The owners of three-year-old pacer Captain Optimistic have decided to continue to race the son of Captaintreacherous in 2026 as well as breed a limited book of mares.
“I’m really excited to see Captain Optimistic continue racing at four," said Nancy Takter, trainer of Captain Optimistic. "As his three-year-old season progressed, he just got better and better, really finding his maturity. I’m confident he’ll keep developing and stamp himself as one of the top Open pacers next year. And for breeders, there’s a unique opportunity to get in on him now – without any Gural rule penalty – and support New Jersey’s rapidly improving breeding and stakes program at the same time."
"He is a big, strong colt," said Scott Zeron, who drove Captain Optimistic. "Aesthetically, he is just a perfect horse. He showed up to race every calling."
Captain Optimistic is out of stakes-winning Art Official mare, Cinamony, who has a mark of 1:49.3f and earned $532,404. She is a half sister to $1.7 million earner Fear The Dragon. Cinamony’s second dam is Mattaroni p,3,1:52.3 ($744,481).
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 $1,573,723 from 31 races with a summary of 12-8-6.
In 2024, as a two-year-old, 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 Governor’s Cup in a sharp 1:49.3 mile.
In 2025, at age three, he won the Cane Pace in 1:48.1 at The Meadowlands, a division of the Bluegrass Stakes in 1:48 at The Red Mile and the Monument Circle in 1:49.3 at Hoosier Park. He finished second in the New Jersey Classic, Matron Stakes and Progress Pace, and was third in the final of the Little Brown Jug and Breeders Crown.
Captain Optimistic’s stud fee will be $5,000 USD.
For breeding information, contact Linda Petrenko at New Jersey's Deo Volente Farms by calling 908-782-4848 or emailing [email protected].
(With files from Deo Volente Farms)