Todd Pletcher: “I don’t have the words to describe Ted Noffey”

The trainer is brimming with optimism about the unbeaten colt, a near-certain Champion 2-Year-Old Male of his crop

Ted Noffey, a lock for the 2024 U.S. Champion 2-Year-Old Male title / KEENELAND

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special to Turf Diario).— Beyond the brilliance of the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and the traditional Curlin Florida Derby (G1), the major magnet of the 2025-2026 season at Gulfstream Parkwill be the return to action of the unbeaten Ted Noffey, the jewel of Todd Pletcher’s stable, who is being readied for his 3-year-old debut during the Championship Meet that begins on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27.

A Hall of Fame trainer and winner of the Gulfstream winter meet on 18 occasions, Pletcher did not hide his enthusiasm for what his star 2-year-old has already accomplished.

“He had just about the perfect 2-year-old season. He went from winning his debut to capturing three Grade I races, including the Breeders’ Cup. He handled everything we asked him to—stepping up in class, stretching out, shipping. You really can’t ask for anything more,” said Pletcher.

Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), owned by Spendthrift Farm, closed out his 2025 campaign with a victory in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, completing a flawless résumé: a winning debut at Saratoga, a dominant score in the Hopeful S. by 8 1/2 lengths, followed by his triumph in the GI Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, and a final crowning performance in the Juvenile.

His 2026 roadmap has yet to be finalized, but two logical starting points are being considered: the GIII Holy Bull S. on Jan. 31 or the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. on Feb. 28, both at 1 1/16 miles, before moving on to the historic GI Florida Derby, which will celebrate its 75th edition on Mar. 28 at 1 1/8 miles.

“We’ll take it easy with him early on in November. We can go Holy Bull to point to the Florida Derby, or wait a bit longer and go in the Fountain of Youth. For now, we’re going to listen to him once he starts back with more serious training,” Pletcher explained.

Pletcher is no stranger to Florida Derby glory, having won the race with Scat Daddy, Constitution, Materiality, Always Dreaming, Audible, Known Agenda, Forte, and most recently Fierceness. The latter would go on to claim the GI Kentucky Derby, as did Always Dreaming.

In parallel, Pletcher also has another major prospect on the turf side in Final Score (Not This Time), winner of the GIII With Anticipation S. at Saratoga and the GII Bourbon S. at Keeneland. He is currently resting in Ocala and is not expected to return until later in the meet.

Among the older horses, Pletcher has lost three key runners to retirement—Fierceness, Mindframe (Constitution), and Locked (Gun Runner)—all now standing at stud. However, Antiquarian (Preservationist), winner of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga, will return for another campaign in 2026 after a short break.

“He’s going to freshen up at Centennial Farm and come back around Christmas. There’s no set plan yet,” Pletcher noted.

If he stays healthy, Ted Noffey appears poised to be the winter star of Florida and begin writing the next chapter of his road to the Kentucky Derby.