Lettibefirst ridden by Gustavo Moreno, rallies from mid-pack to capture the $18,750 Pen Pal Stakes at Arapahoe Park on June 13.

© Arapahoe Park

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

AURORA, CO–JUNE 13, 2026–Lettibefirst unleashed a powerful late rally to capture the $18,750 Pen Pal Stakes on Saturday afternoon at Arapahoe Park, covering 350 yards in :17.708 over a fast track with an 8 mph crosswind while posting a 102 speed index.

Ridden by Gustavo Moreno for owner and trainer Zachary Quezada, Lettibefirst broke from post seven and settled mid-pack early before launching a determined stretch run. The four-year-old surged past the leaders in the final strides to win by one-half length over Set The Edge.

Bred by Armando Jaquez, Lettibefirst is a four-year-old son of Walcott out of the winning First Down Dash mare Dashing Lili, a stakes finalist. The victory was his second from 15 career starts and increased his bankroll to $42,433 after earning the winner's share of $11,250.

Set The Edge finished a game second under Jose Rodriguez for owner and trainer Alex Torres-Casas. Breaking sharply from post five, the gelding stayed within striking distance throughout before edging clear for the place position in the final yards.

Bred by McColee Land & Livestock LLC, the four-year-old gelding is a $60,000 graduate of the Heritage Place Yearling Sale. He is sired by champion KVN Corona and out of the stakes-winning One Famous Eagle mare Famous Little Reba. Set The Edge is also a half-brother to stakes winner A New Dynasty.

The runner-up effort pushed his career record to 25 starts with three wins, seven seconds and three thirds while boosting his earnings to $86,695. He entered the race off a finalist effort in the Turf Paradise Championship Challenge Stakes and remains in search of his first stakes victory after previously finishing second in the Desert Classic Derby.

Milagro Lady completed the trifecta for owner Neale Edwards and trainer Kayla Warren. Jockey Larren Delorme guided the six-year-old mare to the early lead before she battled throughout and held third, just three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

Bred by R. Stratton and S & N Edwards, Milagro Lady is by Rite Favorite and out of the Jesse James Jr mare Ping Pong Patty, a stakes-placed runner. The veteran mare was making her first start since a finalist effort in the Energy Downs 307 Fillies and Mare Stakes.

With the third-place finish, her record now stands at 39-9-6-6 with earnings of $235,235. Her resume includes a victory in the Grade 1 New Mexico Fillies and Mare Championship and a runner-up finish in last year's Pen Pal Stakes.

Baylor finished fourth and was followed by Presido Pete, Favorite Kali Cartel and One Glittering Flare. Coronasgotheart and Skindatsmokewagon were scratched.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.