Star marathoner Next will stick with what he does best for at least one more start, trainer Doug Cowans reported Aug. 26. The long-distance sensation, winner of six consecutive races, will aim for an appearance in the Parx Racing starting gate to defend his title in the $200,000 Greenwood Cup (G3) Sept. 21.
Following his 22 1/4-length runaway in the Aug. 4 Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, Next entered the winner's circle to the pleas from surrounding fans to test the Classic division at 1 1/4 miles in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at the Spa Sept. 1.
Next was nominated for the Gold Cup—and entry was discussed by Cowans and owner Michael Foster—but essentially it was Next himself who decided.
"The decision was made by letting the horse tell me," Cowans said. "It took him a little longer to bounce back when we got back from Saratoga."
After resting for a few days the following week, the marathon king returned to the track and pleased Cowans when returning to the work tab with an easy half-mile in :49 4/5 at Turfway Park Aug. 21.
"The work went great. He can't be doing any better," Cowans said.
The Greenwood gives the 6-year-old Not This Time gelding seven weeks to fully recuperate from his win in the 1 3/4-mile Birdstone while also being placed six weeks ahead of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar, a target that is starting to grow on Next's radar.
"There's been talks about maybe going to the Breeders' Cup," Cowans said of his conversations with Foster. "If that's the case, I'd like to take him into the Breeders' Cup fresh. The timing of the races works out perfectly that way."
Which Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup race is yet to be determined. Next has gained his fame on the dirt, putting the $7 million Classic (G1) in play at 1 1/4 miles. However, his preferred 1 1/2-mile distance is offered in the $5 million Turf (G1T).
Next is no stranger to turf, having a 3-for-7 record on the surface, including a win in the one-mile War Chant Stakes at Churchill Downs in 2021. His dominance of the dirt marathon division began in a race that was supposed to be contested on turf but was moved to the main track due to weather: the 1 1/2-mile Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park in 2022.
"I keep reminding people, when this all started he was in on the grass," Cowans said. "It came off and he won so easy, it was hard to go back."
Cowans also received a preview of what could be in store for Next on the grass Aug. 24 when Far Bridge was able to set a relaxing pace and go gate-to-wire in the 1 1/2-mile Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga.
"I love the way the Sword Dancer played out," Cowans said. "I think (Next) would have been very competitive in the Sword Dancer if he took to the turf up there."
Although Cowans said the pace scenario of the Breeders' Cup Turf would likely favor Next more than the pace in the Classic, he's not ready to throw out the Classic as an option. That is why Next will remain on dirt in the Greenwood rather than test the grass in a 1 1/2-mile prep.
"This is another toss-up I'll have to go back and revisit after the Greenwood," Cowans said. "I'll just have to go one step at a time."
