After rating comfortably behind My Boy Prince early, Deterministic quickly overwhelmed that front-runner and drew off in the stretch to post his most impressive win to date Aug. 2 in the $750,000 Fourstardave Stakes (G1T) on the inner turf at Saratoga Race Course.
With the 1 1/4-length win in the grade 1 test at a mile, Deterministic secured his second straight grade 1 victory, third straight graded stakes win, and threw his bridle into the conversation of the top turf males in North America.
Winning trainer Miguel Clement, who secured the first grade 1 victory of his career with Deterministic's narrow victory in his previous start, the 1 1/8-mile Manhattan Stakes (G1T) June 8 on the Saratoga inner course, said the 4-year-old son of Liam's Map has always been good but may be improving.
"Maybe we got it just right," Clement said. "Maybe his tactical speed benefits him more, I'm not sure. But right now, he's very, very good."
With the win, St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable's Deterministic secured a guaranteed, fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) Nov. 1 at Del Mar as the Fourstardave is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In race.
In Saturday's test that drew 10 older horses, My Boy Prince, who had been sprinting in his past three races including a runner-up finish in the Jaipur Stakes (G1T) June 8 at the Spa, enjoyed a clear advantage through a half-mile in :47.56. Deterministic, who led at every call of the Manhattan, tracked comfortably under Kendrick Carmouche.
After that patient handling early, Deterministic launched his move near the five-sixteenths pole, took command a furlong from the wire, and edged away. He completed the race in 1:33.87 on firm turf to secure the sixth graded stakes win of his career.
"Once I got to the turn I let (My Boy Prince) switch leads and I just figured I should bring the race to him because my horse runs good around the turns," Carmouche said. "He loves to hold horses off because he loves to feel it whenever they're coming."
After racing in seventh early, Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, and Steven Bouchey's Intellect rallied to finish second in his grade 1 debut. Live Oak Plantation's Win for the Money, last year's Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T) winner, tracked in third throughout and held that position at the wire. Gary Barber's My Boy Prince faded to fourth for trainer Mark Casse, who also conditions the third-place finisher.
A Breeders' Cup start would be the second for co-owner Duncker, who finished 10th in the 1999 Mile with Middlesex Drive. The New York Racing Association board member can't wait to see what's next for Deterministic, and Saturday allowed himself to dream, just a bit, of a World Championships victory.
"Miguel has him perfect right now. He has spaced his works 10 days apart instead of a week, and I think that has really helped him," Duncker said, noting that St. Elias Stable's Vincent Viola brought him on board as an owner. "I'm just along for the ride as Vinny picked this horse out. I'm just along for the ride; but I like the ride!"
Clement said he'll talk with the owners about the next start for Deterministic with the Woodbine Mile Sept. 13 or the Turf Mile Stakes (G1T) Oct. 4 at Keeneland as possibilities.
Clement took over training of the stable after the death of his father, Christophe, in May. After Saturday's win, Carmouche saluted his late father, former jockey Sylvester, who died a year ago; and Christophe.
"I know Christophe is so happy up there for his son—and my dad as well," Carmouche said.
Saturday's field also included Spirit of St Louis, a two-time grade 1 winner this year. The son of Medaglia d'Oro had to check near the eighth pole and finished eighth. Neat was eased and after the race, under his own power, walked onto a waiting equine ambulance.
Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, Deterministic is out of the Speightstown mare Giulio's Jewel, who has produced three winners from as many starters.
Deterministic, along with Burnham Square, is one of two grade 1 winners this year for Liam's Map , who stands for $40,000 at Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky. Liam's Map won the 2015 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) for owners Teresa Viola Racing Stables and West Point Thoroughbreds.
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