Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Ted Noffey

Oct 09, 2025 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Ted Noffey wins the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)

Spendthrift Farm’s Ted Noffey picked up 10 qualifying points on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his 2 3/4-length tally in the $642,594 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 4. The winner endured 1 1/16 miles on the fast main strip in 1:43.98 with John Velazquez in the stirrups.

“The good thing about him is that he’s actually pretty kind. I know he breaks pretty well out of there, let him run to the first turn, put the bit in his mouth — just kind. He answers right back to you. That’s the great thing about him. He’s not a horse that’s going to be running off. When he gets close to the horse on the lead, he wants to get a little aggressive, so I took a little hold of him so he wouldn’t go too early, but after that, he was pretty easy and agreeable, kept the head in front of him. Once he opened up in the lane, he started easing up, waiting for the other horses, so I was kind of keeping him busy,” stated Velazquez.

Blackout Time, Litmus Test, Diciasette, and Spice Runner completed the top five and picked up points on a 5-3-2-1 basis.

Ted Noffey passes the two turn test in the G1 Breeders' Futurity! 🏆

A fantastic weekend at @keeneland for @spendthriftfarm, Todd Pletcher and @ljlmvel!

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— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 4, 2025

Conditioned by Todd Pletcher, Ted Noffey began his career on Aug. 2 and powered clear late to record a 1 1/4-length tally while running 6 1/2 panels on the dirt. Appearing next time out in the Hopeful S. (G1) on Sept. 1, the colt drew off to a fantastic, 8 1/2-length score while traveling seven-eighths. His lifetime line now reads 3-3-0-0, $617,963.

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State by Aaron and Marie Jones and attracted a final bid of $650,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the first black-type runner produced by the stakes-winning Old Fashioned mare Streak of Luck. The son of Into Mischief hails from the same female line as Grade 3 victress Lindsay Jean.

Ted Noffey has been ultra impressive to this stage of his development, garnering Brisnet Speed ratings of 85-102-97. He handled the move to two turns with relative ease at Keeneland and looks like the one to beat in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on Oct. 31.