STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Representing the drivers, trainers, caretakers, breeders and owners of New Jersey

64 Business Route 33

Manalapan, NJ 07726

Phone: 732-462-2357

Fax: 732-409-0741

STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY

Representing the drivers, trainers, caretakers, breeders and owners of New Jersey

64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 

Phone: 732-462-2357 | Fax: 732-409-0741

BACK

CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC MAKES IT HAPPEN IN GOVERNOR'S CUP

James Witherite, Meadowlands Media Relations • December 1, 2024

Following a third-place finish in the Metro Pace and a fourth-place effort in the Breeders Crown, Captain Optimistic put it all together with a powerful two-move mile to win the $382,200 Governor's Cup, for 2-year-old male pacers, on Saturday (Nov. 30) at the Meadowlands ...

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- November 30, 2024 -- Following a third-place finish in the Metro Pace and a fourth-place effort in the Breeders Crown, Captain Optimistic put it all together with a powerful two-move mile to win the $382,200 Governor's Cup, for 2-year-old male pacers, on Saturday (Nov. 30) at the Meadowlands.


After being looped on the first turn by 50-1 long shot Papi's Rocket (driven by George Brennan), Captain Optimistic and driver Dexter Dunn forged to the front at the end of a :27.2 first quarter before stringing out Papis Pistol (Andy Miller) to the :54.3 half-mile juncture. Only a few strides after releasing Papis Pistol, Captain Optimistic angled out of the pocket to ensure clear sailing for the final three-eighths of the mile. The Captaintreacherous-Cinamony colt ground forward at the flank of Papis Pistol to three-quarters in 1:22.2 and asserted to reclaim the lead off the turn for home.


"Dex had to use him hard two times in the race," said trainer Nancy Takter, adding that the colt "covers a lot of ground."


Off the corner, Captain Optimistic sprinted clear while driven out by Dunn before being taken in hand for the final 100 yards of his four-length, 1:49.3 win. Swingtown (Yannick Gingras) sustained a two-wide advance from midfield to take second; Papi's Rocket finished third.


"He's had a really good season; he won the New Jersey Classic here," continued Takter. "He's continued to improve. We had some trouble getting him to steer properly, but today was the best he's steered. Hopefully that carries over to 2025.


Captain Optimistic, a seven-time winner from 11 starts, has earned $454,830 this season for 3 Brothers Stables, Marvin Katz and Caviart Farms. As the 4-5 favorite, he paid $3.80 to win.

By Meadowlands Media Relations August 21, 2025
For a second straight week, the usual two-day-a-week racing schedule at The Meadowlands will be cut in half due to preseason football at MetLife Stadium, as there will be no live action this Friday (Aug. 22) before a 15-race program takes place on Saturday (Aug. 23) ...
By Courtney Stafford August 20, 2025
The SBOANJ is proud to announce the 2025 - 2026 New Jersey Incentive Programs. The Incentive Programs include breeders awards, New Jersey sired owner awards, and the Resident Mare Rebates ...
By the U.S. Harness Writers Association August 19, 2025
The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), in conjunction with the Harness Racing Hall of Fame, is pleased to announce the election of Dr. John Egloff, Marvin Katz, and David Reid to the greatest honor in the industry, membership to the Hall of Fame ...
By Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager August 18, 2025
Warrawee Michelle won Saturday’s $100,000 Grade 3 Sebastian K Invitational for older trotters at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania in 1:50, becoming the fastest 4-year-old trotter ever on a five-eighths-mile track and giving trainer Ake Svanstedt his third consecutive victory in the event named after one of his former stars ...
By Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager August 17, 2025
Captain Albano and driver Todd McCarthy went to the front and never looked back, winning Saturday’s $100,000 Grade 3 Always B Miki Invitational by a half-length over Coaches Corner in 1:48.2 at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Ken Hanover finished third ...
By PHHA/Pocono August 17, 2025
Super Chapter became the first 3-year-old to trot a five-eighth-mile track in 1:50 while winning the $300,000 Grade 2 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial on Saturday at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, but Emoticon Legacy pushed the winner to the utmost before failing to hold him off by the smallest possible margin ...
More Posts