Willa On the Move Stakes
| Class | Black Type |
|---|---|
| Location | United States |
| Inaugurated | 2012 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | https://www.laurelpark.com/ |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6 1/2 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Fillies & Mares, three-years-old & up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | US$100,000 |
The Willa On the Move Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horserace run each December since 2012 at the Laurel Park racetrack near Laurel, Maryland. A race for fillies and mares age three and older, it is currently contested on dirt over a distance of 6+1⁄2 furlongs.[1]
The event was named to honor two successful female Thoroughbred racehorses that were both named Willa On the Move by their Maryland breeder, Robert L. Quinichett. The first was a foal of 1985 that raced for her breeder’s wife, Lorraine Quinichett. Trained by Leon Blusiewicz, the filly’s wins included the 1988 edition of the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes. Foaled in 1999, Quinichett’s second Willa On the Move was purchased by Marathon Farm, Inc., a racing and breeding operation owned by Peter Angelos. A successful trial lawyer, Angelos was also the majority owner of the Baltimore Orioles Major League Baseball team. Peter Angelos hired Rodney Jenkins to train Willa On the Move for whom she won the 2002 Politely Stakes. In 2003, under the care of new trainer Anthony Dutrow, Willa On the Move won the Grade 3 Honorable Miss Stakes, plus the Maryland Million Distaff Handicap and the Xtra Heat Stakes.[2]
Records
Speed record:
- 6.5 furlongs – 1:17.59 : Swayin to and Fro (2022)
- 6 Furlongs – 1:09.47 : Dontletsweetfoolya (2020)
Most wins:
- 2 - Lady Sabelia (2014, 2015)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 4 - Horacio Karamanos (2014, 2015, 2016, 2021)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 2 - Timothy C. Kreiser (2013, 2021)
- 2 - Robin L. Graham (2014, 2015)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - Mrs. Frank P. Wright (2014,2015)
- 2 - Morici Racing Stable LLC (Diane D. Morici) (2024, 2025)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Dist. (Miles) |
Time |
Win$ | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Grammy Girl | 4 | Mychel Sanchez | Saffie A. Joseph Jr. | Morici Racing Stable LLC (Diane D. Morici) | 6.5 F - muddy | 1:18.56 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2024 | Ms. Bucchero | 4 | Xavier Perez | Diane D. Morici | Morici Racing Stable LLC (Diane D. Morici) | 6.5 F - muddy | 1:18.53 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2023 | Headland | 7 | Angel Cruz | George R. Weaver | Thomas Brockley | 6.5 F - fast | 1:18.46 | $60,000 | L/R |
| 2022 | Swayin to and Fro | 3 | Grant Whitacre | Mario Serey Jr. | Baxter Racing Stable | 6.5 F - fast | 1:17.59 | $60,000 | L/R |
| 2021 | Kaylasaurus | 5 | Horacio Karamanos | Timothy C. Kreiser | Bush Racing Stable & Liberty House Racing | 6 F - fast | 1:11.74 | $60,000 | L/R |
| 2020 | Dontletsweetfoolya | 3 | Jevian Toledo | Lacey Gaudet | Five Hellions Farm (Ned Williams & Mike Mattese) | 6 F - fast | 1:09.47 | $60,000 | L/R |
| 2019 | Majestic Reason | 4 | Trevor McCarthy | H. Graham Motion | Hillwood Stable LLC & Richard L. Golden | 6 F - fast | 1:10.68 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2018 | Late Night Pow Wow | 3 | Fredy Peltroche | Javier Contreras | Breeze Easy, LLC (Mike Hall & Sam Ross) | 6 F - sloppy | 1:10.53 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2017 | Ms Locust Point | 3 | Jorge A. Vargas Jr. | John Servis | Jim Reichenberg, & Cash is King LLC (Chuck Zacney) | 6 F - fast | 1:09.84 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2016 | Lovable Lady | 5 | Horacio Karamanos | Mary E. Eppler | Samuel H. Rogers Jr. Trust | 6 F - fast | 1:09.56 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2015 | Lady Sabelia | 5 | Horacio Karamanos | Robin L. Graham | Mrs. Frank P. Wright | 6 F - fast | 1:10.17 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2014 | Lady Sabelia | 4 | Horacio Karamanos | Robin L. Graham | Mrs. Frank P. Wright | 6 F - sloppy | 1:10.42 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2013 | She's Ordained | 4 | Angel Quinones | Timothy C. Kreiser | Ronald Ulrich | 6 F - fast | 1:10.58 | $60,000 | B/T |
| 2012 | Winning Image | 5 | Jose Caraballo | Michael C. Aro | Martin Scafidi | 6 F - fast | 1:11.24 | $60,000 | L/R |
References
- ↑ "Laurel Park Stakes history (page 41)" (PDF). Laurel Park. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- ↑ "Stakes Trivia: Who Was Willa On the Move". The Racing Biz LLC. Retrieved 11 May 2026.