Next working again, but no plans yet for 7-year-old debut start

The standout marathon runner Next has logged a few works this winter at Turfway Park, but where and when he will launch his 7-year-old season has yet to be determined, trainer Doug Cowans said.

Next last raced in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, finishing 14th in the Nov. 2 race after winning seven consecutive marathon stakes. His streak dated to June 2023 in the Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont Park.

Next has worked three-eighths twice this winter, on Feb. 15 and on Feb. 22.

“He had a few little setbacks here with the weather, and he got a little sick in January, and we’re just kind of getting him back going right now,” Cowans said. “We don’t have anything planned for him other than just kind of getting him back on track here.

“It looks like they canceled the Brooklyn and he’s going to miss the Isaac Murphy [in May at Churchill Downs], so really there’s just no plan for the horse other than getting him back on track and go from there. He’s seven years old and we're just trying to get back on track and hopefully win a couple of races by mid-summer with the horse.”

Cowans said Next would strictly focus on marathon races this year. The horse built his win streak in races at distances of 1 3/8 miles to 1 3/4 miles and was shortening up to 1 1/4 miles for the Classic.

Next, a gelding by Not This Time, races for Michael Foster.

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