Appropriately named Deterministic dug in gamely in the lane under jockey Kendrick Carmouche to win the $1 million Manhattan Stakes (G1) during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga on Sunday, June 8. The victory delivered trainer Miguel Clement his first Grade 1 win.
In a memorable race for the Clement barn, Deterministic fought off late bids from fellow Kentucky-breds Integration and Far Bridge to secure his initial Grade 1 win. The triumph also provided an emotional victory for his trainer, who took over the stable in recent weeks following the passing of his father, Christophe, in May.
“It is beyond emotional the last two weeks to be honest with you,” Miguel Clement said. “Both professionally and personally. A massive emptiness to win this race without my dad, but life goes on. I’m very fortunate and very lucky we have a great team. I thought both Deterministic and Far Bridge (also trained by Clement) ran gallantly today. The cutback in distance was probably beneficial to Deterministic. He’s top class. There’s nothing else to be said.”
Deterministic led the Manhattan field from start to finish. He held off Integration late to prevail by a head, covering 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.93. Far Bridge finished another neck back in third.
“Once I turned on the backside, I was in cruise control,” said Carmouche. “I wasn’t getting pressure. He was relaxed and into his stride like I had him at Aqueduct. Just an amazing horse. When I got to the top of the lane, I asked him to quicken, and he quickened right away. He heard those horses coming, but he was just floating along. He was just running, man.”
Deterministic in Sharp Form
Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms and owned by St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable, Deterministic recorded his fifth graded stakes victory. He entered the race off a track record-setting win in the Fort Marcy (G2) in May at Belmont at the Big A meet.
A graded stakes winner on turf and dirt, Deterministic was a $625,000 purchase at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Deterministic, who is by Liam’s Map out of the Speightstown mare Giulio’s Jewel, has hit the board in 10-of-12 starts and he is an earner of more than $1.5 million.