Mr Dash Fire (#4), under jockey Pedro Gonzalez, holds off Milagro Lady (#1) and El Capitan Low (#2) in the $16,250 Pen Pal Stakes at Arapahoe Park Saturday afternoon.

© Coady Media

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

AURORA, CO–SEPTEMBER 13, 2025—Mr Dash Fire proved best in a thrilling finish to capture the $16,250 Pen Pal Stakes at Arapahoe Park, contested at 350 yards for accredited Quarter Horses three and up.

Breaking sharply from the four post, the 6-year-old sorrel gelding surged late under jockey Pedro Gonzalez to win by a head in a driving finish. He stopped the clock in 18.020 seconds, earning a 90 speed index, with a strong crosswind of 9 mph recorded at the time of the race.

Mr Dash Fire, bred in Colorado by Jesus Pena Villalobos, is by Dash Kicker and out of Lovin M Leave M, by Separatist. Owned and trained by Jesus Pena, the seasoned campaigner earned $9,750 for the victory, pushing his career totals to $123,097.

Winner of the Dolls Prodigy Stakes at Arapahoe last year, Mr Dash Fire displayed grit in the final yards. He overcame early pressure to notch another stakes score, rewarding his backers with $6.80 to win, $3.00 to place, and $2.20 to show.

The winning connections of Mr Dash Fire accept the Pen Pal Stakes trophy at Arapahoe Park on Saturday.
© Coady Media

Runner-up honors went to Milagro Lady, a 5-year-old sorrel mare by Rite Favorite and out of Ping Pong Patty, by Jesse James Jr. Bred in New Mexico by R. Stratton and S. & N. Edwards, she races in the colors of Neale Edwards and is conditioned by Kayla Warren.

With jockey Jose Rodriguez up, she made a clean run and edged out second by a head after a strong late rally. Milagro Lady collected $3,250 for her effort and paid $2.60 to place and $2.40 to show. A restricted Grade 1 winner, she has banked $219,366.

Third place was secured by El Capitan Lew, a 4-year-old sorrel colt by multiple stakes sire Big Lew and out of Bank On Her, by Separatist. Bred in Colorado by Victor Cervantes, he is owned by Alberto Martinez and trained by Hipolito Michel-Valverde.

Ridden by Jayden Ironeyes, El Capitan Lew dug in gamely between rivals and just missed second in a determined finish. His share of the purse was $1,625, and he returned $3.00 to show.

Pari-mutuel payoffs included a $2 Exacta (4–1) worth $15.80, a $2 Quinella (1–4) returning $13.20, a $2 Daily Double (5–4) paying $126.00, and a $2 Pick 3 (5–ALL–ALL) good for $28.40.

Country Rocket Foose led the also-rans in the Pen Pal Stakes in fourth, who broke well but drifted out and evened late. Dreamming Dash completed the field in fifth, never threatening the leaders.

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