Deterministic May Hit Work Tab Next Week at Payson Park

St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable's undefeated Deterministic  returned to Payson Park following his impressive seasonal debut in the Gotham Stakes (G3) March 2 at Aqueduct Racecourse. The rallying two-length victory earned Deterministic 50 Kentucky Derby (G1) points and he now stands sixth in the standings for a spot in the 20-horse starting gate.

"He's doing well. He's with us here at the moment at Payson. We're toying with the idea of working him the middle of next week," assistant trainer Miguel Clement said.

The son of Liam's Map   overcame a slow start to win his debut sprinting seven-furlongs in August at Saratoga Race Course and returned with a sharp effort in the Gotham after breezing regularly with Pandagate  at Payson Park, including a bullet five-eighths in 1:01.80 Feb. 17.

"It was a winning ingredient to work them together in the past," Clement said. "These two worked together and assisted each other. It was great that the afternoon confirmed what they were doing in the morning."

Deterministic is possible for a start in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) April 6 at the Big A.

"The Wood is a very strong possibility although we're keeping all options on the table, including maybe training him straight to the Derby," Clement said.

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.