has not finished off the board in five starts this year. He comes off a runner-up finish in the TVG Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park, and is pointing toward the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs. The son of Cross Traffic  will give Joseph his first starter in the Run for the Rose, and is fifth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 110 points.

"Math Wizard is a good work horse and with Ny Traffic, we wanted something not speedy but more for endurance. It was a steady work, but next week will probably be his stiffest work," Joseph said.

Ny Traffic joined Joseph's barn after making his first four starts for former trainer Harold Wyner.

"From the first time we got him, he just improved steadily," Joseph said of Ny Traffic, who has raced over six tracks in nine starts. "He's shipped all over and each time, he's shown up. That's a quality of a really good horse, he doesn't need to take his track with him. Obviously, he's been over Churchill's track already, so that makes us feel comfortable."

Despite the presence of New York-bred Tiz the Law, the dominant frontrunner of the 3-year-old division, Joseph is confident in Ny Traffic heading into the Kentucky Derby.

"I think he's gotten better and better," Joseph said. "Early in the year if you asked, I never thought he would be one of the leaders in the crop, but as time has gone on, I think we have a legit chance. Obviously, Tiz the Law ran impressively the other day, but I think we have a good chance."

Math Wizard will likely point to the Aug. 28 Charles Town Classic (G2), with the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (G1) at Saratoga a "slight possibility."

"He's trained well over this track, but I would say the Charles Town Classic is the leader at the moment," Joseph said. "Since he's come here, he's trained really well. That was his second breeze here today and I thought he looked exceptional."

The winner of last year's Pennsylvania Derby (G1), Math Wizard was second to Global Campaign in the July 18 Monmouth Cup (G2). The 4-year-old son of Algorithms  is owned by John Fanelli in partnership with Khalid Mishref, Cash Is King Racing, LC Racing, Collarmele Vitelli Stables, Ioannis Zoumas, and Bassett Stables.

Joseph also reported that Tonalist's Shape will train up to the Sept. 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, with the Eight Belles Stakes (G2) a possibility on the same day.

"She'll work Sunday and more than likely go straight to the Oaks, as a backup plan maybe the Eight Belles," Joseph said.