James W. Murphy Stakes
# James W. Murphy Stakes

The James W. Murphy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Open to three-year-old horses, it is contested over a distance of one mile on turf.

Beginning with the 2010 race, the Woodlawn Stakes was renamed the James W. Murphy Stakes in honor of the late trainer, James W. Murphy, a stalwart on the Maryland racing circuit. The race is run on the third Saturday of May on the Preakness Stakes undercard. The race was originally named in honor of the Woodlawn Vase. Due to heavy rains, the 2008 edition had to be switched from the turf to 1+1⁄16 miles on the muddy main track.

The race attracts a different type of horse than the older Dixie Stakes, also run on the turf at Pimlico on that same day. First and most importantly, the Woodlawn is run at one mile, which is considered a sprint on the turf, while the Dixie is run at 1+1⁄8 miles. Horses from the Woodlawn will typically be candidates for the Breeders' Cup Mile later in the year, while Dixie Stakes horses will typically target the Breeders' Cup Turf. The Woodlawn is also restricted to only horses that are three years old, while the Dixie is for any horse three years old and up.

Artie Schiller in 2004 and English Channel in 2005 are the only Woodlawn Stakes winners to go on and win a Breeders' Cup race.

The Woodlawn Stakes was run as a Handicap race in 1966. The race was taken off the turf and run on the main track in 1967, 1975–1978, 1980, 1981, 1988–1990, 1997, 1998 and 2003. The Woodlawn Stakes was an American Grade III stakes race between 1973 through 1989.

The race was run in two divisions in 1986, 1985, 1981, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1969 and 1968.

## Records

Speed record:

* 1 mile – 1:34.32 – Woodwin W (2015)
* 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:43 2/5 – Pulverizing (1989)

Most wins by a jockey:

* 3 – Eldon Nelson (1967, 1970, 1973)
* 3 – William Passmore (1969, 1981 (2×))
* 3 – Vincent Bracciale Jr. (1973, 1980, 1985)
* 3 – Edgar Prado (1993, 1996, 1997)
* 3 – John R. Velazquez (2005, 2009, 2011)
* 3 – Joel Rosario (2012, 2013, 2017)

Most wins by a trainer:

* 3 – Del W. Carroll (1969, 1970, 1980)

Most wins by an owner:

