Deterministic Joins Triple Crown Trail with Rain-Soaked Gotham Win

March 2nd, 2024 by Bob Ehalt

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Determiistic, Aqueduct, 2024 Gotham Stakes, Joel Roasario, Christophe Clement

Deterministic glides over the sloppy track at Aqueduct to win the 2024 Gotham Stakes.

In his first race in nearly seven months, Deterministic overcame a difficult one-turn mile challenge on a sloppy track on a rain-swept afternoon at Aqueduct to win the $300,000 Grade 3 Gotham Stakes.

The March 2nd prep race for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve was the first race for the Christophe Clement-trained son of Liam's Map since he broke his maiden at first asking back on Aug. 12 at Saratoga Race Course.

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Neither wind, nor rain, nor layoff, nor mile distance could keep Deterministic from the winner's circle. He rallied from fifth to pull away in the stretch and notch a two-length victory in the Gotham Stakes and earned enough qualifying points (50) to pursue the run for the roses.

"You don't worry when you have a horse as good as him. Surface, distance, it doesn't matter," said Miguel Clement, assistant trainer for his father.

As for the future, Clement said "the team" will decide what's next for the colt. Yet with the May 4 opening leg of Triple Crown two months away, it is likely Deterministic will continue his impressive advancement with a 1 1/8-mile final prep race for the Kentucky Derby in his next start.

"All the credit goes to the horse. He's been top class from day one. We've all loved him," Miguel Clement said.

In opting for the Gotham as the spot for Deterministic's comeback, Miguel Clement said, "We liked the distance and idea of bringing him back in a one-turn mile. "We knew he was good enough to do it, so we said, why not?"

Deterministic. (Chelsea Durand/NYRA)

The betting public showed its faith in Deterministic ($9.80) by installing him as the 7-2 second choice with jockey Joel Rosario aboard.

Maximus Meridius led after a half-mile in :46.63 with El Grande O and 8-5 favorite Just a Touch in close pursuit.

As the leader faltered, El Grande O forged to the front leaving the quarter pole and splashed to a 1 1/2-length lead. Rosario swung Deterministic wide on the turn and then moved inside in the stretch and motored to the lead before the sixteenth pole and drew clear to cover the mile in 1:36.37.

"He did everything really well and so we're excited for him and where he'll take us," Rosario said.

Just a Touch found his best stride late to take second by a half-length over El Grande O and earned 25 Kentucky Derby qualifying points in his second career start. El Grande O, picked up 15 points and now has 30. Maximus Meridius was fourth (10 points), and Capital Idea was fifth (five points).