Captain Optimistic will join harness racing's stallion ranks in 2026.

The winner of Grand Circuit events such as the Governor’s Cup, Cane Pace and Bluegrass Stakes, Captain Optimistic will stand in New Jersey at Deo Volente Farms next year.

“We are thrilled to have Captain Optimistic standing at our farm,” said Michael Gulotta, Deo Volente Farms' CEO. “We were super impressed with his athleticism — his tremendous speed and superb stamina. He actually reminds me very much of his sire, Captaintreacherous. With his great bloodlines, great conformation and terrific racing attributes, he has all of the right stuff to be a very successful stallion.

“No question, we are big believers in him. Plus, given the significant enhancements in the New Jersey Sire Stakes program, we know that breeders who send their mares to him will be well-rewarded for doing so.”

Nancy Takter, who trained Captain Optimistic throughout his racing career, agrees that he has the attributes that breeders, trainers and owners look for in a stallion.

“He’s a big, strong colt. He’s great-gaited and he gives you everything he has every time he goes on the racetrack,” said Takter.

Captain Optimistic will be the first son of Captaintreacherous to stand in New Jersey. He is well-bred on both his paternal and maternal lines. He is out of the stakes-winning Art Official mare Cinamony, who has a mark of 1:49.3, earnings of $532,404, and is the half-sister of $1.7 million winner Fear The Dragon. Cinamony’s second dam is Mattaroni, who earned $744,481 and paced in 1:52.3 at three.

Throughout his racing career, Captain Optimistic campaigned at the highest levels and produced multiple eye-catching performances. He has a two-year-old mark of 1:49, taken at The Meadowlands, a three-year-old mark of 1:48, taken at The Red Mile, and earnings of $1,204,124 to date, with several major stakes races to come.

In 2024, at two, he won the New Jersey Classic final in 1:50.1, set a track record of 1:49 in a Breeders Crown elimination at The Meadowlands and captured the $538,310 Governor’s Cup in a sharp 1:49.3 mile. In 2025, he won the Cane Pace in 1:48.1 and a division of the Bluegrass in 1:48.

Captain Optimistic’s arrival at Deo Volente Farms coincides with upcoming racing incentives designed to bolster New Jersey-sired horses. Beginning in 2026, the New Jersey Sire Stakes Board will launch a Silver Series, adding to the existing Platinum (formerly Premier) Series, to expand racing opportunities for New Jersey-sired two- and three-year-olds.

For more information about Captain Optimistic’s stallion career, contact Linda Petrenko of Deo Volente Farms at 908-782-4848 or email [email protected].

(Deo Volente Farms)