Kentucky Derby Contenders Pedigree Analysis: Ny Traffic

With the Kentucky Derby (G1) finally nearing, we continue analyzing the pedigrees of some of the top contenders.

This week’s subject: Ny Traffic

While he only has a career record of 9-2-3-2, Ny Traffic’s never-give-up attitude has won a lot of people over. He finished the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 6 at odds of 19/1 after just missing in the Haskell Stakes (G1) for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Kentucky Derby Ranking

Though winless in 4 Kentucky Derby prep races, Ny Traffic’s consistent efforts have him sitting fourth in the point standings with 110, earning them in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) (where he finished third), the Louisiana Derby (G2) (second), the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) (second), and the Haskell.

While Ny Traffic has run well, the fact that he has not found the winner’s circle in a graded stakes begs the question if he can be taken seriously as a Kentucky Derby contender. For more, let’s look into his pedigree.

Sire Profile

Cross Traffic

Major career wins: 2013 Whitney (G1)

With a career record of 6-3-2-0, this lightly-raced Todd Pletcher trainee’s big moment came at Saratoga when he won the Whitney over the eventual 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) champion Mucho Macho Man. As a son of Unbridled’s Song, Cross Traffic was perfectly bred to handle two turns, but his progeny haven’t lived up to that same billing yet.

Cross Traffic’s only major-league winner thus far has been Jaywalk, who was named the 2018 Eclipse Award Champion 2-Year-Old Filly shortly after she won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). Dame Plata, Pat’s No Fool, and Montauk Traffic each won at the stakes level, but those were all dirt sprints. While Cross Traffic did not debut until age 4, several of his best runners have been precocious juveniles.

Cross Traffic’s bloodline goes all the way back to the sensational Mr. Prospector, who seems to be involved with most of this year’s major Kentucky Derby contenders. On his dam side, Cross Traffic traces to Dr. Fager, considered by many historians to be a top 10 horse of all time. Dr. Fager was very successful when routing and earned 3 wins at the Kentucky Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles.

Dam Profile

Mamie Reilly

Major career wins: None

Mamie Reilly was victorious in her second of 2 career starts, taking a New York-bred dirt sprint for maiden claimers at Belmont Park. Her bloodline includes Deputy Minister, who’s very consistently produced runners who excel routing.

Ny Traffic was her first foal, giving her an excellent start to her broodmare career, though it makes her tough to judge. Mamie Reilly’s second foal is named Purple Hearted, who completed his first recorded workout on July 27. Add him to your watch list in case he shares some of his big brother’s talent.

Ny Traffic has a very tough pedigree to judge because he’s from his sire’s second crop and is his dam’s first foal. Based off of his bloodlines, Ny Traffic could be a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender, but he isn’t as talented as Tiz the Law or Honor A. P. are right now. Still, I’m going to use him on all of my Kentucky Derby exacta, trifecta, and superfecta tickets.

Let me know what you think!

Vinny Blond is a New York-based handicapper who is one half of Real Dynasty Picks. Follow him on Twitter @PicksByDynasty.