Grand Mo first in Kentucky Derby field; Deterministic doesn’t work

Trainer Christophe Clement announced Sunday that Deterministic – a disappointing eighth in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 6 at Aqueduct – will not compete in the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Deterministic ran five furlongs in 1:02.63 on the Belmont dirt training track on Sunday.

“I talked to the owners and we decided to keep him in New York and we will keep all options open for New York,” Clement said.

Deterministic’s departure opens a spot for Grand Mo the First in the field of 20 for the Kentucky Derby on May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Grand Mo the First, trained by Victor Barboza Jr., is a son of Uncle Mo and recently finished third in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 30 at Gulfstream Park. Emisael Jaramillo will ride in the Kentucky Derby.

Deterministic, a son of Liam’s Map, is 2-0-0 in three career starts. He earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby by winning the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct on March 2.

Clement has 2,453 career victories but has never saddled a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

An option for Deterministic could be the $200,000, Grade 3 Peter Pan on May 11 at Aqueduct. The Peter Pan is a traditional prep race for the Grade 1 Belmont, which takes place June 8 at Saratoga.

Common Defense now sits at No. 21 in the Kentucky Derby points standings and needs one defection to make the field. Common Defense, trained by Kenny McPeek, finished fifth in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 23 at Fair Grounds.

The draw for the Kentucky Derby is Saturday.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

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