Gulfstream Park news desk

Unbeaten 2YO begins path toward Curlin Florida Derby

From HALLANDALE BEACH, FL, anticipation for the 2025–2026 Championship Meet will crest not around the Pegasus World Cup (G1) worth $3 million or the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) carrying $1 million, but around the 2026 unveiling of undefeated Ted Noffey at Gulfstream Park on the main stage; for example, many fans pencil in travel plans well ahead.

At Gulfstream Park, Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher — an 18-time Championship Meet titlist — views the 2025–2026 stand as an opening to capture a record ninth Florida Derby, with the meet scheduled to begin on Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day, a milestone moment akin to a dynasty stretch.

“For a two-year-old, his season could hardly have been scripted better,” Pletcher said, pointing to a climb from debut to a trio of Grade 1 wins that finished with the Breeders’ Cup. “Every assignment we set — tougher fields, longer trips, and shipping coast-to-coast — was handled cleanly; the horse kept answering the bell,” he added. “Praise for him could go on without end, for example when you watch his professional gate manners.”

After capping 2025 with a victory in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on Oct. 31 at Del Mar, Ted Noffey is penciled in to reappear in 2026 either in the Holy Bull (G3) for $250,000 on Jan. 31 or the Coolmore Fountain of Youth (G2) at one and one-sixteenth miles on Feb. 28. Then the route is expected to flow into the 75th running of the Curlin Florida Derby at one and one-eighth miles on March 28, a classic prep race progression.

“Nothing is locked down yet. November will be deliberately light as a freshening, basically easy days to let him recharge,” Pletcher said. “From there, two lanes exist: we could use the Holy Bull as the comeback to set up the Florida Derby, or gift him a little more time and aim for the Fountain of Youth. As training tightens and his form cycle speaks up, he’ll tell us when to pull the trigger on the return.”

Spendthrift Farm LLC’s colt by Into Mischief won at first asking on Aug. 2 at Saratoga, then crushed the Hopeful at seven furlongs by eight and one-half lengths on Sept. 1 at the Upstate New York oval, for instance drawing off inside the final furlong. Sent to Keeneland, Ted Noffey stretched successfully around two turns and annexed the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at one and one-sixteenth miles by two and three-quarter lengths. He wrapped the 2025 campaign with a one-length score in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at one and one-sixteenth miles.

Pletcher’s Florida Derby honor roll features Fierceness (2024), Forte (2023), Known Agenda (2021), Audible (2018), Always Dreaming (2017), Materiality (2015), Constitution (2014) and Scat Daddy (2007), a lineup typical of a powerhouse stable. From that list, Always Dreaming subsequently captured the Kentucky Derby (G1), underscoring elite class.

Pletcher also conditions the turf prospect Final Score, a Not This Time colt who ended his juvenile season with consecutive victories in the With Anticipation (G3) at Saratoga and the Bourbon (G2) at Keeneland, a neat double for a grass runner.

“No plans are on paper yet; he’s getting a freshening in Ocala,” Pletcher said. “We probably won’t unveil him until late in the meet as the stakes schedule takes shape.”

In the older-horse ranks, three Grade 1 performers — Fierceness, Mindframe and Locked — have been retired to stud, trimming that division. Antiquarian, winner of last year’s Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga, is slated to return for a 2026 campaign, for example targeting a spring launch.

“A short break at Centennial Farm in Virginia is on tap,” Pletcher said. “We expect to bring him back around Christmas time, and specific race targets will be decided later.”