Calumet Adds Four Stallions for 2017
Calumet Farm will introduce four new stallions in 2017, led by 2015 champion turf male Big Blue Kitten.
Optimizer
- Bay Colt
- Born 2009
- KY-Bred
Hodges Photography / Alexander Barkoff
Optimizer (right) makes his move to win the 2013 Fair Grounds Handicap.
Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.
Optimizer wins the 2013 Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap.
HoofprintsInc.com
Optimizer wins the 2012 Kent Stakes.
Mallory Haigh
First Time by in Kentucky Derby 138.
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Mathea Kelley
Optimizer and D. Wayne Lukas - Churchill Downs 5/2/2012
Mathea Kelley
Optimizer - Churchill Downs 5/2/2012
Mathea Kelley
Optimizer - Churchill Downs 5/2/2012
Mathea Kelley
Optimizer - Churchill Downs 5/2/2012
Mathea Kelley
Optimizer - Churchill Downs, May 2, 2012
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Reed Palmer Photography/Churchill Downs
Optimizer gallops at Churchill Downs 4/22/2012
Anne M. Eberhardt
Optimizer - Churchill Downs, April 27, 2012
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Anne M. Eberhardt
Optimizer - Churchill Downs, April 27, 2012
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Reed Palmer Photography, Churchill Downs
Optimizer - Churchill Downs, April 22, 2012
Reed Palmer/Churchill Downs
Optimizer at Churchill Downs 4/23/2012
Mathea Kelley
Optimizer in the DIxiana Breeders' Futurity.
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TimeformUS Weekend Stakes Play
TimeformUS looks at the Elkhorn Stakes (gr. IIT) at Keeneland. read blog
Unitarian Aims for Second Elkhorn Victory
Robert Evans' Unitarian will attempt to become the fourth horse to win the $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn (gr. IIT) in consecutive years April 18, when he faces 10 rivals at Keeneland.
TimeformUS Weekend Plays: Shadwell Turf Mile
TimeformUS Weekend Stakes Plays for the G1 Shadwell Tuf Mile, featuring lifetime PPs from Wise Dan. read blog
That Handicapping Show: Shadwell Turf Mile
Tom LaMarra and Claire Novak at Keeneland to preview the Shadwell Turf Mile featuring Wise Dan, Optimizer, Silver Max, Kaigun, and Seek Again. Watch Video
Wise Dan Faces Stiff Shadwell Turf Mile Test
Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan faces the stiffest challenge of his remarkable return from colic surgery when he takes on Seek Again and Silver Max among seven rivals in the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 4.
Wise Dan Passes Return Test in Flying Colors
Though he has been with Wise Dan throughout a 30-race campaign that began in the winter of 2010, trainer Charlie LoPresti continues to be awed by his two-time Horse of the Year.
Wise Dan Victorious in Bernard Baruch Return
Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, making his first start since returning after May 16 colic surgery, held off 29-1 shot Optimizer to win the $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) at Saratoga.
Target on Wise Dan for Bernard Baruch Return
On Aug. 30, Wise Dan will face a solid field in the $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) as the 127-pound highweight while making his long-awaited return after May 16 colic surgery.
Calumet Farm's English Channel and V. E. Day
- By Ron Mitchell
Watch footage of English Channel as Calumet Farm stallion director Ken Wilkins talks about V. E. Day, Optimizer, horses in training and future plans for racing. watch video
Calumet Farm's English Channel and V. E. Day
Watch footage of English Channel as Calumet Farm stallion director Ken Wilkins discusses plans for Calumet Farm. Learn more about Travers Stakes winner V. E. Day, Optimizer updates, and how their 70 horses in training are doing. Read more on this visit to Calumet Farm here.
GI Winner Forte Dei Marmi Heads Elkhorn
Stella Perdomo's 7-year-old gelding Forte Dei Marmi has the distinction of being the only grade I winner in the full 14-horse field set for the April 26 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland.
Winning Prize Streaks Home in Kilroe Mile
Argentinian import Winning Prize streaked gate-to-wire in the $350,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park March 8, securing his first grade I score in the U.S.
