Michael A. Foster's Next romped to an easy victory in the $150,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park today.
The Cape Henlopen was originally scheduled to be run at the about distance of mile and a half on the grass, but was transferred to the wet fast main track due to the soaking rains in the region on Monday and Tuesday.
With Luan Machado aboard, the 4-year-old son of Not This Time won by 18 1/4-lengths and lowered the track for a mile and a half on the main track to 2:30.25. The previous record was held by Bam who covered the distance at Delaware Park in 2:31 on June 26, 1948.
Next, a Kentucky-bred trained by William D. Cowans returned $8.40 as the third choice in the field of five.
Vance Scholars, with Jorge Ruiz, finished second. It was another 3 3/4-lengths farther back to the 4-to-5 favorite Alex Joon, with Forest Boyce, in third.
“He is an extremely nice and easy horse to ride,” said winning rider Luan Machado. “I thought we could have been on the front, but I did not get the break. He broke good but not as fast as I thought he could be, so I just took a hold on him and let him settle into a nice pace. When I asked him, he responded so quick, fast and easy, it was something. He really exploded in the stretch, but he was just breezing.”
Next raised his career record to five wins from 14 starts with earnings of $360,844. The Cape Henlopen is his second career stake victory. Last year, he won the $150,000 War Chant Stakes at Churchill Downs.
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