Captain Optimistic, winner of such prestigious races as the Governor's Cup, Triple Crown leg Cane Pace and the Bluegrass Stake, will join the stallion ranks of Deo Volente Farms in 2026 ...
FLEMINGTON, NJ -- October 8, 2025 -- Captain Optimistic, winner of such prestigious races as the Governor's Cup, Triple Crown leg Cane Pace and the Bluegrass Stake, will join the stallion ranks of Deo Volente Farms in 2026!
"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 Sires 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, totally 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."
Captain Optimistic will be the first son of Captaintreacherous to stand in New Jersey and is extremely well bred on both his paternal and maternal lines. He is out of the stakes winning mare, Cinamony (by Art Official), who has a mark of 1:49.3F, earnings of $532,404 and is the sister of $1.5 million winning Fear The Dragon. Cinamony's 2nd dam is Mattaroni, P, 3, 1:52.3M, $744,481.
Throughout his racing career, Captain Optimistic campaigned at the highest levels and produced multiple, eye-catching performances. He has a 2-year-old mark of 1:49.0M, a 3-year-old mark of 1:48.0M and earnings of $872,328 (to date with several major stake races to come).
In 2024, at 2, he won the New Jersey Classic Final in 1:50.1 (a personal best at the time); set a track record mile of 1:49.0 in a Breeders Crown elimination at The Meadowlands; and captured the prestigious Governor's Cup in a sharp 1:49.3 mile, securing a $382,200 purse.
In 2025, he won the 3-year-old Triple Crown Cane Pace in 1:48.1 and the 3-year-old Bluegrass stake in 1:48.0.
Captain Optimistic's arrival at Deo Volente Farms dovetails 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 NJ-sired 2- and 3-year-olds.
For more information about Captain Optimistic’s stallion career contact Linda Petrenko, Deo Volente Farms at (908) 782-4848 or email linda@deovolentefarms.com.
