Ted Noffey romps in Hopeful

Ted Noffey, a physically imposing gray two-year-old colt, manhandled six rivals to claim the $300,000 Hopeful (G1), the closing-day feature at Saratoga on Labor Day.

It was a fitting win in the historic seven-furlong test, which Spendthrift Farm sponsored. The farm owns Ted Noffey, a son of Spendthrift stallion Into Mischief, who was named in honor of farm manager Ned Toffey.

Despite the misspelling, Ted Noffey is a runner. A 1 1/2-length winner of his debut at Saratoga on Aug. 2, Ted Noffey was even more impressive in the Hopeful, drawing off to win by 8 1/2 lengths after a stalk-and-pounce trip following pacesetter Soldier N Diplomat.

A distant second in the Hopeful was 6-5 favorite Buetane, who finished a head in front of Curtain Call. Soldier N Diplomat weakened to fourth and was followed by Aye Eye, Romeo, and Flyin Hawaiian.

Ted Noffey covered the Hopeful course in 1:22.35 over a fast track and paid $9.62.

The Hopeful capped a tremendous holiday weekend for trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez, who also teamed up to capture the Pacific Classic (G1) on Saturday with Fierceness and the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on Sunday with Antiquarian.

"He broke good, put himself in a great spot, and it seemed like he was traveling well throughout. He finished up strong and galloped out great. It was everything you'd hope to see," said Pletcher, who also trained Saturday's Spinaway (G1) winner, Tommy Jo, for Spendthrift.

"I would think Keeneland would be a likely spot," added Pletcher, referring to the Oct. 4 Breeders' Futurity (G1) as a next race for Ted Noffey.

Ted Noffey, produced by the stakes-winning Old Fashioned mare Streak of Luck, was bred in Kentucky by Aaron and Marie Jones. He sold for $850,000 at Keeneland September.