Derby Runner-Up Commanding Curve Retired

West Point Thoroughbreds' Commanding Curve has been retired from racing and will begin retraining for a second career with three-day eventing Olympic gold medalist rider Phillip Dutton, according to a May 24 release. 

 

The 5-year-old Master Command gelding is best known for his fast-closing second to California Chrome   in the 2014 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). He retired sound following a ninth-place finish in a May 7 allowance race at Churchill Downs. 

 

Commanding Curve retires 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. "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."

Commanding Curve broke his maiden in the fall of his 2-year-old season before finishing third in the 2014 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) As a 4-year-old he won an allowance race at Churchill. 

"I'm proud of him," trainer Dallas Stewart said. "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." 

Bred in Kentucky by Tom VanMeter, Commanding Curve is out of the Lion Hearted mare Mother. Initially purchased by Bradley Thoroughbreds for $60,000 at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale, Commanding Curve was bought by West Point for $75,000 at the 2013 OBS April 2-Year-Olds in Training sale.