BALTIMORE, 05-18-13– Kenneth L. & Sarah Ramsey’s Redwood Kitten glided to the front from his outside post and never looked back on his way to victory in the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes for 3-year-olds at Pimlico Race Course.

 Joel Rosario handled the Ramsey home-bred for trainer Wesley Ward. At the finish, Redwood Kitten finished a length ahead of Shining Copper, who outfinished 2-1 post time favorite Notacatbutallama for second. Redwood Kitten, who completed the one mile distance over the firm turf in 1:35.17, paid $6.80 to win.

 The Murphy marked the first stakes victory for Redwood Kitten, who had posted third-place finishes in both the Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream and the Transylvania Stakes (G3) at Keeneland.

JAMES W. MURPHY STAKES

Wesley Ward (trainer, Redwood Kitten, winner)– “I liked how the race unfolded. He got away with an easy first quarter and then it was just a sprint home. This horse is a lot better with a little bit more spacing between his races. That’s why we didn’t run two weeks ago at Churchill in the American Turf. He has really blossomed in the last couple weeks. I’ll talk it over with the owners about his next race. I know they’re big on running at Churchill Downs so maybe there’ll be something Stephen Foster weekend.

Joel Rosario (jockey, Redwood Kitten, winner)– “I thought I would be laying second, but he broke sharp, so I let him go. I wanted to save something for the finish. Every time the other horse came to me, he went on and was all there to the end.”

Javier Castellano (jockey, Shining Copper, 2^nd)– “I had a perfect trip. In the first turn, I covered up and he handled it so well. Turning for home, I split horses and I went after the winner. Unfortunately, we were second-best. I'm very satisfied the way he did it. The trainer did a great job with the horse. He told me what to do, and it was exactly what I did.”

John Velazquez (jockey, Notacatbutallama, 3^rd) --"I was comfortable where I was. I think it was a little too much to make up and, you know, he probably needed the race, too. He hadn't run in a couple months. He ran really well."

About Pimlico Race Course

Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.

Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.