Deterministic defends title in G3 Fort Marcy
St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable’s Deterministic defended his title while leading gate-to-wire for the second consecutive year in Saturday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Fort Marcy, a nine-furlong inner turf test for older horses, at Belmont at the Big A.
Trained by Miguel Clement, the Liam’s Map dark bay was making his 5-year-old debut off a 3-for-4 past campaign that saw him nominated for an Eclipse Award as Champion Male Turf Horse. Deterministic captured the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan in June at Saratoga Race Course and followed with a last-out score in the Grade 1 Fourstardave in August there – both with returning rider Kendrick Carmouche aboard.
Deterministic was entered to return in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile in April at Keeneland, but was scratched and successfully rerouted to the Fort Marcy. His final time in last year’s Fort Marcy, run on the outer turf and as a Grade 2, was a then track record of 1:46.10.
“I thought he was always in control from the start,” Clement said, of the title defense. “He hasn't run in eight months, so it was very encouraging to come back in winning ways.”
Deterministic exited the outermost post 5 and took command under a fairly snug hold from Carmouche exiting the chute, while pressured mildly by the Ricardo Santana, Jr.-piloted Uncatalyzed through an opening quarter-mile in 24.90 seconds over the firm turf.
“I’m on the best horse, so I just figured I’d take the race to them,” Carmouche said. “The horse moves the same as last year, good stride, head pointing forward. Just leave him alone, let him do his job.”
Deterministic was stalked by Uncatalyzed in the first turn as Battle of Normandy saved ground in third position, with slow-starting Montador and the Clement-trained Ridari close but at the back through the half-mile in 49.33.
The Dylan Davis-piloted Battle of Normandy improved to the inside of Uncatalyzed as three-quarters elapsed in 1:13.03, while Carmouche and Deterministic were traveling well in the second turn and still held a one-length advantage.
Once straightened for home, Carmouche urged Deterministic and he built a 2 1/2-length cushion over Battle of Normandy at the stretch call as Ridari ran on from off-the-pace. Deterministic did not spurt away, but nor was he ever in much doubt as Battle of Normandy cut into his margin, the 3-5 favorite holding on by three-quarter-lengths in a final time of 1:48.44.
Ridari finished 4 3/4 lengths behind Battle of Normandy in third, with Montador completing the superfecta and Uncatalyzed rounding out the order of finish. Main track-only entrants Yo Daddy, Dr. Kraft and Mr. Papagiorgio were scratched.
Clement said another title defense for Deterministic could be next in the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino Manhattan, a 1 3/16-mile turf test for older horses, on June 6 Belmont Stakes Day at Saratoga Race Course.
“Our big objective is Belmont Stakes weekend, and we thought it would be wise to run today to give us a prep leading into it. This time last year he already had a race under his belt, won the Fort Marcy, and went on to win the Manhattan,” Clement said. “I thought today was perfect - he got enough out of it - without ever really being threatened in the race. It was a perfect piece of work leading up to Belmont Stakes week.”
Carmouche said Deterministic's class prevailed, but he may have needed a race in terms of fitness.
“I think he was a little tighter last year, but this year, he still proved to be the best horse in the race. We’ve got room to improve,” Carmouche said. “We only had him just at 80, 90 percent. An extra 10 percent will be 100, and that’s good for the meet we’re going into.”
The dual group-winning French-bred Ridari made his stateside and barn debut off a private purchase for Resolute Racing, who co-owns with Amo Racing USA. The 4-year-old Churchill bay’s last effort was a nose win in the Group 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein in October at Longchamp for trainer Mikel Delzangles.
“He will benefit from the run,” Clement said. “He finished a little bit, but he didn't quite sustain that run late. He's had a lot of work at home, but nothing can substitute for a race. Onwards and upwards with him. He would appreciate a little cut in the ground, and he needs to adapt a little bit to our style of racing. I do anticipate he will improve from this."
Davis said the Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey-trained Battle of Normandy was hindered by the tepid early fractions.
“I think the pace really hurt us. With the small field, once Deterministic cleared Santana [Uncatalyzed], Kendrick was able to do what he wanted on the lead there,” Davis said. “I was in a good spot, but he was able to get what he wanted up front. He had more of a turn-of-foot up front, and I just kind of stayed even with him. Nothing against ‘Battle,’ he ran a great race.”
Deterministic earned $96,250 in victory to push his earnings over $2 million while improving his record to 14-8-3-1 and returning $3.38 for a $2 win bet. Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, Deterministic was a $625,000 purchase at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and is out of the winning Speightstown mare Giulio’s Jewel, a half-sister to Grade 2-placed Duff One.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a 12-race card at Belmont at the Big A, which features a trio of $175,000 Grade 3s, including the Westchester [Race 7], Beaugay [Race 8] and Vagrancy [Race 10], and adds the Listed $150,000 License Fee [Race 11]. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
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