Hear the full interview
From 1:15 in Tuesday’s episode of Nick Luck Daily. Press play to start at the interview.
Miguel Clement says he “wouldn’t trade places with anyone” as Deterministic prepares to take on Notable Speech and a strong European team in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile at Keeneland on Saturday.
The son of Liam’s Map set the pace in the Woodbine Mile last time and was beaten a length and a quarter by Notable Speech, ending a six-race winning run. Clement, speaking to Nick Luck on the Keeneland backstretch before dawn on Tuesday, believes a stronger gallop will change the picture.
“Notable Speech is a very good horse. I think he’s on six or seven Grade 1s,” Clement said. “But it was a bit of a falsely run race, and a long stretch. I think with a more truly run race, the dynamics will change a bit, so hopefully that can help benefit us.”
Deterministic had his last piece of work at Saratoga and Clement could not be happier. “He’s been training very well. He’s doing great with his weight, his colour,” he said. “At this time of the year, I wouldn’t trade places with anyone else right now.”
“He picked us all up when we were having some of our worst moments.”
Miguel Clement on Deterministic
The tactics are simple. “That’s 100% my only instructions: break, go forward,” Clement said. “Whether we go to the lead or sit second, we’ll do one or the other.” He expects the trip to have a big say in a full field of 14 over two turns, and said the colt’s temperament is what sets him apart. “Mentally, he’s remarkable. That’s probably what separates him the most. He’s very, very easy to train, so it makes my life incredible.”
The colt has been top class since his debut on dirt, winning the Gotham on his second start before excelling on turf, and he means a great deal to the stable Clement took over from his late father Christophe. “It means a lot to many people. He picked us all up when we were having some of our worst moments,” he said. Asked what his father would make of five Breeders’ Cup runners, he said simply: “He’d be pretty proud. Hopefully.”
Brickyard Belle a big American hope
Clement believes unbeaten Brickyard Belle is “probably one of the best chances for America” in Friday’s Juvenile Turf Sprint. She won on debut at Saratoga and then took the Matron from last, and is drawn four, right outside George Boughey’s Libertango.
“She’s very good. She’s two for two,” he said. “At Saratoga she won from stalking, the other day she won the Matron from dead last. She’s got a great turn of foot if needed. George Boughey’s filly is very talented, but so is ours.”
Oscar, second in the Summer Stakes, runs in the Juvenile Turf with William Buick riding, despite an unhelpful draw in 12. “I think we ran second to Godolphin and William Buick in four Group 1s in the last five weeks, so if you can’t beat them, you might as well join them,” Clement said. “He’s got a good chance, and I expect him to improve from his second to his third start.”
Citrus Springs, a recent arrival from Joseph O’Brien, runs in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. “It’s still very much the honeymoon phase,” Clement said. “We don’t know each other quite as well as we should. It’s a tough race, and the European contingent is formidable.”
Six-year-old Far Bridge flies the flag in the Turf under John Velazquez. “In terms of the American horses, I think he has just as good a chance as anyone here,” Clement said. “As a six-year-old veteran, he’s still running some of his best figures to date. But the Europeans have brought a remarkable crew. We’re well drawn, and he’s versatile, so it’s very much let the gates break and let Johnny call an audible.”
A family affair
Clement’s wife, the broadcaster Acacia Clement, is eight months pregnant but still part of the team out on the track at 6am. “It’s always been a family affair, and even more so now,” she said. “Miguel’s mum Valerie, his sister Charlotte, me, we’re all very involved in the stable. Christophe was always proud of him. He was proud of the whole family.”
Working on both sides of the fence can be tricky. “Christophe always told me, don’t ever worry about hurting my feelings if you don’t like my horse. You should always have an opinion,” she said. “But very early on, when Miguel and I started dating, he saw my notes where I’d written that one of his horses was a bit heavy. Things were a little dicey early on, but we’re incredibly supportive of each other’s careers.”