Lochte Looks for First California Stakes
Lochte, impressive 39-1 winner of the Feb. 9 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT), will attempt to repeat his success in his first trip to California when he faces nine others in the March 8 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr.IT).
Boisterous Tops Full Field in Sword Dancer
Boisterous may have won the Man o' War Stakes (gr. IT) last time out at Belmont Park, but he isn't scaring away competition from the Aug. 17 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap (gr. IT) at Saratoga Race Course.
Dynaformer Filly Sells for $1,225,000
A half sister to multiple graded-stakes winner Optimizer was sold for $1,225,000 to top the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale Aug. 5.
Saratoga Sale - Hip 69 - Dynaformer-Indy Pick
Hip No. 69, a daughter of Dynaformer who is a half to multiple graded stakes winner Optimizer, sells for $1,225,000 at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga select yearling sale Aug. 5.
Stuart Enthusiastic for Fasig-Tipton Saratoga
Consignor John Stuart of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services has 11 yearlings entered in the Aug. 5-6 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, including a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Optimizer.
THS: Man o' War Stakes and Virginia Derby
Frank Angst and Claire Novak handicap the Man o' War Stakes and Virginia Derby. Both seem to think the Virginia Derby will be a very telling and exciting race to watch. Can the Kittens finish 1-2-3? watch video
Boisterous Looks to Step Up in Man o' War
Although Point of Entry will not defend his title in the $600,000 Man o' War Handicap at Belmont Park July 13, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey hopes Boisterous will be a capable pinch-hitter in the grade I turf event.
Point of Entry Slams Door in Manhattan 'Cap
Phipps Stable's Point of Entry captured his eighth victory in 12 starts on grass with a smooth come-from-behind win in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. IT) at Belmont Park June 8.
Manhattan: Weather Won't Stop Point of Entry
Trainer Shug McGaughey said emphatically that turf star Point of Entry will compete in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. IT) June 8, despite the forecast for rain over the weekend.
Pimlico-Loving Skyring Posts 24-1 Dixie Upset
Calumet Farm's Skyring, winless in 11 starts since a victory at Pimlico Race Course last May, found the winner's circle again at the Maryland track in the Longines Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT).
Lukas Has Two in Dixie on Preakness Day
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has three starters in the May 18 Preakness Stakes and five in races on the undercard, including Optimizer and Skyring as part of a 13-horse field for the Longines Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT).
Wise Dan Pours It On in Woodford Reserve Win
Horse of the Year Wise Dan ran his winning streak to six races and surpassed $4 million in career earnings handily in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) over yielding ground May 4 at Churchill Downs.
Wise Dan Takes on Point of Entry in Woodford
Wise Dan and Point of Entry face off May 4 at Churchill Downs in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), the race immediately preceding the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
Fort Larned Set to Go for Oaklawn Handicap
An unfortunate stumble at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) last month cost Fort Larned his seasonal debut, but the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner is back in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II).
Amira's Prince Maintains Hot Streak in Muniz
Favored Amira's Prince recorded his fourth consecutive win since arriving in the United States, holding off a determined charge from Willcox Inn in the $400,000 Mervin H. Muniz Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) March 30.
Mervin Muniz 'Cap is Optimizer's to Lose
Optimizer has been a different horse since he moved to the grass, and streaks into the March 30 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds with two graded stakes scores under his girth.
Optimizer Handles Soft Fair Grounds 'Cap Lawn
Optimizer hopped at the break of the $150,000 Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) but drew clear in the end, earning his second straight victory over the turf at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 23.
Optimizer Targets Fair Grounds Handicap
After dominating in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) Jan. 26 at Fair Grounds, Optimizer will try for a second straight win on the Stall-Wilson Course in the Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) Feb. 23.
Optimizer Wins E.R. Bradley for Red-Hot Lukas
Optimizer went wire-to-wire in the $125,000 Col. E.R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 26 for red-hot Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who has won three stakes races in eight days.
