Commanding Curve (#17) on the heels of 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome as they cross the finish. Photo by Bill Brine/Creative Commons.
Phillip Dutton likes OTTBs with a good “track record,” you might say, his newest project being 2014 Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve.
Now 5 years old the gelding has been retired sound from racing and, as we reported this morning, will begin retraining for a second career in eventing with Phillip.
Commanding Curve (Master Command – Mother, by Lion Hearted) was bred in Kentucky by Tom VanMeter. He was initially purchased by Bradley Thoroughbreds for $60,000 at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale, then bought by current owner West Point Thoroughbreds for $75,000 at the 2013 OBS April 2-Year-Old in Training Sale.
He retired earlier this month with an overall record of 2-2-2 from 16 starts and earnings of $609,378.
“He took his partners and our team on a great ride and gave us the thrill of a lifetime when he was rollin’ turning for home in the Derby,” said West Point president Terry Finley in a statement on the West Point website. “We haven’t been able to recreate the magic of Derby day on the racetrack, and owe it to him to retire sound with the ability to move on to a second career. His partners came from coast to coast with backgrounds ranging from investment bankers to school teachers, but for only a modest investment they all experienced the highest of racing’s highs together.”
“I’m proud of him,” trainer Dallas Stewart agreed. “He ran the race of his life on the day it mattered most and it took a world beater in California Chrome to beat him. He’s a big, strong horse with a great mind and I’m excited to see what he can do in his second career.”
Phillip also recently bought shares in West Point’s race horse in Grade I winner Ring Weekend, who is trained by Phillip’s friend Graham Motion.
As a final send-off from the track, let’s take a look back at that little race Commanding Curve almost won a couple years ago:
Can’t wait to see that gallop out on the cross country course!
Go Eventing.
No more guesswork. No more worries.
With hundreds of different supplements on the market today, trying to pick the right one for your horse can be frustrating and worrisome. Let your veterinarian and Wiser Concepts® supplements ease the uncertainty. As a team, you and your vet will choose the Wiser Concepts supplement that best meets your horse’s needs.
Wiser Concepts supplements are available only through your veterinarian. Learn more at KPPvet.com.
