There was a gleam in Todd Pletcher’s eye and a roar from the Del Mar grandstand as Ted Noffey held firm to keep his unbeaten record intact, claiming the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) with poise and power on Friday afternoon. The chestnut colt, trained by Pletcher and ridden with signature calm by John Velazquez, showed both class and courage as he drew away late to win by a length over Mr. A.P., cementing his place as America’s standout two-year-old.
For Velazquez, the moment was familiar yet still electric. “He made it easy for me,” the veteran rider said, beaming. “He’s such an easy horse to ride — just let him do his thing and he’s happy.”
Pletcher, celebrating his 16th Breeders’ Cup win and fifth in the Juvenile, added: “It unfolded just how we thought it would. He’s still learning, but when they came to him, he got serious again. That’s what great horses do.”
Ted Noffey Proves His Mettle at Del Mar
The $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) lived up to its billing as one of the festival’s marquee events, drawing a high-class field of six at Del Mar. Early on, it was a tactical duel between the undefeated pair — Ted Noffey and Brant — with Brant setting a steady tempo through fractions of :23.46, :46.99, and 1:10.82. Velazquez kept Ted Noffey poised just off his rival’s flank, conserving energy for the decisive move.
As the field swung for home, Ted Noffey loomed up alongside Brant and the crowd’s cheers grew as the two colts battled stride for stride. In the final furlong, Pletcher’s colt found another gear, putting his head down and edging clear. Mr. A.P., finishing strongly from third, passed Brant late to claim second by half a length, while Brant bravely held third over stablemate Litmus Test. Intrepido and Comport completed the order of finish.
Ted Noffey, a Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief out of Streak of Luck (by Old Fashioned), has now captured three Grade 1 titles in just four starts. The Juvenile win earned $1,040,000, boosting his career total to $1,658,763 — and with it, a rising reputation as the sport’s next superstar.
The Future Looks Bright
While Pletcher and Velazquez savored another shared triumph, rival connections were far from disappointed. Trainer Vladimir Cerin praised runner-up Mr. A.P.’s maturity: “He’s improving all the time. I liked how he closed on a day when speed seemed to dominate.”
Bob Baffert, who saddled third- and fourth-place finishers Brant and Litmus Test, was pragmatic in defeat: “He was beat by a really good horse. Ted Noffey looked great in the paddock — Todd had him ready.”
Indeed, Ted Noffey looked every inch the champion — athletic, focused, and unflappable. His Del Mar win adds another glittering chapter to Pletcher’s storied career and marks Ted Noffey as one to watch on the road to the Triple Crown trail.
For now, the colt’s connections can savor the moment — an undefeated star shining brightly over the Pacific coast.
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