Lukas Could Continue Streak in E.R. Bradley
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks to continue his hot streak in the $125,000 Col. E.R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, sending out Optimizer in the Jan. 26 turf test for older males.
Grandeur Handles Turf Cup Distance
Favored Grandeur earned his second grade II win from three United States starts when he came from off the pace to capture the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup by three-quarters of a length at Betfair Hollywood Park Dec. 15.
Grandeur Tries Elders in Hollywood Turf Cup
Runner-up as the favorite in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT), Grandeur will try to become the first 3-year-old since Bien Bien in 1992 to win the Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IIT) Dec. 15 at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Boisterous One to Beat in River City
Boisterous, winner of the Red Smith Handicap and Knickerbocker in his previous two starts, carries top weight of 124 pounds against 11 rivals in the $100,000 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs.
Lukas Optimistic About Optimizer
Son of grass champion English Channel heads into BC Turf with two straight grass wins.
St Nicholas Abbey, Point of Entry Head Turf
Pit last year's European-based Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner against New York's finest coming off five consecutive victories, and the Turf might look like a two-horse race between St Nicholas Abbey and Point of Entry.
Optimizer Continues Climb With Kent Score
Bluegrass Hall's homebred Optimizer continued his climb through conditions on the turf with a powerful 4 1/4-length win in the $200,625 Kent Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Delaware Park Sept. 22, earning his first graded stakes score.
Cozzetti Leads Full Kent Stakes Field
American Derby winner Cozzetti seeks a return to winning ways in the $200,000 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park Sept. 22, but plenty of new rivals including Lucky Chappy, Miami Cat, and Optimizer are ready to take him on.
Daddy Nose Best Heads Hall of Fame Stakes
Trainer Steve Asmussen has switched gears with Daddy Nose Best, attempting to take the colt from Triple Crown contender to quality turf runner in the $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame
Sterling Show by Silver Max in Virginia Derby
It didn't go as smoothly as planned but odds-on choice Silver Max got the job done anyway in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), registering his sixth consecutive turf win on yielding ground at Colonial Downs July 21.
Silver Max's Streak On Line in Virginia Derby
Silver Max puts a five-race winning streak on the line as the 123-pound high weight July 21 in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), the showcase event of the summer meet at Colonial Downs.
I'll Have Another Goes Out for Early Gallop
A congested detention barn for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) horses led trainer Doug O'Neill to send I'll Have Another out for an early jog and gallop June 8.
I'll Have Another Bucking Trends in Belmont
When I'll Have Another attempts to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in racing history June 9 in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), he will be bucking more than the 34-year gap since the last one.
I'll Have Another Draws Post 11 for Belmont
I'll Have Another gets another outside draw, post 11 of 12, for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The son of Flower Alley bids to become racing's 12th winner of the Triple Crown in the "Test of the Champion" June 9.
On Location - D. Wayne Lukas at Belmont Park
D. Wayne Lukas tells the story of Hamazing Destiny from Tuesday. Lukas also comments on Optimizer and the Belmont Stakes barn. watch video
Sloppy Track Delays Plans for Belmont Workers
With the main track listed as sloppy following overnight rain, no Belmont Stakes (gr. I) contender worked out at Belmont Park June 2. Instead, the majority of the field will have their final breezes the following morning.
Final Workout Plans for Belmont Contenders
With two Belmont Stakes (gr. I) hopefuls having completed their final workouts, trainers of other contenders for the June 9 classic have firmed up their plans.
I'll Have Another Gallops at Belmont Park
With a steady rain falling, dual classic winner I'll Have Another galloped a mile at Belmont Park May 25 as he continued to prepare for attempt at history in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Connections
| Trainer | Jose Fernandez |
|---|---|
| Jockey | Corey J. Lanerie |
| Owner | Calumet Farm |
| Breeder | Bluegrass Hall, LLC |
Pedigree
| Optimizer View Five-Cross Pedigree | English Channel | Smart Strike |
| Belva | ||
| Indy Pick | A.P. Indy | |
| Fantastic Find |
Auction History
No auction history found.
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