Trainer Miguel Clement celebrated a repeat victory with Kentucky-bred Deterministic in the $750,000 Fourstardave S. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 8. The Fourstardave win awarded the 5-year-old son of Liam’s Map a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) in October at Keeneland.
Campaigned by St. Elias Stable, Vicarage Stable, Ken Langone and C. Steven Duncker, Deterministic brought his superb win streak in tandem with jockey Kendrick Carmouche to six. It is a streak that dates to a win in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy last May at Belmont at the Big A. This year, the dark bay duplicated his 2025 campaign, repeating in the Fort Marcy, the Manhattan (G1) during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, and the Fourstardave. His record now stands at 16-10-3-1.
“He’s a special horse,” Clement said. “When you have a special horse, you just have to worry about their soundness and you have to map out a career and a campaign for them. We’ve been fortunate enough to execute it well because, to be honest, he just makes our lives easier because he’s so special.”
Deterministic found the winner’s circle with his usual prominent tactics. He ranged up from post 4-of-6 to track in second just off the pace set by Mi Bago. Deterministic spun three wide in the upper stretch, rallying to take the lead a furlong from home. He covered one mile on the inner turf in 1:35.07.
“I was a little worried about the ground. It was a lot softer than I thought it was going to be initially, however he’s top class,” Clement said. “He can run a mile to a mile and a quarter; in the bog or firm; speed-favoring or playing towards closers. He’s just special because he overcomes these barriers consistently. That’s why, without a doubt, he’s the leader of the division for the past two years.”
G1 Woodbine Mile a Possible Target for Deterministic
A trip north of the border may be next for Deterministic as Clement mulls the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile on Sept 12. “We’ll have a long discussion with the connections after this, but I have my eye on Canada,” Clement said.
Deterministic is the first horse Carmouche has piloted to multiple Grade 1 wins, and Carmouche holds the special dark bay in the highest regards.
“What an amazing horse. He made my career,” Carmouche said. “The best horse I ever rode in my life. [I] hope I get many more, but I will be very pleased with just having this one the rest of my career. Miguel and his owners, his barn, his gallop hands, his grooms, hotwalkers, they deserve all the credit.”
Deterministic, a $625,000 Keeneland September Sale graduate, was bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms.