Ted Noffey is off Kentucky Derby trail with bone bruising
Ted Noffey is off the Kentucky Derby 2026 trail because of bone bruising.
Trainer Todd Pletcher told David Grening of Daily Racing Form that the 2-year-old male juvenile champ will be off for 90 days in hopes of returning for the Saratoga meet.
Pletcher said the colt showed signs of discomfort following a recent breeze, prompting further evaluation, according to a news release from Spendthrift Farm.
“Since his last breeze he hasn’t been moving as well as he normally does,” Pletcher said in the release. “Out of an abundance of caution we had him thoroughly examined, and the diagnosis came back as bruised condyles. Typically this issue requires about 90 days to resolve, so we’ll look to resume training around the first of May.”
Purchased by Spendthrift Farm for $650,000 as a yearling, Ted Noffey was undefeated last year, with Grade 1 wins in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Breeders' Futurity and Hopeful.
“Obviously we’re disappointed,” Spendthrift Farm general manager Ned Toffey said in the release. “But after discussions with Todd, the veterinary team, and owners Eric and Tammy Gustavson, we are all in agreement that giving the colt time off is the right decision. Our priority is his long-term health and career. With proper rest and turnout, we’re hopeful he’ll be back and ready to compete later this summer and fall.”
The Into Mischief colt was the early favorite for in Las Vegas futures for the Kentucky Derby, listed this week at 8-1, and the top individual choice in the latest Kentucky Derby Future wager at 6-1.
Ted Noffey was expected to make his 2026 debut in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park. He returned to the work tab at Palm Meadows on Jan. 16 and had a second breeze Friday, going four furlongs in 50.81 seconds.
Ted Noffey is another victim of the winter-book curse. He's the 16th horse since 2000 who entered the year as the winter-book favorite but miss the Kentucky Derby. He joins Macho Uno, Vindication, War Pass, Corniche and 11 others who never made the Churchill Downs starting gate, further proof that the Jan. 1 favorite rarely makes it to Louisville, let alone the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle.