The Isaac Murphy Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in late June at Arlington Park racetrack in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. The race is run on Polytrack synthetic dirt and is open to fillies and mares, age three and older who were bred in the State of Illinois.

Isaac Murphy Handicap
Restricted race
LocationArlington Park
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Inaugurated1976
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.arlingtonpark.com
Race information
Distance6 furlong sprint
SurfacePolytrack
Trackleft-handed
QualificationFillies & Mares, three-years-old & up
(Bred in the State of Illinois)
WeightHandicap
Purse$54,500 (2016)

The race is named in honor of Isaac Burns Murphy, a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame jockey whom the Hall says "is considered one of the greatest race riders in American history." Isaac Murphy raced in Chicago and won the city's then very prestigious American Derby on four occasions.

The race was run as the Isaac Murphy Memorial Handicap from its inception in 1976 through 1980. Inaugurated at a distance of 1+18 miles on turf, since then it has been contested at various distances on both turf and dirt:

On turf: 1976, 1991–1996

  • 1+18 miles : 1976
  • 1+116 miles: 1991-1996

On dirt: 1977, 1980–1990, 1997 to present

  • 6 furlongs : 1986, 1997 to present
  • 7 furlongs : 1987-1990
  • 1 mile : 1977, 1980–85
  • 1+18 miles : 1978-79

The race was restricted to three-year-old horses from 1980 through 1985 and again between 1991 and 1994. For 1983 only, it was limited to colts and geldings only. There were no state-bred restrictions prior to 1980 nor during the period from 1986 through 1996.

There was no running of the Isaac Murphy Handicap in 1988, 1995, 1998 and 1999.

Records

edit

Speed record: (at current distance of 6 furlongs)

Most wins:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners of the Isaac Murphy Handicap

edit
Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
2016 Puntsville 4 Victor Santiago Michele Boyce S. D. Brilie, Ltd. 1:10.87
2015 Royal Posh 7 Santo Sanjur Steve Manley Larry Owens 1:12:80
2014 Fire Tricks 5 Eduardo E. Perez Sharon Wilson Meryl J. Squires-Cannon 1:11.58
2013 Kip Berries 7 Tom Swearingen Racing Stable 1:10.94
2012 Third Chance 4 Francisco C. Torres James P. DiVito Magers/Marcocchio 1:10.92
2011 Wild Hope 4 Tanner Riggs Frank J. Kirby Gary & Beth Leverton 1:12.42
2010 Secret Kin 6 Jesus Castanon Michael Stidham Michael Stidham 1:11.32
2009 Nicks 5 James Graham Christine Janks Carson Springs Farm 1:10.62
2008 Magnetic Miss 4 Carlos Silva Joseph E. Broussard Richard Rudolph/Michael Vranich 1:09.78
2007 Modjadji 5 James Graham Christine Janks Arbaway Farm et al. 1:10.91
2006 Bluesbdancing 4 Eusebio Razo, Jr. Terrel Gore Bob & Nancy Bartels 1:10.26
2005 Jaguar City 5 James Graham Frank R. Springer Jaguar on the Run Stable 1:10.82
2004 Dharma Girl 5 Carlos Silva Richard Hazelton Ben Barnow 1:10.28
2003 Summer Mis 4 Larry Sterling, Jr. Anthony Mitchell Otto Stables Inc. 1:10.62
2002 Come September 6 Alfredo Juarez, Jr. Joseph P. McKellar L. J. Gaudreau/L. Gillen 1:10.64
2001 Rain Boots 4 Eduardo Perez Tom Dorris David Halfacher 1:11.20
2000 Capitol View 5 Christopher Emigh Ronald O. Goodridge John Conforti 1:11.26
1999 no race
1998 no race
1997 Miss Delovely 4 Curt Bourque Harvey L. Vanier Nancy A. Vanier 1:11.26
1996 Lady Lodger 5 Ron Warren, Jr. Brent Sumja T. Webber, Jr. 1:41.55
1995 no race
1994 Star Campaigner 3 Aaron Gryder Louis Roussel III Louis Roussel III 1:43.47
1993 Snake Eyes 3 Wigberto Ramos Steve Morguelan M. Isenstein 1:47.27
1992 Nijinsky's Gold 3 Earlie Fires G. Romero Stanton P. Powell 1:43.11
1991 Al Bing 3 Carlos Silva Gene A. Cilio Crown's Way Farm 1:43.58
1990 Beau Genius 4 Ricardo Lopez Gerald S. Bennett Brian Davidson 1:21.40
1989 Carborundum 5 Jamie Bruin Steven C. Penrod Hermitage Farm 1:25.00
1988 no race
1987 Taylor's Special 6 Pat Day William I. Mott William F. Lucas 1:22.00
1986 Taylor's Special 5 Pat Day William I. Mott William F. Lucas 1:08.00
1985 Magic North 3 Gerland Gallitano Rickey Harris C. & T. Tribble 1:37.40
1984 Raja Native 3 Carlos Marquez James Garrard G. R. Bunn 1:36.60
1983 Le Cou Cou 3 Don Howard Jon Arnett D. B. Clark 1:37.40
1982 Noted 3 Randy Romero Herb Stevens Preston W. Madden et al. 1:36.40
1981 Tri Crown 3 Earlie Fires B. Hickman N. Cutlich 1:35.80
1980 Earlstone 3 Darrell Haire J. Gural Hickory Knoll Stable 1:36.80
1979 Hold Your Tricks 4 E. C. Aguirre J. Johnson Mabar Farm 1:48.40
1978 Romeo 5 H. Eddie Arroyo Paul T. Adwell M. L. Cashman 1:52.40
1977 Always Gallant 3 Eddie Delahoussaye W. Smith Joseph W. LaCroix 1:35.60
1976 Victorian Prince 6 Sandy Hawley Michael Whittingham Grovetree Stable 1:50.20