After emerging late last year as a potential top-shelf long-distance horse, Next further confirmed that status on Saturday with a front-running score in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Stakes at Belmont Park.
The 5-year-old Not This Time gelding was chased by post time favorite and last year's Brooklyn runner-up Warrant through an opening quarter in :24.37 and a half in :50.02, while Red Run and Calibrate followed in the second flight.
Under a cool ride by jockey Luan Machado, Next allowed Warrant to approach his throat latch through a mile in 1:41.62, and he had turned that rival away as they turned for the stretch, clocking 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.82. Machado kept his mount to task while clear down the stretch, and he crossed the wire 2 1/4 lengths ahead of a late-gaining Calibrate. Red Run carried on for third, 3 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up, while Warrant faded to fourth.
Next completed the 1 1/2-furlong race in 2:31.01 over a fast main track. He paid $8.70 to win.
William Cowans saddled Next for owner Michael Foster, who claimed the gelding for $62,500 out of a seven-furlong race at Keeneland last April. Next has never raced at a distance shorter than 1 1/8 miles since then, highlighted by a 18 1/4-length score in the Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park and a 6 1/4 triumph in the G2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at Keeneland on the Breeders' Cup undercard.
Next was bred in Kentucky by Silverton Hill Farm, out of the Awesome Again mare Bahia Beach.
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