Coach Doug Cowans and proprietor Michael Foster always search for alternatives within the claiming ranks. They commit hours to scrutinizing previous performances and race replays in an incessant seek for horses they imagine are underachieving and might be improved.
Cowans can not put into phrases precisely what drew him to Subsequent as he noticed him over a number of begins. It was extra instinct than anything. When the gelded son of Not This Time was made accessible for a $62,500 claiming value — a “claiming race” is a race through which every horse entered is eligible to be bought at a set value — in a seven-furlong filth race on April 16, 2022, at Keeneland, Cowans rapidly known as Foster.
“I’ve watched this horse all winter. There’s something about this horse I actually like,” he advised the proprietor. “I believe we must always take a shot.”
They have been the one ones to make a declare as Subsequent completed ninth of 11, crushed by 23 ½ lengths. Regardless of that dismal end result, the veteran coach grew to become more and more intrigued by the grey gelding the extra he acquired to know him.
“As I began to breeze the horse, he had numerous stamina. He was totally different from all the different horses I had been round,” Cowans mentioned. ‘His gallop outs after his breezes have been unbelievable, like no horse I’d seen. He’d come again to the barn like he didn’t even breeze.”
Quick ahead to the current. Because of Cowans and mild dealing with from jockey Luan Machado, Subsequent absolutely ranks among the many finest claims made, no less than in trendy historical past. He reworked into racing’s Marathon Man, a seemingly tireless runner who discovered a house in long-distance races. He would experience a seven-race profitable streak into a possible Breeders’ Cup begin, with the $7 million Longines Traditional and the $5 million Longines Turf into account.
Subsequent’s mixed margin of victory in these seven races? An astounding 91 ¾ lengths. He has not misplaced since Could 3, 2023, when he completed third within the Isaac Murphy Marathon In a single day Stakes at Churchill Downs. He’s excellent by means of 4 begins this season, boosting his lifetime earnings to $1,336,361.
“I maintain looking for phrases to explain this horse. He’s simply an incredible animal altogether,” Foster mentioned. “He’s one thing you dream about.”
The seven-race blitz is comprised of the 1 ½-mile Isaac Murphy, the Grade 2 Brooklyn Stakes (twice, as soon as at 1 ½ miles after which at 1 3/8 miles) in New York, the 1 ¾-mile Birdstone Stakes (twice) at Saratoga and the 1 ½-mile Grade 3 Greenwood Cup Stakes (twice) at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa. In his most up-to-date begin, he took it straightforward on the opposite overmatched runners within the Sept. 21 Greenwood Cup and bested them by 10 lengths. He had dusted them by 25 lengths the earlier September.
“There is no such thing as a horse in racing that dominates the competitors like he does,” Cowans mentioned.
The winner of 13 of 23 profession begins seems to be virtually unbeatable at a recreation comparatively few horses have the endurance and coronary heart to play. And he is aware of it.
“He’s a showcase. He likes to have his image taken,” Foster mentioned. “He desires everyone to know he’s round and he’s the man.”
As flawless as Subsequent has been, the connections are hesitant about advancing to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will likely be contested Nov. 1 -2 at Del Mar. Whereas there may be massive cash and a complete lot of status to be gained there, there is no such thing as a superb spot.
The Traditional is run at a mile and 1 / 4. For a lot of runners, that distance is a attain. For Subsequent, it could be 1 / 4 of a mile too brief. He would get the bottom he craves within the Turf. Meaning a return to grass, a floor he has proven he can deal with however which he has not competed on in additional than two years.
“The issue with the Breeders’ Cup for me is I’m going to have to surrender certainly one of two issues, both distance or floor,” mentioned Cowans.
Foster, 74, is a severe handicapper who has owned horses for 18 years. He would really like nothing greater than to see his Marathon Man bear his silks on the season-culminating championships. On the identical time, the previous Wall Road mover and shaker emphasizes his want to at all times put his horse first. He understands what a giant ask the Breeders’ Cup can be.
“You’re going to see the most effective of the most effective,” he mentioned. “You’ve acquired to step up and produce one thing operating or don’t waste your time.”
In accordance with Cowans, Subsequent got here out of the Greenwood Cup nicely. The plan is to breeze him on Oct. 8 at his Turfway Park residence base and decide pretty quickly after that.
“The horse is my foremost concern,” the coach mentioned. “In the end, that’s one of many massive causes the breeze goes to find out numerous this. If there may be anyone factor that claims that is in all probability not the most effective factor to do, then we’ll scrap the entire concept.”
In the meantime, Subsequent’s legion of followers are desirous to be taught what’s subsequent for the exceptional gelding.
