Into Mischief’s Ted Noffey seals championship honors in Breeders Cup Juvenile (G1)

Ted Noffey capped a perfect 2-year-old campaign Friday at Del Mar with his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Ted Noffey is an all-time record ninth Breeders’ Cup winner for Into Mischief.

Ted Noffey came out well to settle into second, with the highly-regarded Brant setting the pace. Ted Noffey stayed within a length of Brant through six furlongs, then ranged up along side the pacesetter just outside the quarter pole. Ted Noffey got the lead soon after turning for home, then dug in gamely down the lane, with Brant fading in the final sixteenth as Mr. A. P. came late for second, a length behind Ted Noffey on the wire.

Ted Noffey completed the 1 1/16-miles on a fast track in 1:42.25.

“I think the thing that has struck me about it is just the reaction from people, just all the well wishes and people seem to get a charge out of it,” Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey said of his namesake. “So, that’s fun. I think we’re having fun with it. People are having fun with it. I think that’s a good thing for the sport.”

Spendthrift Farm owner Eric Gustavson added, “We just feel so blessed to have Ted, and the two Hall of Famers (trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez) got all that God-given ability out of him and that we’re sitting here today. What a thrill.”

Bred in Kentucky by Aaron and Marie Jones, Ted Noffey won at first asking on Aug. 2 at Saratoga, then won the Hopeful S. (G1) and Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland to complete his Breeders’ Cup preparations.

Virtually assured to be named the 2-year-old male Eclipse Award winner, Ted Noffey has earned $1,657,963.