Photograph: Carlos J. Calo / Eclipse Sportswire
Undefeated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner Ted Nophy Earlier than beginning, both the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) on January thirty first or the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on February twenty eighth are thought-about to be the favorites. florida derby (G1) March 28, Gulfstream Park.
Corridor of Fame coach Todd Pletcher has motive to be optimistic about the opportunity of including a ninth Florida Derby winner in historical past to the 2025-2026 championship sport, which begins Thursday.
“He had the perfect two-year-old season possible, profitable three Group 1s from his debut and culminating within the Breeders’ Cup. He dealt with every thing we requested of him, stepping up at school, gaining distance and delivery everywhere in the nation,” coach Pletcher mentioned. “I can not say sufficient good issues about him.”
“We do not have every thing nailed down but. We will take it very straightforward with him in November. We will go in a couple of completely different instructions with him, perhaps get him prepared for the Florida Derby and go to Holy Bull for his return. If we really feel like we wish to give him a bit extra time, we would have the ability to anticipate the Fountain of Youth,” Pletcher mentioned. “In any case, we’ll take this month very slowly to let him clean up after which get again to severe coaching and let him information us after we wish to make a comeback.”
Into Mischief, out of Spendthrift Farm, made his debut at Saratoga on Aug. 2 and ran away by 8 1/2 lengths within the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Spa on Sept. 1. Ted Nophy raced at Keeneland and received the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity (G1) by 2 3/4 lengths, profitable across the second nook. He closed out the 2025 season by profitable the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by the gap.
Pletcher has visited the Florida Derby winner’s circle with Fierceness (2024), Forte (2023), Identified Agenda (2021), Audible (2018), All the time Dreaming (2017), Materiality (2015), Structure (2014) and Scat Daddy (2007). All the time Dreaming received the Kentucky Derby.
