The Dragon Reborn certainly got a break when he drew the rail for the $14,000 featured pace for classclimbers Sunday afternoon (Aug. 2) at Harrah’s Philadelphia. He needed only one more break in the race, and after that, he maximized his ability to score a 1:51.2 victory.
Tag: Taranaki
Captain Optimistic overcomes hard trip, wins Philly feature
In his three previous victories this year, two of them in sub-1:47, Captain Optimistic had secured the front end by the half. So when his backers at Philly on Sunday afternoon (July 26) saw him sixth and wide nearing the first turn, they might have been worried about the 1-9 choice’s chances. But driver Scott Zeron backed off the early speed battle, raced Captain Optimistic from second-over position, and had enough late kick to take the $16,000 fast-class handicap pace in 1:49.2.