Deterministic will skip Kentucky Derby and be pointed to N.Y.

After finishing eighth as the odds-on favorite this month in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, Deterministic will not run in Kentucky Derby 2024.

In a text message to Horse Racing Nation, trainer Christophe Clement confirmed a social-media post by David Grening of Daily Racing Form that he is keeping his options open for Deterministic to start in New York. The Liam's Map colt won his first two starts, including the Grade 3 Gotham, before the Wood Memorial.

Clement said early last week that the Derby was unlikely for Deterministic.

“I spoke to the owners and we decided to keep him in New York and we will keep all the New York options open,” Clement told the New York Racing Association media team after the colt worked five furlongs in 1:02.63 at Belmont Park.

A logical spot for Deterministic would be the nine-furlong Peter Pan at Belmont on May 11, the traditional local prep for the Belmont Stakes on June 8 at Saratoga.

His defection clears the way for Grand Mo the First to be in the starting gate at Churchill Downs on May 4.

The son of Uncle Mo, trained by Victor Barboza Jr., earned 40 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby with third-place finishes in the Florida Derby (G1) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3).

Grand Mo the First started his career by winning his debut at Gulfstream Park and an optional-claiming allowance there. Then he finished third in the Zuma Beach (G3) and the Swale.

His most recent published work was last Sunday, when he breezed five furlongs in 1:03.95 at Gulfstream.