SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Doug Cowans welcomes the pressure of running a 1-9 shot in Saratoga. “I prefer to be 1-9 only because I know I’m in the right spot,” Cowans said. Next, the premier marathon dirt horse in North America, certainly looks to be in the right spot in Sunday’s $150,000 Birdstone Stakes, where he will go for his sixth consecutive victory against four seemingly overmatched rivals in the 1 3/4-mile race. Next’s current five-race winning streak began in the Grade 2 Brooklyn in June 2023 and includes an 11 3/4-length victory in last year’s Birdstone, where he defeated six rivals. Last out, Next was a dominant 9 1/4-length winner of the Grade 2 Brooklyn at Aqueduct on July 5. Cowans said Next came out of the Brooklyn in good shape but he only breezed him once at Turfway Park between starts, which was not by design. :: Gain a competitive edge at Saratoga with DRF's premier handicapping data — purchase our meet packages today and bet with confidence. “The breeze schedule didn’t fall right into place, it’s just the way it went this time,” Cowans said. “But yes, I’m confident as with any horse when they’re doing well and you get them in the right spot.” Luan Machado rides Next from post 5. Time for Trouble, second to Next in the Birdstone last year, is back to take him on again this year. Masqueparade, who has been soundly beaten by Next in the Issac Murphy at Churchill Downs and the Brooklyn, Slip Mahoney, and Nimitz Class round out the field. To date, Cowans and owner Michael Foster have resisted the calls to take on a different challenge and run Next in a more prestigious race at a shorter distance. Cowans said that the Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles on Sept.1 is being considered. “One race at a time,” Cowans said. “We’ll see how Sunday goes, how he exits the race, then we’ll make a decision on what to do next with Next.” Sunday’s Birdstone is carded as race 2. There will be no show wagering. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.