Deterministic to Train in Florida, Next Race Not Set

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 Racetrack | BloodHorse.com Track Profile">Aqueduct Racetrack.

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.