Deterministic breaks his maiden on debut Aug. 12 at Saratoga (NYRA/Coglianese)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y.— Trainer Christophe Clement brings the talented duo of Deterministic and Capital Idea to make their stakes debut in Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham, a one-turn mile for sophomores, at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Gotham awards the top-five finishers 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points towards the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and is one of four stakes on the lucrative 10-race program, including the Listed $200,000 Busher, a 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifier, the Grade 3, $175,000 Tom Fool Handicap and the Listed $150,000 Stymie.
St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable’s Deterministic returns from a near seven-month layoff that followed an impressive debut victory in August at Saratoga Race Course. There, he captured the seven-furlong sprint by a half-length with a swift off-the-pace move under returning pilot Joel Rosario and stormed home late with a six-wide bid to collar Hurricane Nelson just in time. The effort garnered an 81 Beyer Speed Figure.
Clement said the Gotham turned out to be the best place to bring back the talented son of Liam’s Map, who will emerge from post 3.
“We’re excited to see him run again,” said Clement. “I wish I could have run in an allowance race in Florida or New York, but we could not find that race and the Gotham is really the only choice. But, I do like the horse very much.”
The $625,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase has posted a string of eye-catching bullet works at Payson Park in company with Sunday’s Gander-winner Pandagate, including two five-furlong moves in 1:01.80 on February 10 and 17, respectively.
Deterministic is out of the winning Speightstown mare Giulio’s Jewel and is from the family of graded/group stakes-winners Rainha Da Bateria, Assateague, Rabbit Run and Kindergarden Kid, as well as multiple graded stakes-placed He’s Had Enough.
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Capital Idea was a dominant winner at second asking in a one-mile maiden in January here, crossing the wire 8 1/4 lengths in front over a sloppy and sealed main track under returning rider Trevor McCarthy [post 13]. The effort came after a close third on debut in December when defeated a half-length in a similar one-mile tilt at the Big A.
Capital Idea enters off a sharp five-furlong bullet in 1:02.65 on Friday over the Belmont Park dirt training track.
“He’s been training very well and has been in New York all along,” said Clement. “There’s no reason for him not to run in the race and he deserves a shot in the race. It’s exciting to have two horses and we’ll do the best we can and go from there.”
A $260,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Capital Idea is out of the stakes-placed Distorted Humor mare Rever de Vous, a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-placed Dreaming of Drew.
Clement reported that Sunday’s $100,000 Gander winner Pandagate emerged well from his strong 5 1/2-length score and has a plethora of options going forward after his successful stakes debut for owners Adelphi Racing Club, Madaket Stables, Corms Racing Stables and On The Rise Again Stable.
“He’s doing great. He came back great and is at Payson Park,” said Clement. “We’re very happy and he ran a great race. We’re going to keep him eligible for three or four stakes coming up. No need to commit now. We were very pleased with the race.”
The sophomore son of Arrogate captured the state-bred one-mile Gander under Dylan Davis, pouncing from last-of-6 early on to make up ground through the turn and come away with a one-length advantage at the stretch call. He powered home to draw clear of Doc Sullivan with ease and complete the course 1:40.67, earning a career-best 86 Beyer for the win.
Clement said there are no firm plans yet for Pandagate, but that possible targets could include the nine-furlong Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino, a 100-50-25-15-10 qualifier for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on April 6 here; the nine-furlong Federico Tesio on April 20 at Laurel Park; or even a trip overseas to the Dubai Racing Carnival.
“It’s a bit early and ambitious, but the Wood, some races at Laurel, or Dubai are a possibility,” said Clement. “We have got time. Let’s just let the horse tell us what to do.”
A $130,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Yearling Sale, Pandagate was bred in the Empire State by Fred W. Hertrich, III and is out of the Clement-trained stakes-placed Sky Mesa mare Kitty Panda. He graduated on debut with a nine-length score against fellow state-breds in October at Belmont at the Big A.
