With the connections already boasting two victories in the Pepsi North America Cup, it's safe to say that Judy Chaffee has solid reasons for being "optimistic" on a third potential 'Cup' capture in 2025.

As the eliminations for the 2025 Pepsi North America Cup are set for this weekend, Trot Insider concludes its profiles for the race's top contenders as they aim for Canadian harness racing's most prestigious prize on Saturday, June 14.

Coming in at 7-1 odds, Captain Optimistic was ranked no. 4 in TROT Magazine’s 2025 Pepsi North America Spring Book.

Last year, the son of Captaintreacherous-Cinamony won seven of 11 starts, taking a mark of 1:49 while banking $628,529 for trainer Nancy Takter and owners 3 Brothers Stables of New York, N.Y., Marvin Katz of Toronto, Ont. and Caviart Farms of Vienna, Va. His biggest win came in his final start of the year, in the $538,310 Governor’s Cup for two-year-old male pacers at The Meadowlands.

“He had a good season last year,” said driver Dexter Dunn in an interview with Meadowlands Racetrack's Dave Little. “But he could do things a little bit wrong. He’s a bit of a quirky horse but he seems to have matured since last year. [He had some steering problems] but it seems like the issues have been corrected. I think it might have been more being immature than anything else. The ability is there. Hopefully, he can put it all together this year.”

The morning line odds makers at Woodbine Mohawk Park have liked what they've seen thus far and installed Captain Optimistic as the 8-5 favourite in Saturday night's first Pepsi North America Cup elim.  He'll line up from post seven with Dunn at the lines, just to the inside of 9-5 choice Swingtown and driver Yannick Gingras.

For an update, Trot Insider caught up with the colt's co-owner, Judy Chaffee of Caviart Farms, who has won this race twice before while teamed with Takter —  in 2019 with Captain Crunch and 2020 with Tall Dark Stranger.

Can you report any changes in him (physical or mental) from last year to this year?

"Wow, he has really matured!  In his qualifier on May 2 he looked exactly as one would hope for a returning sophomore!  He has really filled out.  And where last year there was a bit of trying to keep him going straight, that should not be an issue this year."

What were your thoughts on that debut qualifier?
   
"At the start of Optimistic’s qualifier, the starting gate opened for the field – and Dexter took Optimistic back, fifth in a field of five colts.  At around the half things began to get serious and Dexter signaled for Optimistic to be on the move -- then soaring, gaining ground with every stride down the stretch!  It was an incredibly impressive 1:51.4 win, Optimistic besting second place finisher Fallout — who is actually another Caviart farms-owned North America Cup eligible. With that final quarter of :25.4, it just felt like he was giving notice that he was going to be a force to be reckoned with this year."

What options does his tentative schedule have after the North America Cup?

"Captain Optimistic has what I consider to be a pretty full and great selection of three-year-old stakes.  Right off my head, I believe that his list includes most or all of the biggest dances — including the Meadowlands Pace, Delvin Miller Adios, Cane, Max C. Hempt, the Little Brown Jug, Bluegrass, Tattersalls, Breeders Crown and Progress Pace."

What's his biggest asset or strength, and describe him in one word if you can.

"He has such a great gait that he almost seems to effortlessly glide across the ground.  To describe him in one word? -- energetic!  Optimistic just keeps getting better and better, and he does not easily tire – he just keeps going and going and going. "

At what point last year did you think this horse was North America Cup material?

"Perhaps I jumped the gun a bit, but in June and July qualifiers at The Meadowlands last year Optimistic posted last quarters of :25.4.  Our Caviart Ally did an identical :25.4 in her first qualifier there as a two-year-old and ended her career with a mark of 1:48 and just under $2 million in earnings – so the speedy last quarters felt like an omen that Optimistic was “the real deal”!  He kept getting better and better (there are those words again), and by the time he won the New Jersey Classic Final and then the Metro elim – there was no question.  It felt crystal clear that he was North America Cup material!    

Any three-year-old stablemates / horses you own that are paid up and also looking promising?

"Of course, everyone at Caviart Farms – including me – is also high on our other North America Cup eligible – Fallout, who trains with Tony Alagna.  He is another very talented colt.  I guess that I would be remiss if I did not mention that in a dream scenario, it would be thrilling to see them finish first and second in the North America Cup. 

"On the trotting side, another of our returning standouts is Champagne Problems.  Her story is what dreams are made of and would make a perfect Disney movie — a filly bought by a trainer for her young son and daughter, winning multiple stakes and half a million dollars and ultimately capping the season by being voted the country’s top two-year-old trotting filly as Dan Patch Two Year Old Trotting Filly of the Year!  Of course, Nancy bought the filly for her kids, Ella and M.J., and we were happy to be invited to join in with them."

As someone who's won this race before, how does it feel to have another legit shot at the North America Cup?

"There are some things in life that seem absolutely impossible.  Winning the North America Cup felt that way to Buck and to me, two owners who started out simply with hopes of having a horse to someday race at The Meadowlands.  Then in 2019 along came the great Captain Crunch who captured that “impossible dream.”  A year later, it was our great Tall Dark Stranger!  Both colts, by the way, were under the tutelage of Nancy – just as with Captain Optimistic.   To think of it happening a third time – someone would have to pinch us for us to believe that it was true!  Really, though, we never lose sight that it is the horse whose grit and talent allows him to reach that threshold of being a North America Cup winner and star.  And for another of our horses to win the North America Cup, to be listed among the great horses enshrined in the annals of great Standardbred winners – that would be amazing!  So for them especially, I would dearly love to see it happen.  Whatever horse wins, it will be another example of Standardbred greatness – and for all of us it will be a happy moment and cause for celebration."

(Standardbred Canada)