Marathon Specialist Next Romps To New Track Record In Isaac Murphy

Michael Foster’s Next returned to the races in style by romping to an 11 1/4-length victory in the sixth running of the $200,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes at Churchill DOnws.

Trained by Doug Cowans and ridden by Luan Machado, Next completed the mile and a half on a fast track in a stakes-record time of 2:27.93 in his first start since winning the Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx by 25 lengths in September.

Next was defeated in this race last year, but was geared down at the wire in this year's record-setting victory.

“Last year when we went in this race, I had a little issue with him beforehand, so I trained him light," Cowans said. "This time I had him nice and tight and we were ready to go. He’s amazing. He gets in that rhythm and he’s double tough to beat. Today he probably ran the best he ever has. He’ll go next in the Suburban (June 8 at Saratoga).”

Classic Causeway raced off to an unopposed lead through fractions of :24.64, :48.71, 1:13.45 and 1:38.22 with Next chasing in second. Approaching the far turn, Next began to close in and then swept past at the three-eighths pole and the race was over.

“Up the backside, I saw Brian (Hernandez Jr., aboard Classic Causeway) open up but I was getting closer without even asking my horse," Machado said. "On the far turn, I was just galloping up beside him and I could tell I still had a ton of horse. I was just a passenger from there on.”

With the victory, the fourth in a row for Next, he became a millionaire. The winner’s share of $120,189 increased his earnings to $1,035,861 with a record of 20-10-0-1.

Favored in the field of eight, Next returned $3.94, $3.44 and $2.32. Next is a 6-year-old gelded son of Not This Time bred in Kentucky by Silverton Hill.

Dai Vernon, ridden by Luis Saez, returned $9.58 and $5.74 and finished 2 ¼ lengths in front of Masqueparade, who paid $3.76 to show under Cristian Torres.

It was another 5 ¾ lengths back to Red Run with Classic Causeway, Master Game, O P Firecracker and Donegal Forever following in order.