Beyond Ted Noffey, Pletcher sets plans for 6 other Derby hopefuls
Delray Beach, Fla.
As the undefeated 2-year-old champion, Ted Noffey deserves to be the center of attention among the 3-year-olds in Todd Pletcher's care. But of course, the Hall of Fame trainer has others who could yet impress.
They include Nearly, who is entered in Saturday's Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park, with 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby 2026 qualifying points on offer.
The son of Not This Time sold for $350,000 as a yearling to Centennial Farms. He owns consecutive victories by a combined 14 1/4 lengths after a disappointing first start in which he finished last of six on Oct. 26 at Belmont at the Big A.
“We are very perplexed by his debut,” Pletcher said. “He’s a horse that had trained really well leading into that. He was super green. He resented kickback and just shied away from horses. It surprised us because he had been so professional leading into that, and his next two races have been excellent."
The 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull will be his first attempt at two turns.
“We’re excited about seeing him stretch out,” Pletcher said. “We feel he’s going to handle that, but he’s got to step up and prove it now.”
Speaking from his office at Palm Beach Downs, Pletcher provided updates on his other top 3-year-old Derby prospects.
Class President. He was training well last summer before a setback delayed his debut until a one-mile race on Dec. 27 at Gulfstream Park. The Uncle Mo colt drew off by 3 1/4 lengths with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. “I thought his debut was good,” Pletcher said. “He not only won but he had a little bit of traffic and had to alter course. I like the way he finished. He really lengthened out his stride the last part.” He likely will make his next start in an allowance race. If that goes well, a Derby prep would follow that.
Courting. The son of Curlin bears watching despite a fourth-place finish in the Remsen (G2) in his most recent start. He broke in and was bumped and found himself eight wide in the upper stretch. “I think that’s a horse that is under everyone’s radar at the moment. I think his fourth in the Remsen was much better than it looks on paper. The horses from the outside posts that day had a pretty rough beginning. He got squeezed back, put in a good run late. I think he’s the type that is going to get better with time. He’s a horse on the rise.” Courting was purchased as a yearling for $5 million and is owned by Whisper Hill Farm, Stonestreet Stables and Windancer Farm. Next up is the Feb. 14 Risen Star (G2).
Grittiness. This Curlin colt is not what owner Mike Repole thought he could be when he purchased him for $575,000 at Keeneland’s September yearling sale. He has one second-place finish through four starts and most recently came in fifth in the Dec. 6 Remsen. “The pedigree is there. We’ve seen hints from him in the morning that he’s better than what we’ve seen in the afternoon. He needs to step up and make a forward move here soon.” He will start next in the Jan. 31 Withers or Feb. 1 maiden race at Aqueduct. He will go in the maiden race if it fills.
Jackson Hole. By 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, Jackson Hole sold for $1.3 million as a yearling and is owned by WinStar Farm, CHC and First Go Racing. He is 2-for-2 and comes off a particularly impressive allowance victory at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds. He never looked back during a front-running victory in which he was 5 1/2 lengths the best for jockey Flavien Prat. “He ran a bit faster (1:44.71) than the Lecomte (1:44.98) later in the card. He’s on the trail now.”
Renegade. The Into Mischief colt was bred by Robert and Lawana Low, and Repole bought into a partnership with the Lows with a $975,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sale. Renegade registered consecutive second-place finishes after falling short in his debut. His most recent start in the Remsen was encouraging. “He took the worst of it in the Remsen on the first turn,” Pletcher said. “He got bounced around and hung out wide. I thought he ran a big race. I think he’s an improving colt.” He'll start next in the Feb. 7 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.