In his three previous victories this year, Captain Optimistic had secured the front end by the half. So when his backers at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday, 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 preserved enough late kick to take the $22,535 Winners Over Handicap Pace.

Watch the coverage of the 2026 Hall of Fame Ceremony on US Trotting YouTube page.

Posted on July 5, 2026 by Dave Briggs, Harness Racing Update More than 60 years after tagging along with his father to Greenwood Raceway, standardbred breeder, owner, philanthropist and now Hall of Famer Marvin Katz still has a white hot passion for harness racing. If there is one thing that motivates Marvin Katz, it’s a […]

Join us in celebrating this honor as Marvin Katz is inducted into the Hall of Fame. Watch the ceremony live on Facebook or YouTube this Sunday, July 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Click the link below to learn more from the USTA, including details on the Red Carpet interviews and access to the live interview […]

Posted on June 18, 2026 by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager Captain Optimistic won in 1:46.4 last week at the Meadowlands. Lisa Photo. Hightstown, NJ – Captain Optimistic has gotten his 4-year-old season off to a fast start. Literally. The son of Captaintreacherous-Cinamony, who has divided his time this year between stallion duty and racing, paced the season’s fastest […]

Lainey W earned her first win of the season on June 14 at Pocono Downs, capturing her division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies. Driven by Yannick Gingras, Lainey W followed a patient trip before finding room in the stretch and closing strongly to get up in the final strides. The victory […]

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Rising star Leading Lady delivered a standout performance on May 23, 2026, capturing the New Jersey Sire Stakes Platinum Division – 3-Year-Old Fillies (1st Leg) at The Meadowlands in impressive fashion.

Chester, PA — Captain Optimistic left little doubt that he was ready for top-level competition as he won his 4-year-old debut Sunday (May 17) at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:48.1, equaling the track record for pacing horses of his age.

Slip Sliding Away foaled a colt by Chapter Seven on February 21, 2026.

Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that prominent owner/breeder Marvin Katz of Toronto, Ont. has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Cam Fella Award. Named in honour of the legendary Standardbred Cam Fella, the award recognizes individuals whose recent contributions have had a significant impact on Canadian harness racing. Katz is being recognized […]