Top marathoner Next pointing toward Brooklyn

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Next, who had been mentioned as possible for last weekend’s Grade 2 Suburban Stakes, is being pointed to the Grade 2, $200,000 Brooklyn at 1 3/8 miles at Aqueduct on July 5, trainer Doug Cowans said.

Cowans said he kept Next out of the Suburban because “I was very worried about the pace scenario. I felt the Brooklyn was the better spot. The longer the better for this horse.”

Next has won 10 of 20 starts and his last four. His most recent win streak began in last year’s Brooklyn when it was held at 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park. After that he won the 1 3/4-mile Birdstone at Saratoga by 11 3/4 lengths, the 1 1/2-mile Greenwood Cup at Parx by 25 lengths, and this year, the 12-furlong Isaac Murphy at Churchill Downs by 11 1/4 lengths.

“He can’t be doing any better out of the Isaac Murphy,” said Cowans, who planned to work the horse Thursday at Turfway Park.

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