Kentucky-bred Deterministic lived up to his moniker, running down Rhetorical from the outside in the final furlong to secure a repeat victory in the $1 million Manhattan Stakes (G1) during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga.
St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable’s Deterministic captured the 1 3/16-mile turf fixture in a course-record 1:50.50 final time. The win followed his thrilling gate-to-wire victory by a head over Integration last year.
Now a winner of nine of his 15 starts, the 5-year-old son of Liam’s Map secured his fifth consecutive graded stakes victory with the impressive score. Ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, Deterministic raced forwardly placed in second position as Rhetorical led the nine-horse field through an opening quarter mile in 22.99 seconds, a half in 47.01, three-quarters in 1:09.83, and a mile in 1:32.92 over firm going.
In the stretch, Deterministic had plenty in reserve. He thrived with clear sailing in front under Carmouche’s encouragement and hit the wire in a time that eclipsed the previous mark of 1:51.40. Say the World set the previous mark in 2020. Fellow Kentucky-bred Test Score, under rider Manny Franco, surged to finish second in the Manhattan.
Deterministic All Business in Manhattan Repeat
Carmouche, who piloted Deterministic in each of his last five wins, including last year’s Manhattan, heaped high praise on both the horse and Clement.
“What a sensational job by Miguel Clement and his team. And he was 10 times sharper than last race,” Carmouche said. “He was probably a tad short last time and still won, so we knew going into this race we’d be even stronger. I’m just so pleased, just so happy. He’s different, I’m telling you. The feeling you get, the whole way, too. He’s chill in the paddock, but once he’s out there, he’s all about business, all about business.”
Deterministic has not lost since returning to stakes company following a second-place effort in April 2025 in a race moved off the turf. On the friendly confines of the turf, he registered wins in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy at Aqueduct before a pair of wins at the Spa in the Manhattan and the Grade 1 Fourstardave.
“He’s a tremendous racehorse. He’s a pure athlete. We are very privileged to be part of the ride,” Clement said. “He’s top class. I’ve always thought he was the best turf horse in the country. He proved that today. I thought we deserved the Eclipse Award last year, but I’m biased. Hopefully, everyone will understand why I think he’s the leader of the division.”
Deterministic was bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms. He is by Liam’s Lap out of the Speightstown mare Giulio’s Jewel.