Kentucky Derby: Grand Mo the First joins field after Deterministic drops out

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - As expected, Deterministic will not run in the Kentucky Derby, his connections made official on Sunday, opening up a spot for Florida Derby third-place finisher Grand Mo the First.

Deterministic, who earned enough qualifying points to get into the Kentucky Derby by virtue of his victory in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes on March 2, finished eighth in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 6 with no apparent excuse.

Though trainer Christophe Clement had pretty much ruled out the Kentucky Derby as a result of that performance, he wanted to make sure his owners were on board. Deterministic is owned by a group that includes Vinnie Viola, Kevin Warsh of Vicarage Stable, Ken Langone and Steven Duncker.

“After speaking with the owners, the decision is made not to go for the Derby,” Clement said Sunday afternoon. “He had a decent work this morning, we’ll keep all the New York options open.”

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The Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan on May 11 is the next stakes race for 3-year-olds and is among the options for Deterministic.

On Sunday, Deterministic returned to the worktab, breezing five furlongs in 1:02.86 over the Belmont Park training track. Deterministic started the work at the half-mile pole and about a length behind the New York-bred 3-year-old filly The Shoe Lady. Deterministic drew even at the three-sixteenths pole, came to the wire together with The Shoe Lady before edging away from the workmate a furlong past the wire. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.67.

“Maintenance work, I thought he looked well and came back in good shape,” Clement said after the move.

Grand Mo the First, who finished third, beaten 16 lengths by Fierceness in the Florida Derby, is now officially in the race. Grand Mo the First is expected to work on Tuesday at Gulfstream Park before shipping to Churchill Downs where he will not have an official workout, according to his trainer Victor Barboza. Emisael Jaramillo will ride Grand Mo the First in the Derby.

Common Defense now moves into the 21st spot on the points list for the Kentucky Derby, needing one defection to get into the field. He could also be entered as an also-eligible if there is not a defection by next Saturday, when entries are taken for the Derby.

Endlessly remains under consideration for the Derby despite his having never raced on dirt. Trainer Michael McCarthy said both the Derby and Grade 2, $600,000 American Turf on the same card are being considered. The horse would have one more work before entries are made.

“Keeping all our options open,” McCarthy, who trains Endlessly for John Amerman, said.

Another horse still not considered definite for the Kentucky Derby is Encino, who won the Lexington Stakes on April 13.

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