In perhaps the most fitting end to a dramatic weekend of racing in upstate New York, Deterministic (Liam's Map) held on for a last-gasp victory in the GI Manhattan Stakes Sunday at Saratoga, giving Miguel Clement his first top-level victory just two weeks after taking over the stable following the passing of his father, longtime New York conditioner Christophe Clement.
“I'm very fortunate and very lucky we have a great team. Very much Dad's legacy,” Clement said. “It is beyond emotional, the last two weeks, to be honest with you. Both professionally and personally. A massive emptiness to win this race without my Dad, but life goes on.”
Deterministic, a $625,000 Keeneland September graduate, had been purchased on behalf of St. Elias Stables by bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, who passed away Saturday.
Sent off at 5-1, Deterministic broke sharply and was soon at the head of affairs. He was nudged along by Tucson (Constitution) through an opening quarter in :23.69 with his stablemate Far Bridge (English Channel) a close-up third. Deterministic had gained some separation through a half in :48.47 and he scampered further clear as the three-quarters went up in 1:12.99. Far Bridge rolled up to challenge his stablemate at the top of the lane and it looked to be a one-two finish for the Clement stable, but Integration (Quality Road) unleashed a furious late rally to just miss catching the pacesetter on the line. The time for the nine furlongs over the 'good' turf course was 1:48.93.
“Once I turned on the backside, I was in cruise control,” said winning rider Kendrick Carmouche, who was capturing his first Grade I at Saratoga. “He was relaxed and into his stride like I had him at Aqueduct. Just an amazing horse. Whenever 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.”
“I am just very happy for Miguel and the Clement family,” Carmouche continued. “They've been through a lot in the last couple weeks and last six months–whatever you want to call it–we've all been through that and it's a hard thing to go through. But the good thing is, his daddy left him a legacy and he's going to make sure he stays strong with it and keeps pushing hard. I'm just glad that I'm part of the team.”
The consistent–and versatile–Deterministic has now hit the board in 10 of 12 lifetime starts. He captured last year's GIII Gotham Stakes over a sloppy Aqueduct main track in just his second start.
Transferred to the turf after off-the-board efforts in the GII Wood Memorial and GIII Peter Pan Stakes, the dark bay colt was second in the GIII Manila Stakes and third in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational before winning the GIII Virginia Derby. Second in the GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational in October, he ended 2024 with a win in the GIII Hill Prince Stakes Nov. 9.
Deterministic was coming off a front-running, course-record setting, victory in the nine-furlong GII Fort Marcy Stakes in May.
Of the decision to move Deterministic to the turf, Clement said, “To be honest, when he ran poorly in the Wood Memorial, we were all devastated. Even before that, I had a small inclination because I took him on the infield and he moved like a dream, but there was no chance after winning the Gotham that we could tell someone, 'hey, he actually moved remarkably well on the grass.' Dad was already stereotyped and labeled as a turf trainer, so if I did that after the Gotham, before running in the Kentucky Derby potentially, it would have been the end of us, so I kept my mouth shut.”
Clement continued, “I thought his [Determinstic's] last work on the turf course was remarkable on the Oklahoma. He has handled all different surfaces, ground, distances–today was a very good race. Kendrick seems to be getting along with him. He has tactical speed, and speed is always dangerous on the turf.”
Pedigree Notes:
One of 13 graded winners for Liam's Map, Deterministic is the stallion's sixth winner at the top level. He is the ninth Grade I winner for his broodmare sire, Speightstown.
Deterministic is the only stakes winner out of Giulio's Jewel, who died in 2022. The mare was a half-sister to graded-placed Duff One (Harlan's Holiday).
Under the winner's third dam, Amelia, are graded winners Assateague and Rainha Da Bateria, as well as Grade I-placed He's Had Enough (Tapit
DETERMINISTIC was determined to win the @ResortsWorldNYC Manhattan! 🗽
His first Grade 1 win comes with a standout ride from @KendrickCarmou1 for trainer @clementstable.
A fairytale ending to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival! pic.twitter.com/89m1KI83qq
— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 8, 2025
Sunday, Saratoga
RESORTS WORLD CASINO MANHATTAN S.-GI, $1,000,000, Saratoga, 6-8, 4yo/up, 1 1/8mT, 1:48.93, gd.
1–DETERMINISTIC, 122, c, 4, by Liam's Map
1st Dam: Giulio's Jewel, by Speightstown
2nd Dam: Acadiana, by Tiznow
3rd Dam: Amelia, by Dixieland Band
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($625,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, C. Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable; B-Hinkle Farms (KY); T-Miguel Clement; J-Kendrick Carmouche. $550,000. Lifetime Record: 12-6-3-1, $1,576,015. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Integration, 122, h, 5, Quality Road–Harmonize, by Scat Daddy. ($700,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing LLC; B-Larkin Armstrong (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $200,000.
3–Far Bridge, 124, h, 5, English Channel–Fitpitcher, by Kitten's Joy. 'TDN Rising Star'. O-LSU Stables; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Miguel Clement. $120,000.
Margins: HD, NK, 4HF. Odds: 5.80, 4.10, 3.45.
Also Ran: Corruption, Endlessly, Spirit of St Louis, Carson's Run, Tucson. Scratched: Highway Robber.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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