The Penn Oaks at Penn National Race Course is set to feature a competitive field of three-year-old fillies, battling over one mile on turf for a $150,000 purse. This stakes race has historically been a proving ground for elite turf specialists, with past winners going on to compete in graded stakes events.
Race Details
Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
Time: 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Penn National Race Course, Grantville, PA
Surface: Turf
Distance: One mile
Purse: $150,000
Field Overview – Horses, Jockeys & Trainers
1. Candy Quest – Jockey: Javier Castellano | Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Pedigree: Sired by Connect, known for producing strong turf runners.
Recent Form: Finished fourth in the Memories of Silver Stakes, showing solid closing speed.
Strengths: Tactical versatility and ability to handle firm turf conditions.
2. Warming – Jockey: Manuel Franco | Trainer: H. Graham Motion
Pedigree: By Global Campaign, a sire known for producing stamina-driven turf specialists.
Recent Form: Won a Delaware allowance race, displaying impressive acceleration.
Strengths: Strong finishing kick and proven stamina at this distance.
3. Accent – Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Pedigree: By Pinatubo, a European sire known for elite turf speed.
Recent Form: Won a Tampa Bay maiden special weight, showing dominant early speed.
Strengths: Tactical versatility and ability to dictate the pace.
4. Admit – Jockey: Frankie Dettori | Trainer: Thomas Drury Jr.
Pedigree: By Blame, a sire known for producing durable distance runners.
Recent Form: Finished seventh in the Ashland Stakes, struggling against graded competition.
Strengths: Experience at Penn National and ability to handle softer turf conditions.
5. Midway Memories – Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. | Trainer: Chad C. Brown
Pedigree: By Cairo Prince, a sire known for producing elite turf specialists.
Recent Form: Won an Aqueduct maiden special weight, showing strong closing ability.
Strengths: Strong pedigree for long-distance turf racing.
6. Pure Majestic – Jockey: Tyler Conner | Trainer: John J. Robb
Pedigree: By Tapit, known for producing speed-oriented turf runners.
Recent Form: Finished eighth in the Hilltop Stakes, struggling against graded competition.
Strengths: Tactical speed and ability to handle firm turf conditions.
7. Bessie Abott – Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez | Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Pedigree: By Kuroshio, an Australian sire known for producing sprinters with turf ability.
Recent Form: Finished second in the Wonder Again Stakes, showing elite closing speed.
Strengths: Late acceleration and ability to handle a fast pace scenario.
8. Serene Spirit – Jockey: Paco Lopez | Trainer: Jorge Duarte Jr.
Pedigree: By Speightstown, known for producing versatile turf runners.
Recent Form: Finished ninth in a Monmouth allowance race, struggling with traffic issues.
Strengths: Tactical speed and ability to handle firm turf conditions.
9. Love You Anyway – Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz | Trainer: George R. Arnold II
Pedigree: By Tapit, known for producing elite turf specialists.
Recent Form: Won a Keeneland maiden special weight, showing dominant early speed.
Strengths: Tactical versatility and ability to dictate the pace.
Race Strategy & Key Matchups
Pace Projection: Expect Accent and Love You Anyway to set the early pace, while Bessie Abott and Warming will look to close late.
Turf Conditions: The firm turf at Penn National favors speed-oriented runners, giving an edge to Candy Quest and Midway Memories.
Late Kick: Bessie Abott and Warming have the strongest closing ability, making them dangerous in the final furlong.
Opening Odds:
Candy Quest (3-1)
Bessie Abott (4-1)
Accent (5-1)
Warming (6-1)
Midway Memories (7-1)
Love You Anyway (8-1)
Prediction: Bessie Abott to win, Warming to place, Candy Quest to show.
