In the days leading up to the 41st Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California, usracing.com is publishing profiles of the horses in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 2. Profiles will be updated following the post-position draw on Monday, Oct. 28.
When many thoroughbreds are stretched out beyond 1 1/8 miles, the question is, “Can he get the distance?”
With Next, the question is: “Is 1 ¼ miles far enough?”
America’s top marathoner – he’s nine for 10 in his most recent starts at 1 3/8 miles or more – will be making his first start at 10 furlongs in the Classic. His connections, owner Michael Foster and trainer Doug Cowans, had cross-entered him in the 1 ½-mile Turf, but elected to skip that race in favor of the Classic.
“We feel the dirt will give us more answers at this point in time,” said Cowans. “If we would have gone turf, we might have walked away not knowing much. This will tell us to stay in our own lane or we can learn that he can run in some 1 ¼-mile dirt races next year.”
Next had spent the first part of his career primarily on all-weather surfaces or the turf. (It may be hard to believe, but he actually broke his maiden going 6 1/2 furlongs on the grass.) By early 2022, he had won three of his 10 starts and earned $234,194. He also had caught the eye of Cowens, who saw something he liked about the gelded gray son of Not This Time.
So, when he was entered for a $62,500 tag going seven furlongs at Keeneland (he finished ninth), Cowans and Foster claimed him. He finished first and fourth in his first two starts for his new connections going 1 1/8 miles on the turf, but it wasn’t until Next ran off to an astonishing 18 ¼-length victory in an off-the-turf race at Delaware that they got a glimpse into where his real talents were.
The rest, as they say, is in the record books.
Looking forward to Saturday’s race, Cowans said he is not as concerned about the distance as he is getting Next into his natural rhythm.
“My game plan is to play the same game I do when he runs 1 ½ miles. That is, not to worry about where he is positioned. More so, I’ll worry about getting him into his rhythm, and once he gets into his rhythm, let him do his thing. We’ll hope for the best and hope this plays into his hands.”
Betting advice: This is his first start in a Grade 1 race. He’ll be facing some of the most accomplished horses in the world. His jockey, Luan Machado, has never ridden in the Breeders’ Cup. Still, it’s hard not to root for him. Use him if so inclined.
Post Position: 14
Odds: 8-1
Jockey: Luan Machado
Trainer: Doug Cowans
Owner: Michael Foster
Career record: 23-13-0-1
Age: 6
Career earnings: $1,336,361
Last race: Greenwood Cup (1st), Parx Racing, Sept. 21
Top Equibase speed figure: 110
Pedigree: Not This Time-Bahia Beach, by Awesome Again
Color: Gray
Running style: Front-runner
Notes: Next had his final pre-Classic tune-up at his home track, Turfway Park, on Oct. 24, covering 5 furlongs in 1:01.24 on the all-weather track. Said Cowans: “It couldn’t have gone any better. He’s at the top of his game.” … Next’s current seven-race win streak, which began in the Brooklyn (G2) at Belmont Park last June, was won by a combined margin of 91 ¾ lengths, including a 25-length win in the 2023 Greenwood Cup (G3) and a 22 1/2-length triumph in the Birdstone this past August at Saratoga.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
