Dreamon Take claimed victory in a tough post-position mile turf race, while Pen Oaks was initially featured in the Polic Report.
DJ Stable’s Dream On set a strong pace on the boys’ turf course during last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. On Friday evening, at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pennsylvania, he earned his first Grade Stakes win by capturing the $400,000 Pen Mile Stakes.
The colt, trained by Mark Cass and ridden by Javier Castellano, came from behind in a five-horse field to defeat Cairo Caper in a 3-year-old, one-mile turf race. The favorite, Mi Bago, who was 3-5 odds, took the lead early but settled for fourth place after being overtaken just before the finish. Panagiotis rounded out the field in fifth. The turf race was completed in 1:35.62.
Originally delayed twice due to heavy rain forecasts, the Pen Mile could not avoid wet conditions, which led to the withdrawal of three original entrants—State Rights, Barbadon Runner, and the early favorite Zulu Kingdom. Mi Bago, piloted by Irad Ortiz Jr., set solid early fractions of 23.97, 48.30, 1:12.11, and 1:23.87. Dream On and Castellano stayed within four lengths of the leader through the first half-mile, took the lead heading into the stretch, and ultimately triumphed inside the final furlong.
Dream On was acquired for $380,000 by DJ Stable at De Meric Sales during the April OBS. He was trained last year as a 2-year-old by Aaron and Marie Jones in Kentucky. His dam, Mamma Kimbo, was a graded stakes winner herself, having won the G2 Fantasy Stakes. Dream On’s Pen Mile victory marked his fourth win from nine career starts, and his first graded stakes win. Previously, he finished third at Woodbine’s G1 Summer Stakes in September and was runner-up at the Breeders’ Cup boys’ lawn race, where he led early but faded late. He entered the Pen Mile fresh off a narrow win in the Woodhaven Stakes at Aqueduct in late April.
In related news, the $150,000 Pen Oaks was contested in a field of five, with 3-5 favorite Laurelin extending her unbeaten record to four wins for trainer Graham Motion.
Jose Lewis rode Laurelin, a 3-year-old Irish-bred filly by Zarak, who settled just behind early pace setter Pure Majestic before making a strong move around the turn and holding on to win by a quarter length. Candy Quest, ridden by Javier Castellano, finished third, followed by Bessie Abbott and Pure Majestic. Laurelin completed the one-mile turf race in 1:35.54, paying $3.20 to win.
Owned by Newsted Stables, Laurelin debuted last October at Aqueduct and won the Tepin Stakes on the same track in November. After a winter break, she returned in April 2025 at Aqueduct, winning the Silver Stakes in her first race of the year.
This report was originally published by Paulick Report on June 28, 2025.
Fan Take: This thrilling update highlights the rising stars Dream On and Laurelin, showing the depth of talent emerging on the turf. Their performances provide excitement for horse racing fans and hint at a promising new generation of competitors who could shape the future of the sport.
