In a stylish defense of his title–though the word feels underwhelming to describe the ease–Next (Not This Time) did what Next does best in the Birdstone Stakes: turning a marathon into a runaway.
Racing on appointment only the last couple of seasons, his smallest margin of victory came in his first appearance in the GII Brooklyn Stakes last year, where he defeated SW & MGSP Calibrate (Distorted Humor) by 2 1/4 lengths. His largest came when he wrapped 2023 a 25-length winner in Parx's Sept. 23 GIII Greenwood Cup, but this margin came close to breaking that personal record.
In 2024, he's been equally as spectacular, dominating the Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes May 1 by 11 1/4 lengths beneath the Twin Spires, and successfully defended his crown as the king of the Brooklyn when he coasted home 9 1/4 lengths best over GSW & MGISP Crupi (Curlin) last out.
Breaking well, Next found himself briefly sitting off the slow pace set by Time for Trouble (English Channel), who offered an opening quarter in :25.12 but was pulled up coming off the first bend as he made his way to the center of the course and was walked off.
Slip Mahoney (Arrogate) assumed the command and was in the lead across the wire for the first time after a half in :51.09. The trio bunched together through the second bend and into the backstretch, but Next was already keen to get going as he ranged up on the outside of that leader. Masqueparade (Upstart) was content to watch it all unfold and even tried to launch a bid entering the final bend as Slip Mahoney threw out the white flag, but Next had yet to be asked.
When the time finally came, the 1-9 overwhelming favorite ran like the sure thing his odds suggested, shrugging off the would-be challenger entering the lane for the final time and cruising to an effortless 22 1/4-length Tour de Force over that runner-up. It would be a daunting 96 1/4 lengths back to Slip Mahoney. Next has now won six straight stakes at the listed and graded level.
“As always, he showed up with his 'A' game. The horse outdoes himself every time and he's just a nice horse. Fun to be around and I enjoy training him,” said Doug Cowans.
Cowans would not commit to going when asked about the potential of trying his marathon star in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Sept. 1, which is a 'Win and You're In' race for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.
“Well, we will see how things go. When we get home, we will make a plan. I stick to what I've always said, the horse, you can watch him in the races, he really enjoys himself out there, loves doing what he's doing. So when I start to shorten him down, I don't know how well he will like it, but maybe we will have to try it at some point.”
It was sentiment owner Michael Foster echoed, “I have no comment. As I've said before, I'm just the guy who writes the check. His team and Doug will make the decision.”
“Of course, Doug and I will talk about it. If you ask me if I'd love to see him in the Gold Cup is something I'd say yes to, but we don't have any plans right now. We'll see how he comes back home tomorrow.”
Next is the last registered offspring for Bahia Beach, who only produced three foals and all of whom were winners including Just Hattie (Quality Road)–now a broodmare with her most recent being a 2024 Mind Control colt–and the nine-time winning English Challenge (English Channel). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
That was NEXT LEVEL! 🏇🏼 NEXT wins the Birdstone Stakes impressively for the second year in a row with @luanmachado85 aboard for trainer @doug_cowans! pic.twitter.com/twYyuHGf9W
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 4, 2024
BIRDSTONE S., $130,500, Saratoga, 8-4, 4yo/up, 1 3/4m, 2:57.83, ft.
1–NEXT, 124, g, 6, Not This Time–Bahia Beach (MSP, $141,104), by Awesome Again. O-Michael A. Foster; B-Silverton Hill, LLC (KY); T-William D. Cowans; J-Luan Machado. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 22-12-0-1, $1,228,361.
2–Masqueparade, 120, g, 6, Upstart–Cry War Eagle, by Any Given Saturday. ($100,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV; $180,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-John Holleman; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Rob Atras. $30,000.
3–Slip Mahoney, 120, g, 4, Arrogate–Got Lucky, by A.P. Indy. ($150,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Gold Square LLC; B-Hill 'N' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. & Philip J. Steinberg (KY); T-Chad Summers. $18,000.
Margins: 22 1/4, 96 1/4, NO. Odds: 0.05, 10.50, 15.20.
Also Ran: Time for Trouble. Scratched: Nimitz Class.
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