Deterministic splashes to comeback win in Gotham

Mar 02, 2024 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Trainer Christophe Clement has a classic win in the 2014 Belmont S. (G1) to his credit and has been nominated multiple times to the Hall of Fame, but thus far has had limited opportunities to compete in the Kentucky Derby (G1) during his distinguished career. That is likely to change this year following Deterministic's victory in the $300,000 Gotham (G3) on Saturday at rainy Aqueduct.

Having his first outing since his Aug. 12 debut at Saratoga, a seven-furlong maiden which he won by a half-length, Deterministic was more than ready for this Gotham assignment. Breaking well from post 2 and always within a couple lengths of the leader over a sloppy track, Deterministic angled out to make his bid turning for home and then rallied inside El Grande O inside the final furlong to win by two lengths under Joel Rosario.

'He confirmed what we believed all along that he's top class,' said Miguel Clement, assistant to his father Christophe. 'His works have been top class, as well as his win at Saratoga. He validated it all today.'

DETERMINISTIC, 3YO son of @LanesEndFarms stallion Liam's Map, makes a push for the win in the Gotham (G3) under @JRosarioJockey for @clementstable! pic.twitter.com/Tw6R4QiTyp

— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) March 2, 2024

Owned by the partnership of St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable, Deterministic paid $9.80 as the second choice in a field of 11 three-year-olds. The final time was 1:36.37.

Just a Touch, the 17-10 favorite, rallied for second, a half-length in front of El Grande O. Early pacesetter Maximus Meridius weakened to fourth and was followed by the Clement-trained Capital Idea, Deposition, Lightline, Bergen, Eliminate, Facenda, and Air Cav.

Deterministic earned 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, virtually assuring him a spot in the starting gate. Just a Touch earned 25 points, El Grande O 15 points (increasing his total to 30), Maximus Meridius 10 points, and Capital Idea five points.

Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms and sold for $625,000 at Keeneland September, Deterministic is by Liam's Map and out of Giulio's Jewel, by Speightstown.

San Felipe (G2)

The final Road to the Kentucky Derby event of the weekend, the $294,000 San Felipe (G2), was switched from Saturday to Sunday, after an adverse forecast prompted Santa Anita to shift its entire card. Another decisive change involved the field, when Nysos, the 1-5 favorite on the morning line, was scratched.

In his absence, fellow Bob Baffert trainees Imagination and Wine Me Up turned the 1 1/16-mile affair into a virtual match race. Imagination, who inherited the mantle of favoritism at odds of 9-10, outdueled the 17-10 Wine Me Up by a head. Ridden by international legend Frankie Dettori, Imagination clocked 1:44.55 in his stakes debut.

Neither Imagination nor Wine Me Up was eligible for Derby points because Baffert is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. Third-placer Mc Vay added 15 points, increasing his total to 19, and the trailing Scatify picked up 10 more points for an overall tally of 16.

Owned by the consortium including SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables et al, Imagination was the only stakes newcomer in the four-horse field. The $1.05 million Keeneland September yearling has bankrolled $256,800 from his 5-2-3-0 line.

San Felipe addendum by Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com