Ted Noffey Aimed at Holy Bull or Fountain of Youth

Ted Noffey, the presumptive champion 2-year-old male of 2024 after a 4-for-4 campaign that culminated with a victory in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, will continue to take things "very easy" this month before gearing up for a return to racing at Gulfstream Park this winter, trainer Todd Pletcher said. The Spendthrift Farm-owned Into Mischief colt is expected to make his 2026 debut in either the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Jan. 31 or the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 28. "Either way, we're taking this month very easy freshening him and then let him guide us, as we get back into serious training, when we want to make the comeback," he said. The Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth lead toward Gulfstream's top race for 3-year-olds, the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1) March 28. Pletcher has won the Florida Derby eight times, including with Always Dreaming, who would become his second Kentucky Derby (G1) winner in 2017. Pletcher stables his best horses at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida during the winter. The Hall of Fame trainer first won the Derby in 2010 with Super Saver, who ran third in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and second in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park in his pre-Derby starts as a 3-year-old. Before the Juvenile, Ted Noffey captured the Breeders' Futurity (G1), the Hopeful Stakes (G1), and a maiden race this year.