LEXINGTON, Ky. – Spendthrift Farm colorbearers Ted Noffey and Tommy Jo, both 2-year-olds by the operation’s kingpin sire Into Mischief and named for members of the farm family, came to Keeneland unbeaten in two starts at Saratoga. That includes dominant Grade 1 performances in the Hopeful and Spinaway, respectively, on closing weekend of the meet, as they won by a combined 15 lengths.
About a month later, on opening weekend at Keeneland, the duo again appeared in Grade 1 races on back-to-back days, both heavy favorites. Things weren’t quite as simple this time for Tommy Jo, named for the granddaughter of Spendthrift owner and president Eric Gustavson. The filly was elevated to victory in Friday’s Grade 1 Alcibiades via a disqualification.
Things were far less complicated 24 hours later for Ted Noffey. The colt cruised by 2 3/4 lengths in the Grade 1, $650,000 Breeders’ Futurity, passing his two-turn test with flying colors. The race was a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Oct. 31 at Del Mar and Ted Noffey has established himself as one of, if not the, favorite.
The genesis of Ted Noffey’s name was a misspelling of Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey’s name on social media.
“A little [less complicated]!” Toffey laughed Saturday post-race. “It’s nice to repeat the double from Labor Day weekend. Two really special horses, and you know, you don’t get days like this very often.”
An understatement, as Ted Noffey’s win highlighted an outstanding day for all his connections. Spendthrift won maiden races Saturday at Keeneland with Get Back Loretta and Local Knowledge, as well as an allowance with Tenacious Leader, who it owns in partnership with Repole Stables. Across the country, the farm’s comebacking Tamara, out of its Hall of Famer Beholder, won the Grade 3 Chillingworth at Santa Anita.
“It’s got to be one of the best days that we’ve ever had,” Toffey said. “It’s the culmination of a lot of days of hard work, wonderful ownership support, and a wonderful team we’ve been able to put together.”
Ted Noffey, Tommy Jo, and Tenacious Leader are all trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, and were ridden by fellow Hall member John Velazquez; Pletcher also trains Local Knowledge, giving him a three-win day at Keeneland. Velazquez also won the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America aboard Praying for Robbie Medina, plus an allowance race and a maiden race for Wesley Ward for a five-win day.
Both Pletcher and Velazquez described Ted Noffey as an uncomplicated colt who makes their jobs easy.
“What’s great about him is he’s push-button,” said Pletcher, who was eager to get Ted Toffey around two turns, and selected the Breeders’ Futurity, at 1 1/16 miles, over the Grade 1 Champagne on Saturday at Aqueduct for that purpose. “He has the ability to go fast, but he doesn’t necessarily want to prove that every day in his gallops. He goes about his business and kind of takes it easy on himself on a daily basis. He’s got a terrific mind. He’s handled everything professionally – he shipped in here and he handled the paddock and all those different things that can be X factors on a big day.”
Velazquez warms Ted Noffey up forwardly for his starts, saying the big colt needs time to get his legs stretched out. But he wasn’t worried the sharp warmup would make his mount too keen – and indeed, Ted Noffey walked to the starting gate very quietly.
“He’s kind, so I don’t have to worry about him,” Velazquez said. “He’s so big, he’s comfortable, he breaks out of there, and I just kind of put my hands down and he comes right back to me.”
That was exactly what happened in the Futurity, as Ted Noffey broke well and then got a beautiful stalking trip, sitting outside of California shipper Litmus Test through a 23.96-second opening quarter and 48.32 half. The splits were more moderate than they might otherwise have been following the scratch of unbeaten Ewing that was announced Friday.
Ted Noffey (97 Beyer Speed Figure) came head to head with Litmus Test near the quarter pole, but the latter didn’t provide much of one. The colt cruised clear and was striding out well in deep stretch, stopping the clock in 1:43.98 on the fast track.
“Everything in his training indicated to us that he wouldn’t have any issue with [two turns],” Pletcher said. “It’s always great to see them actually do it.”
Maiden winner Blackout Time, who had raced in third, finished well to be second by 2 1/4 lengths over Litmus Test. It was well back to Diciassette, Spice Runner, and Big Dom. This race will be a throw-out effort for Grade 3 Iroquois winner Spice Runner, who went to his knees at the start, trailed, and was steadied into the first turn while trying to gain position.
Ted Noffey, meanwhile, will be on to the big stages. A Juvenile win would virtually assure him a divisional Eclipse Award, and would also establish him as the winter favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. The Breeders’ Futurity awarded its top finishers points toward next spring’s classic on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale.
“Johnny said he felt like he kind of idled a little bit when he was on the lead by himself,” Pletcher said. “That’s kind of a good indication, as well, that there’s maybe more in the tank.”
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