Captain Optimistic and driver Dexter Dunn found room to the outside after coming out of the last turn and battled past Madden Oaks and Papis Pistol in deep stretch to win the $315,764 Cane Pace (Grade 2) in 1:48.1 at The Meadowlands on Saturday, Aug. 2.
The margin of victory was a half-length over Madden Oaks, with Papis Pistol another three-quarters of a length back.
Papis Pistol and driver David Miller led the field to the opening quarter in :26.1 after holding off Captain Optimistic on the first turn, with Captain Optimistic settling for the two-hole ahead of Madden Oaks in third. The order remained the same at the half, reached in :53.4, but Madden Oaks and driver Braxten Boyd went on the attack on the last turn.
Madden Oaks was a parked-out first at three-quarters in 1:21, with Captain Optimistic pinned in fourth on the inside, but Captain Optimistic was able to angle out in the stretch and march home in a race-best :26.4 on the way to his third win in seven starts this season for trainer Nancy Takter.
“I was happy to take the two-hole behind Dave’s horse; he’s a good horse to follow,” said Dunn. “Going to the last turn, Dave’s horse wasn’t getting around there that good and Braxten came with a bit of a charge, but we found a good split there and he kicked home super. I had plenty of pace, he was travelling good at the time, I was just hoping for some clear air.”
The Cane Pace is the second jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown. Twisted Destiny, the winner of the first jewel, the MGM Grand Messenger Pace, was not among the six horses in the Cane.
“At the three-quarters I wasn’t too happy. I was like, oh, gosh, here we go again, another bad trip for this poor colt,” said Takter. “Because he is actually a really nice colt and he deserves to have a classic win. So, I’m happy that he got a Triple Crown win for himself.”
Captain Optimistic is owned by 3 Brothers Stables of New York City, New York, Marvin Katz of Toronto, Ont., and Caviart Farms of Vienna, Virginia. The colt, a son of Captaintreacherous and Cinamony, was bred by Fair Winds Farm. He has won 10 of 18 career races and earned more than $965,000.
“This is the only three-year-old pacing colt that I own, so it’s unique,” said Katz. “I’m quite fortunate to have him. Owners can be prejudiced, and I am as much as anyone else, but he deserved this. He’s demonstrated he’s absolutely one of the best three-year-old pacing colts in the country. Today was his day. He did have an easy trip, but he demonstrated what a great colt he is today.”
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Captain Optimistic paid $3.60 to win.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)