* 2 – Skeedattle Associates (2001 & 2002)
* 2 – Frank E. Power (1969, 1971)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Gr. |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 | Joe | 3 | Victor R. Carrasco | Michael J. Trombetta | The Elkstone Group | 1 mile | 1:35.26 | $100,000 | |
| 2021 | T D Dance | 3 | Javier Castellano | Brad H. Cox | Madakeet Stables, LLC | 1 mile | 1:34.89 | $100,000 | |
| 2020 | Don Juan Kitten | 3 | Gabriel Saez | Danny Gargan | Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey | 1 mile | 1:42.24 | $100,000 | |
| 2019 | English Bee | 3 | José Ortiz | H. Graham Motion | Calumet Farm | 1 mile | 1:35.60 | $100,000 | |
| 2018 | Tap Daddy | 3 | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steve Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | 1 1/16 mile | 1:43.67 | $100,000 | |
| 2017 | Yoshida | 3 | Joel Rosario | William Mott | WinStar Farm & China Horse | 1 mile | 1:36.83 | $100,000 | |
| 2016 | Marengo Road | 3 | Julian Pimentel | Michael Trombetta | Harry & Tom Meyerhoff | 1 mile | 1:39.04 | $100,000 | |
| 2015 | Woodwin W | 3 | Jevian Toledo | Jamie Ness | Woody Weeks | 1 mile | 1:34.32 | $100,000 | |
| 2014 | Wallyanna | 3 | Javier Castellano | Michael Pino | Tim O'Donahue Racing | 1 mile | 1:39.09 | $100,000 | |
| 2013 | Redwood Kitten | 3 | Joel Rosario | Wesley Ward | Kenneth Ramsey | 1 mile | 1:35.17 | $100,000 | |
| 2012 | Skyring | 3 | Joel Rosario | D. Wayne Lukas | Bluegrass Hall | 1 mile | 1:35.64 | $100,000 | |
| 2011 | Chinglish | 3 | John Velazquez | Mark Hennig | Jerry & Ron Frankel | 1 mile | 1:40.05 | $100,000 | |
| 2010 | Beau Choix | 3 | Javier Castellano | Barclay Tagg | Belle Meadows Farm | 1 mile | 1:34.93 | $70,000 | |
| 2009 | Affirmatif | 3 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Wertheimer et Frère | 1 mile | 1:35.70 | $50,000 | |
| 2008 | Termsofengagement | 3 | Rosie Napravnik | Nancy Alberts | Chance Romance Rac. | 1-1/16 | 1:45.64 | $75,000 | |
| 2007 | Rebel Yeller | 3 | Erick Rodriguez | Rodney Jenkins | Centennial Farms | 1 mile | 1:37.56 | $75,000 | |
| 2006 | Rock Lobster | 3 | Joseph Rocco Jr. | Michael Dickinson | Flatbird Stable | 1-1/16 | 1:44.06 | $100,000 | |
| 2005 | English Channel | 3 | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | James Scatuorchio | 1-1/16 | 1:45.55 | $100,000 | |
| 2004 | Artie Schiller | 3 | Richard Migliore | James A. Jerkens | Timber Bay Farm | 1-1/16 | 1:41.86 | $100,000 | |
| 2003 | Christmas Away | 3 | Ramon Domínguez | Robbie Bailes | Elmon Gray | 1-1/16 | 1:45.73 | $100,000 | |
| 2002 | Mr. O'Brien | 3 | Pat Day | Michael Dickinson | Skeedattle Associates | 1-1/16 | 1:40.33 | $75,000 | |
| 2001 | Unaccountedlea | 3 | Mario Pino | Anthony Dutrow | Skeedattle Associates | 1-1/16 | 1:45.73 | $75,000 | |
| 2000 | Blaze and Blues | 3 | Rick Wilson | H. Graham Motion | Lazy Lane Farms | 1-1/16 | 1:41.20 | $75,000 | |
| 1999 | Holditholditholdit | 3 | Steve Hamilton | Jeffrey Carle | Rocky Richter | 1-1/16 | 1:42.60 | $75,000 | |
| 1998 | Poolman | 3 | Joseph Rocco Jr. | Steve Klesaris | Victoria Racing Stables | 1-1/16 | 1:44.20 | $75,000 | |
| 1997 | Two Smart | 3 | Edgar Prado | H. Graham Motion | Herringswell Stables | 1-1/16 | 1:43.40 | $75,000 | |
| 1996 | Allied Forces | 3 | Edgar Prado | Kiaran McLaughlin | Stavloi Anavisou | 1-1/16 | 1:42.60 | $75,000 | |
| 1995 | Ops Smile | 3 | Alberto Delgado | J. William Boniface | Karp Warfield | 1-1/16 | 1:43.20 | $75,000 | |
| 1994 | Honorable Flight | 3 | Larry C. Reynolds | Dale Capuano | Costas Triantafilos | 1-1/16 | 1:44.20 | $75,000 | |
| 1993 | P. J. Higgins | 3 | Edgar Prado | Mary E. Eppler | Mary E. Eppler | 1-1/16 | 1:43.80 | $75,000 | |
| 1992 | Binary Light | 3 | Herb McCauley | Patrick J. Kelly | Live Oak Plantation Racing | 1-1/16 | 1:48.80 | $75,000 | |
| 1991 | Link | 3 | Jacinto Vásquez | Howard M. Tesher | Stewart Madison | 1-1/16 | 1:42.20 | $75,000 | |
| 1990 | Baron de Vaux | 3 | Joe Rocco | Charles Peoples | Dormello Stud | 1-1/16 | 1:45.40 | $75,000 | |
