Pegasus World Cup Turf Profile: Next Shares

By Margaret Ransom

Next Shares – Photo courtesy of Benoit Photo / dmtc.com

Next Shares, one of the runners who brought co-owner Michael Iavarone back into racing after the demise of IEAH Stables (remember Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown?), has been a bit of a head scratcher.

He seems to be either right there for a win or a large chunk, or well back, like his was to finish seventh in last year’s Pegasus World Cup Turf.  He has won four stakes – three graded – since agent David Meah paid $190,000 for him in November of 2017 and his Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) victory at Keeneland in 2018 was spectacular. He’s long on talent — the issue is which Next Shares shows up for the PWC Turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25.

“When I saw him I was instantly ‘wowed’ by him, no horse had ever struck me like he did that day at the Keeneland sale,” Meah said. “I couldn’t stop thinking about him and how I could round up the money to buy him. He just screamed out to me ‘Grade 1 winner’ not just horse. So I bought him, I couldn’t go home without him.

“It took me four days to get him sold and those were the longest four days of my life, but hey look at it now! It’s been a hell of a ride and there are plenty more big days ahead, I think. Richie (Baltas) has done a wonderful job and I believe everyone who invested in my belief and the horse himself have been thoroughly rewarded and are happy.”

Next Shares

Trainer: Richard Baltas

Owners: Debby Baltas, Richard Baltas, Christopher T. Dunn, Jules Iavarone, Michael Iavarone, Jerry McClanahan, Ritchie Robershaw and Mark Taylor

Career record: 29-7-4-2

Career earnings:  $1,677,771

Pedigree: Archarcharch—Two Dot Slew, by Evansville Slew

Age: 7

Running style: Closer

Handicapping Insights:

“Seventh in this race last year; can’t recommend.’’ – Ed McNamara

“Comes in off G2 turf win at Del Mar, but with exception of a hot streak in second half of 2018 he doesn’t seem up to the task at this level. More of a turf miler typ.’’ – Noel Michaels

Notes: Bred in Kentucky by Buck Pond Farm … won the Old Friends Stakes at Kentucky Downs, guaranteeing himself a retirement spot at Old Friends when his racing days are over … originally an $87,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling in 2014 and sold to Michael Foster, who sent him to trainer William Cowans in Kentucky … has started at 10 tracks from coast to coast since debut in 2015.

 Pegasus World Cup Turf 2020 Contenders (Invitees)
Horse Owner Trainer
Admission Office Amerman Racing Brian Lynch
Arklow Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger, Peter Coneway Brad Cox
Channel Cat Calumet Farm Todd Pletcher
Henley’s Joy Bloom Racing Stable Michael Maker
Instilled Regard OXO Equine Chad Brown
Magic Wand Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier Aidan O’Brien
Mo Forza Bardy Farm, OG Boss Peter Mille
Next Shares Debby Baltas, Richard Baltas, Christopher Dunn,
Jules Iavarone, Michael Iavarone, Jerry McClanahan,
Ritchie Robershaw, Mark Taylor
Richard Baltas
Sacred Life Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, Bethlehem Stables Chad Brown
Sadler’s Joy Woodslane Farm Tom Albertrani
Without Parole John D. Gunther, Tanya Gunther Chad Brown
Zulu Alpha Michael Hui Michael Maker
Reserve Invitees in Order of Preference
Horse Owner Trainer
American Tattoo Calumet Farm, John Anthony Stables Todd Pletcher
Mr. Misunderstood Flurry Racing Stables Brad Cox
Synchrony Pin Oak Stable Michael Stidham
Tusk Jordan V. Wycoff Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Find more Pegasus World Cup Picks and Pegasus World Cup Turf Entries Profile here:

Diamond Oops

Spun to Run

Math Wizard

Channel Cat

Higher Power

Seeking the Soul

Mo Forza

Arklow

Tax