In profile: Ted Noffey

By Peter Fornatale 

Named after an amusing mix-up involving Spendthrift Farm’s general manager Ned Toffey, TED NOFFEY’s career to date has been no joke. A winner of each of this three starts so far, this highly-promising youngster heads into this year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile with the weight of expectation, and likely the betting public’s money, behind him.

Sold for $650,000 as a yearling, big things were clearly always expected of this son of Into Mischief, and he managed to get his career off to the best possible start by readily landing a Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga in August. Despite a wide trip, Ted Noffey travelled smoothly throughout the early stages of the contest and started to make progress on the outer when pushed along on the far turn. The extra ground covered may have dulled the finishing effort of a lesser horse, particularly on debut, but Ted Noffey just got stronger as the race went on, coming through to lead inside the final furlong and galloping on strongly through the line.

With an 86 Beyer under his belt and the prospect of a lot more to come, it was no surprise to see Todd Pletcher step his colt up in class to contest the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes a month later, particularly as his owners sponsored the race. It looked as though the step up to the 7f distance of that contest would suit Ted Noffey, and so it proved.

Having broken well, Ted Noffey was able to assume a perfect stalking pitch. Pulling double at the top of the lane, the response when John Velazquez asked for it was both emphatic and impressive, as his mount stormed clear to win by over eight lengths in a fast time. The Beyer came back at 98, marking Ted Noffey out as the leading juvenile in North America.

Given the nature of that display, it was little surprise to see the colt sent off a short-priced favourite for his most recent start in the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, and Ted Noffey certainly didn't disappoint in landing back-to-back Grade 1s.

Once again settling into a nice tracking spot, Ted Noffey travelled powerfully before taking the lead at the top of the short stretch. From that point on the result was never in doubt, and it looked as though the 5/6 favourite was only just finding his best stride at the line, running on strongly to record a 97 Beyer and win comfortably by 2¾ lengths.

Ted Noffey proved himself over two turns there and his tracking style looks highly suitable for the speed-favouring track at Del Mar, while a strong pace there should also suit this colt, who looks like the type to build up the revs steadily. Perhaps one concern would be that he has yet to race between horses or face any kickback - he’s been drawn widest in every start to date and been kept out of trouble - but it's a minor one, and all in all this hugely-talented grey looks tailor-made for the demands of the Juvenile.

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