Command Center wins Bluegrass Div.
Command Center (Dunn), half brother to 2026 Hambletonian winner Apex, returned to the winner’s circle in the second Bluegrass division – sponsored by Al Libfeld Equine – after livening up in a late stretch battle from a loose lead to win in 1:54 at The Red Mile Oct. 1.
Dunn settled Command Center, the 4-5 favorite, into fourth from the pylon post while Friday Night Fats (David Miller) pushed from the outermost draw in the octet for the lead to a :28.2 first quarter. Friday Night Fats cleared command entering the backstretch, at which point Dunn tipped off the pylons and brushed forward to seize control with Command Center approaching a :57 half. He accelerated on the point through the last turn and opened several lengths on his competition clocking by three-quarters in 1:25.1, but wavered while alone on the lead in the lane. Nights In Miami (Marvin Luna) ripped through a seam at the inside to press Command Center late, though the favorite reengaged once confronted to the finish to hold firmly for the win by a neck. Special Day (Andy McCarthy) finished third from a first-over move in the last turn while New Hope (Joe Bongiorno) followed his cover for fourth.
“He’s a really nice colt, but he did get a little lost halfway up the straight,” Dunn said after the race. “I had to ease him and a lot of talking to him, but he got back to it when I asked him.”
Marcus Melander trains Command Center, a two-time winner from six starts with $135,100 banked, for owners S R F Stable, Holly Lane Stud East Ltd. and Steve Stewart. The colt by Gimpanzee, out of world champion mare and Red Mile track-record holder Mission Brief, paid $3.94 to win.














