Dornoch, Deterministic Exit Preps with Eye on Derby

Dornoch  exited his March 2 victory in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park so well that his trainer Danny Gargan expects to make a decision on the Triple Crown prospect's next start "toward the end of the week."

Dornoch, who scored a 1 3/4-length triumph in the key prep for the $1 million Florida Derby (G1), is stabled at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

"He's great. He looked good this morning. He cooled out nice. We're happy with him. He ate up well," Gargan said. "We're pleased with him."

Following Dornoch's professional performance as the 1-5 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth, Gargan said the 3-year-old full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage   would likely return in either the March 30 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream or the April 6 Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, where Dornoch broke his maiden Oct. 14.

The son of Good Magic   entered the Fountain of Youth off a gutsy triumph in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack, where he nosed out Sierra Leone , who came back to win the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Dornoch, who currently ranks second in Kentucky Derby qualifying points, established himself as a prime Triple Crown prospect with his victory in the Fountain of Youth.

MCCARTHY: Dornoch Scores Against Depleted Fountain of Youth Field

Dornoch is owned by West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding and Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables.

"It's exciting, but you need to stay focused with the task at hand and just be thankful you're in this position," Gargan said. "Working for guys who have been in the Derby and stuff, you just have to remember the way everything went and stay in your lane, not try to get too creative, and just let the horse get you there."

Vicente Stella Stables' Le Dom Bro , who made an inside challenge at the top of the stretch before settling for second at 27-1, also exited the Fountain of Youth in good order. A start in the Florida Derby is likely.

"I'd say it's 90 percent for the Florida Derby," said owner Vicente Stella, whose son of Mucho Macho Man   is trained by Eniel Cordero.

If Dornoch and Le Dom Bro do run in the Florida Derby one horse waiting for them will likely be Hades . The undefeated winner of the Holy Bull (G3) worked four furlongs March 3 at Gulfstream in :48.64. It was his third work since winning the Holy Bull Feb. 3.

No Plans Made For Deterministic After Gotham Win

St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable's Deterministic  earned a 99 Equibase Speed Figure for his impressive two-length score March 2 in the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.

Trained by Christophe Clement, the Liam's Map   colt entered the one-turn mile for sophomores from a seven-month layoff following his successful debut in August at Saratoga Race Course and showed no signs of rust with a stylish score under Joel Rosario.

"He came back in good order. We're very much enjoying the fact that he won the Gotham yesterday. It was a very strong performance and we're happy with the way he looks this morning," Clement said. "We will probably ship him to Florida this week. He's done very well in Florida and the weather is more under control."

EHALT: Deterministic Returns With Gotham Stakes Victory

"I had a long talk with Joel last night and he was delighted with the horse," Clement said. "He thought that he was a lot more mature yesterday than what he was in his first race, so there's a lot to enjoy and a lot to like."

Clement said Deterministic, a $625,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, will be nominated for a number of Derby preps, including the April $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct. The historic nine-furlong test for sophomores awards 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-five finishers.

"No decision whatsoever made for the next start," Clement said. "At the moment, the only worry is the wellbeing of the horse and we'll go from there. We'll get him to a work and the work will tell us what to do with him."

Clement, who won the 2014 Belmont Stakes (G1) with Tonalist  , said he would appreciate saddling his first Derby starter provided his charge is in with a shout.

"To run, no—to win, yes," said Clement, with a laugh. "Running is not very exciting, but winning is. If he was to go that route, that would be very exciting. At the moment, we need to evaluate a next start and I believe, most probably, he would need to run before the Derby.

"It was a good performance," Clement added. "I don't want to put pressure on anybody—just common sense, bring him back, apply regular horsemanship and go from there."

Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, Deterministic is out of the winning Speightstown   mare Giulio's Jewel —his turf stakes-winning third dam, Amelia, produced graded stakes-winning turfers Rainha Da Bateria, Assateague and Kindergarden Kid.