Next returns to break track record with romp in Isaac Murphy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – About the only blip on marathon specialist Next's résumé at these distances was last year’s Isaac Murphy Marathon at Churchill Downs, when trainer William “Doug” Cowans felt he had the gelding “a little bit light” in his training, and Next finished third in his season debut before proceeding to rip through his next three starts.

“As a trainer, you learn from your mistakes,” Cowans said.

Cowans trained Next more aggressively in to his 2024 debut, and the gelding responded with an authoritative victory in Wednesday’s edition of the $200,000 Isaac Murphy, coasting by 11 1/4 lengths and breaking the track record for 1 1/2 miles for emphasis.

“Every time I think this horse is as good as he can be, but then he proves me wrong,” Cowans said.

Next ($3.94) was last seen under colors in September, when he rolled by 25 lengths in the Grade 2 Greenwood Cup going 1 1/2 miles at Parx. That gave him five victories from his six stakes starts at 1 1/2 miles or longer, with the Murphy the only loss. Cowans again circled the race at Churchill Downs for the big gray’s 2024 debut.

“This year, I trained him much different, giving him a little bit more, seeing what he can handle, breezes a little closer together, a little sturdier gallops,” Cowans said. “And as I gave it to him, he took it, and I knew right away it was going to be a different scenario this year.”

Next broke well and settled in second under Luan Machado. Classic Causeway, coming off a close second in the Temperence Hill Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Oaklawn Park in his seasonal debut, was unchallenged early, leading by up to two lengths. Classic Causeway set an honest but very comfortable pace, getting the opening quarter-mile in 24.64 seconds, the half in 48.71, and six furlongs in 1:13.45.

Next began reeling the leader in nearing the end of the backstretch, and pounced on the far turn, taking over with authority to bring better than a three-length lead to the quarter pole. From there, he was never seriously challenged to the wire, opening up to his final margin while Dai Vernon rallied for second.

Masqueparade was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third. He was followed, in order, by Red Run, Classic Causeway, Master Game, O P Firecracker, and Donegal Forever.

Next finished the 1 1/2 miles on a track rated fast on a hot spring day in 2:27.93. That shattered the prior track mark of 2:29.58 seconds, established by Ry’s the Guy winning this race when it was contested in September 2020 due to the pandemic.

“For me, this was for the horse more than me,” Cowans said of Next, a $62,500 claim in 2022 who has now achieved millionaire status. “I messed last year up.”

Cowans said Next may be pointed to the Grade 2, $350,000 Suburban on June 8 at Saratoga, due to the timing of the race in his schedule, but expressed concern that the 1 1/4 miles may actually be too short for the gelding. He said Next will definitely target the Grade 2, $200,000 Brooklyn Invitational on July 5, to be contested at 1 3/8 miles at Aqueduct.

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