Trainer Christophe Clement, who earlier in the week said Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Deterministic was "unlikely" to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after an eighth-place finish as the favorite in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack, made that decision official April 21.
"After speaking with the owners, the decision is made not to go for the Derby," Clement said Sunday. "He had a decent work this morning, we'll keep all the New York options open."
Deterministic is owned by St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, C. Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable. The son of Liam's Map had 50 qualifying points towards the Derby which was good for 16th on the Derby leaderboard.
The decision to not run Deterministic in the May 4 Run for the Roses opens a spot for Grand Mo the First, who most recently finished third in the Florida Derby (G1), to get into the body of the field for the first leg of the Triple Crown.
As for what's next for Deterministic, the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct, a prep race for the Belmont Stakes which will be held at Saratoga Race Course, might prove a logical choice.
Clement's words came Sunday after Deterministic returned to the work tab for the first time since the Wood Memorial. He covered five furlongs in 1:02 3/5 in the company with The Shoe Lady at Belmont Park Sunday morning.
"He came back alright, he had a maintenance work," said Clement. "He looked well."