| 1989 | Pulverizing | 3 | Allen T. Stacy | Jerry Robb | Herbert Allen | 1-1/16 | 1:43.40 | $100,000 | III |
| 1988 | Freezees | 3 | Donnie Miller Jr. | James W. Murphy | Jane du Pont Lunger | 1-1/16 | 1:45.20 | $66,500 | III |
| 1987 | Phantom Jet | 3 | Keith K. Allen | Philip A. Gleaves | Mill Creek Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.00 | $66,500 | III |
| 1986 | Tropical Whip | 3 | Mike Hunter | Marvin Moncrief | Stanley S. Bender et al. | 1 mile | 1:35.80 | $66,500 | III |
| 1986 | Fork Union Cadet | 3 | Allen T. Stacy | Ferris Allen | David Popofsky | 1 mile | 1:36.80 | $66,500 | III |
| 1985 # | Tent Up | 3 | Vincent Bracciale | Howard M. Tesher | Geoffrey A. Huguely | 1 mile | 1:40.00 | $66,500 | III |
| 1985 # | Rappashod | 3 | Donnie Miller Jr. | Phil Gleaves | Not Found | 1 mile | 1:39.20 | $66,500 | III |
| 1984 | Nagurski | 3 | Larry Saumell | Michael J. Doyle | Dogwood Stable | 1 mile | 1:44.60 | $66,500 | III |
| 1983 | Disarco's Rib | 3 | Julie Krone | Richard Dutrow | Not Found | 1 mile | 1:39.00 | $66,500 | III |
| 1982 | Give Me Strength | 3 | Jean-Luc Samyn | Luis Barrera | Happy Valley Farm | 1 mile | 1:39.80 | $66,500 | III |
| 1981 # | Thirty Eight Paces | 3 | William Passmore | King T. Leatherbury | Double Paces Stable | 1-1/16 | 1:44.40 | $66,500 | III |
| 1981 # | Timely Counsel | 3 | William Passmore | Not Found | Not Found | 1-1/16 | 1:44.40 | $66,500 | III |
| 1980 | Blue Ensign | 3 | Vincent Bracciale | Del W. Carroll | Locust Hill Farm | 1-1/16 | 1:44.60 | $66,500 | III |
| 1979 | Smarten | 3 | Sam Maple | Woody Stephens | Ryehill Farm | 1 mile | 1:41.80 | $66,500 | III |
| 1978 | Iron Legend | 3 | Michael Sim | Victor Coladonato | Victor Coladonato | 1-1/16 | 1:44.20 | $38,800 | III |
| 1977 | Important Reason | 3 | Tommy Lee | Not Found | Not Found | 1 mile | 1:42.00 | $31,800 | III |
| 1976 | Impeccable | 3 | Leroy Moyers | Not Found | Not Found | 1-1/16 | 1:45.20 | $31,800 | III |
| 1975 # | Dancing Champ | 3 | Chuck Baltazar | Bud Delp | Windfields Farm | 1-1/16 | 1:45.20 | $50,000 | III |
| 1975 # | Naturally Bold | 3 | Anthony Agnello | Judith Zouck | P. Tiano | 1-1/16 | 1:45.20 | $50,000 | III |
| 1974 # | Neapolitan Way | 3 | Herb Hinojosa | Lawrence W. Jennings | Elizabeth F. Thomas | 1 mile | 1:38.00 | $50,000 | III |
| 1974 # | Conesaba | 3 | Buck Thornburg | W. Burling Cocks | Joy Valentine | 1 mile | 1:36.80 | $50,000 | III |
| 1973 # | Roman Numerals | 3 | Vincent Bracciale | Not Found | Not Found | 1 mile | 1:40.20 | $50,000 | III |
| 1973 # | London Company | 3 | Eldon Nelson | LeRoy Jolley | Chance Hill Farm | 1 mile | 1:39.60 | $50,000 | III |
| 1972 | Dubassoff | 3 | Ron Turcotte | Thomas J. Kelly | John M. Schiff | 1 mile | 1:41.60 | $35,500 | |
| 1971 # | Lord Hussar | 3 | George Cusimano | Edward J. Yowell | Harry Frelinghuysen | 1 mile | 1:37.20 | $50,000 | |
| 1971 # | Bold Statement | 3 | William Hartack | Eddie Anspach | Frank E. Power | 1 mile | 1:38.60 | $50,000 | |
| 1970 | Needle's Noose | 3 | Eldon Nelson | Del W. Carroll | William S. Farish III | 1 mile | 1:40.60 | $38,100 | |
| 1969 # | Greengrass Greene | 3 | George Cusimano | Del W. Carroll | Michael Grace Phipps | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | $25,300 | |
| 1969 # | Spring Morn | 3 | William Passmore | Eddie Anspach | Frank E. Power | 1 mile | 1:37.80 | $25,300 | |
| 1968 # | Mara Lark | 3 | Robert Wholey Jr. | Pancho Martin | Sigmund Sommer | 1 mile | 1:37.00 | $25,300 | |
| 1968 # | Hand to Hand | 3 | Jorge Velásquez | Not Found | Not Found | 1 mile | 1:37.60 | $25,300 | |
| 1967 | Top Bid | 3 | Eldon Nelson | Edward A. Neloy | Gladys Mills Phipps | 1-1/16 | 1:44.00 | $31,800 | |
| 1966 | Exhibitionist | 3 | Heliodoro Gustines | Hirsch Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1 mile | 1:42.00 | $31,800 | |

A # signifies that the race was run in two divisions in 1985, 1981, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1969 and 1968.

