Deterministic just keeps on rolling. The 5-year-old Liam's Map horse notched his fifth consecutive graded stakes win in scoring a repeat victory in the $1 million Manhattan Stakes (G1T) June 6 at Saratoga Race Course.
Rating in second position early behind pacesetter Rhetorical, who posted fractions of :22.99, :47.01, 1:09.83, and 1:32.92, Deterministic was under confident handling by jockey Kendrick Carmouche as he traveled well down the backstretch. He made his move for the lead on the turn and battled down the lane, wearing down Rhetorical and putting him away in midstretch. He had an oncoming competitor in Test Score, but outlasted him by a half-length, setting a course-record time of 1:50.50; the previous record for 1 3/16 miles on the turf course was 1:51.40 set by Say the Word in 2020.
The Miguel Clement trainee returned $11.84 to win. One Stripe ran third, and pacesetter Rhetorical had to settle for fourth.
"He's top class," Clement said. I've always thought he was the best turf horse in the country. He proved that today. I thought we deserved the Eclipse Award last year, but I'm biased. Hopefully, everyone will understand why I think he's the leader of the division.
"I think he'll be a more attractive stallion prospect by keeping him closer or cutting him back to a mile. That's probably the path we'll do, but we'll talk to the connections, and I'm sure we'll come up with the right plan."
Deterministic is owned by St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable. He was purchased by St. Elias for $625,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale out of the consignment of his breeder, Hinkle Farms. He has five wins in his last five starts, all coming in graded stakes races. Carmouche has piloted him to all five of those wins, and the pair has yet to lose together.
"He was standing perfect," Carmouche said. "He just left a tick slow. Once we got on the backside I eased him off Irad (Rhetorical), and, man, he was sitting in my hand so perfect. By the time I got to the half-mile pole, his ears started going back, so he was telling me he wanted to get after them. Then by the time I got to the five-sixteenths pole, I squeezed him a little, and then he really said, 'Alright, send me home.' And I knew (in) the last eighth of a mile, the way he had his ears pinned back, they would never catch him, man.
"What a sensational job by Miguel Clement and his team. I'm just so pleased, just so happy. He's different, I'm telling you. The feeling you get, the whole way, too. He's chill in the paddock, but once he's out there, he's all about business, all about business."
Deterministic is the second grade 1 winner this year for Liam's Map, who is also the sire of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Napoleon Solo. Liam's Map stands the 2026 season at Lane's End for $50,000.
