Next takes the Birdstone in his last visit to the NYRA circuit (NYRA/Coglianese)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y.— Michael A. Foster’s multiple-graded stakes-winning dirt marathoner Next is under consideration to cut back in distance for the 1 1/4-mile Grade 2, $350,000 Suburban on June 8 Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga Race Course, or wait for the 1 3/8-mile Grade 2, $200,000 Brooklyn on July 5, at Belmont at the Big A.
Trained by William “Doug” Cowans, the 6-year-old Not This Time gray has won his last three starts by a combined 48 lengths, most recently taking the 12-furlong Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight by 11 1/4-lengths on May 1 at Churchill Downs. It was his fourth consecutive dirt marathon victory, a streak that began last June in the then 12-furlong Grade 2 Brooklyn on Belmont Stakes Day at Belmont Park.
“We got him nominated to the Suburban and that’s probably 50/50, just depending on how the race shapes up. I think the mile and a quarter is probably a little short for the horse,” Cowans said. “If he doesn’t go for the Suburban, he will definitely go for the Brooklyn in July at Aqueduct.”
Next’s last seven efforts have come at 1 1/2-miles and beyond, winning six, including by an eye-catching 25 lengths in the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup in September at Parx Racing and a widening 6 1/4-lengths in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance in September 2022 at Churchill.
Cowans said the Suburban decision will be based on possible pace-scenarios that could involve the usually-forwardly placed Next.
“It is more about the pace scenario than the field size. If the race looks like it is going to be fast, I’ll probably skip it because I’ve felt he enjoys those marathon races because of the pace scenario,” Cowans explained. “I’d like to see a little bit of a slower pace so that the tempo of the race isn’t too quick.”
“I’m afraid when the tempo picks up that he’s going to be close no matter what. So if they go a half in 46, he will still be up there close. He has a good turn of foot, but I just think that the kick you see in the marathon races is due to the pace scenario of the race,” Cowans added.
Cowans said that down the line he hopes to see Next defend his title in Saratoga’s Listed $150,000 Birdstone, a 1 3/4-mile test for older horses on August 4. He won last year’s edition by 11 3/4 lengths in July.
“The races that are for sure marked are the Brooklyn, Birdstone, then back to Parx for the Greenwood,” Cowans said.
Regular rider Luan Machado will ride regardless of where, according to Cowans.
Next began his career mainly on turf for conditioner Wesley Ward and won the one-mile War Chant at Churchill Downs as a sophomore. In April 2022, Cowans haltered him for $62,500 out of a distant ninth-place effort sprinting on the Keeneland main track. He made his dirt marathon debut in the Cape Henlopen the following September at Delaware Park, where he crushed the off-the-turf stake by 18 1/4-lengths.
