Deterministic catches Mi Bago to take Fourstardave
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - On a special weekend for the Clement family, a special horse from the stable delivered another special performance at Saratoga.
Deterministic, among the top horses ever to come through the barn going back three decades, pursued Mi Bago for nearly seven furlongs before taking over just before the eighth pole and then drew clear to a 1 1/2-length victory in the Grade 1, $750,000 Fourstardave Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday. Mi Bago held second by three-quarters of a length over Zulu Kingdom, who had to alter course in the stretch.
Rhetorical finished fourth, followed by Lagynos and Capitol Hill. Classic Q scratched.
The win was the sixth straight for Deterministic, a streak that began in the Grade 2 Ft. Marcy at Aqueduct in May 2025. The streak included back-to-back victories in the Grade 1 Manhattan and now back-to-back victories in the Fourstardave.
Deterministic joined Wise Dan (2012-13) and Casa Creed (2022-23) as repeat winners of the Fourstardave.
The victory came one day after Christophe Clement was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Clement died in May 2025 - about three weeks after Deterministic’s streak began. Since then, the stable has been run by Miguel Clement, Christophe’s son.
“Without a doubt it’s a special horse,” Miguel Clement said. “We always thought he was special from Day One. He’s taken his training to another level. I can’t keep saying it enough, he’s special, he’s built different. Distance, versatility, ground; for me he’s the leader of the [male turf] division. I’ve been saying that for two years. Hopefully, everybody agrees now.”
Deterministic has won from distances from a mile to 1 3/16-miles. He has now won nine graded stakes - including the Grade 3 Gotham on dirt as a 3-year-old. He handles any type of ground.
Saturday’s Fourstardave was run in a driving rainstorm, which began right before the start of the race.
Deterministic likes to be forward, but he doesn’t need the lead. Breaking from post 4 under Kendrick Carmouche, Deterministic took up a stalking trip, about a length over Mi Bago, the New York-bred who set splits of 24.20 seconds for the quarter, 48.54 for the half-mile and 1:12 for six furlongs.
Carmouche said he was more concerned with the horses behind him than Mi Bago. Deterministic took over at the eighth pole and lengthened his stride as he galloped to the wire.
“I didn’t want to let my horse run [fast] around the turn because the water on top of the turf is a little slippery,” Carmouche said. “Once we got to the quarter pole, when I squeezed him he wanted to go home. What an amazing horse. He’s made my career. He’s the best horse I ever rode in my life. I hope I get many more, but I will be pleased just having this one.”
There were two objections in the race that were dismissed by the stewards. Flavien Prat, the rider of Zulu Kingdom, lodged an objection against runner-up Mi Bago, who he alleged interfered with him in midstretch when Zulu Kingdom tried to rally along the rail. Jose Ortiz, on fifth-place finisher Lagynos, claimed foul against Prat.
Deterministic, a 5-year-old son of Liam’s Map, covered the mile over turf labeled firm in 1:35.07 and returned $5.22 as the favorite. Deterministic, owned by St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steve Duncker and Vicarage Stable, improved his record to 10-3-1 fom16 starts and increased his lifetime earnings to $3,047,265.
“The way he moves is unlike any other horse in our stable, he’s the most efficient mover there is,” Clement said. “He’s got predisposition to just want to win. If you ever watch a horse reach as much as he does and is willing, he is. He doesn’t like his job, he loves his job and we love him.”
The Fourstardave is a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 31. Clement said he is focusing on the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile on Sept. 12.
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