The Trafficmaster

It's been a while since we last saw a genuine superstar colt on the dirt in America. The division has been sadly lacking since the retirement of one my my all-time favourites, the Steve Asmussen trained Curlin, way back in 2008.

That may be about to change, though.

During the winter Gulfstream meet, Todd Pletcher unleashes wave after wave of maiden winners, mainly in the 3yo division. However, on the afternoon of 24th January, an unraced 4yo by the name of Cross Traffic was sent to post as an odds-on favourite, making a belated debut over an extended six furlongs.

He won in a solid, albeit unspectacular style and was put into a first-level allowance race, having been given a nice six week pause off his debut.

This time, things were different. Stepping up to a mile, and still showing signs of greeness, Cross Traffic simply obliterated his opposition in devastating fashion, running a figure that suggested he was well up to Graded class. He drew away for a seven-and-a-half-length victory.

Despite a lack of seasoning, Cross Traffic was put into the Westchester by Pletcher, taking on a solid Grade 1 performer in Flat Out. Drawn on the inside, Javier Castellano had no choice but to send the inexperienced colt forward, as the combination posted solid fractions of 22.77 and 22.56 for the first half-mile. Make no mistake, those are swift fractions by Belmont's standards, and for Cross Traffic to only give best by a head to Flat Out in the shadows of the wire, suggested we were seeing a horse that had a special talent.

That performance persuaded Pletcher to plunge Cross Traffic into Grade 1 company, on only his fourth start.

The historic Met Mile was the showcase for yet another spectacular effort in defeat. Once again, the post position compromised Cross Traffic, who had no choice but to go forward from the inside. The blazing speed he showed was reminiscent of a past champion in the mighty Ghostzapper. For one so inexperienced to run though fractions of 22.4 and 22.48 against a seasoned Grade 1 field, was nothing short of breathtaking.

To then see off all but Sahara Sky, who just got the verdict by a nose, suggested we were witnessing a rare talent.

There is a downside, though. For a horse with so little seasoning to run so hard this early in his career, there is a chance that regression is coming.

The dark side has been witnessed by many horses at the highest level, and some just do not come back from the precipice. For the sake of a division sadly lacking in quality, let's hope that this isn't the case with Cross Traffic.

His next assignment, wherever that may be, should tell us everything we need to know.