Deterministic points to another title defense in Saratoga’s G1 Fourstardave

Trainer Miguel Clement reported on Sunday morning that St Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable’s Deterministic has exited his second consecutive victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino Manhattan at Saratoga Race Course in top order.

In lieu of a gate-to-wire win in last year’s race, which was held at 1 1/8 miles, this year, the 5-year-old Liam’s Map entire rated comfortably behind the pace set by dual Grade 1 winning New York-bred Rhetorical before unleashing well-timed stalk-and-pounce tactics under Kendrick Carmouche en route to a half-length victory over Graham Motion-trained Grade 1 winners Test Score and One Stripe. The race was contested over 1 3/16 miles this year and Deterministic captured the 124th Manhattan edition in a course-record 1:50.50 final time.

“He’s come out of the race in good order,” Clement said. “I think it’s safe to say that the next logical target and goal is the Fourstardave.”

The Grade 1, $750,000 Fourstardave is slated for August 8 and is a ‘Win and You’re In’ for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland in the autumn. Last year, Deterministic capped an abbreviated campaign with a 1 1/4-length win in the one-mile, inner-turf affair.

Overall, Deterministic has three Grade 1 wins among his nine career victories from 15 runs and a career bankroll of $2,634,765 – not to mention the priceless accomplishment of being the bona fide star of the one-year-old head-training career of his conditioner.