Deterministic Returns to Defend Fort Marcy Title

Deterministic  returns to defend his Fort Marcy Stakes (G3T) title in the May 2 test at Aqueduct Racetrack. Run at 1 1/8 miles on the turf for a purse of $175,000, the Fort Marcy was downgraded from a grade 2 for this year. The race had been a grade 2 since 2020; however, the Fort Marcy was a grade 3 from 1980 until it was upgraded.

Deterministic is making his first start of the season after last being seen in the Fourstardave Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course. Despite the exactly nine-month gap between starts, the son of Liam's Map   enters a heavy 6-5 favorite riding a three-race win streak, with wins in four out of his last five starts.

"He won the race last year, and we'll try to keep the same winning ingredient as what we did last summer," trainer Miguel Clement said.

He was slated to run earlier this month in the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland, but Clement was unhappy with his pupil's training. 

Last year, Deterministic executed a gate-to-wire, 4 1/2-length victory over a field of four others. This year lines up the same with four other competitors, plus three main-track-only entrants. 

Clement also stables the race's second choice. At 2-1, import Ridari  makes his North American debut after eight career starts in France (3-1-1). He left his native country on a high note, winning the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (G2) before being purchased by the trainer's uncle, Nicolas Clement, for Amo Racing USA and Resolute Racing. 

Rounding out the field are Battle of Normandy , Montador , and Uncatalyzed .