BALTIMORE – 5-17-14 –Tim E. O’Donohue Racing’s Wallyanna stalked the pace before wresting command in mid-stretch and galloping away to victory the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes for 3-year olds Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

The son of Langfuhr  ran a mile  over the ‘good’ turf in 1:39.09 under jockey Javier Castellano. The Michael Pinto-trained Wallyanna finished 4 ¾ lengths ahead of front runner Open the Bank, with Thunder Strike taking third.

Pino claimed Wallyanna for $35,000 out of his maiden win at Gulfstream Park in March.  He is two for two for his new connections, after winning a starter allowance at Keeneland prior to annexing the Murphy Stakes.

Wallyanna paid $7.80.
 

JAMES W. MURPHY STAKES QUOTES

Winning Trainer Michael Pino (Wallyanna): “He didn’t break great but it was probably perfect for him. He was super sharp and the break kept him off the lead. I claimed him and when we first got him he had a presence and acted like a good horse. I couldn’t have asked for this race to go better. He’s a young horse and is still learning.”

Winning Jockey Javier Castellano (Wallyanna): “Our goal today was to take him back a little bit, then kick it to the finish. I was able to take him back and rate behind the leaders. He sat beautiful on the backside. Turning for home, the frontrunner drifted a little bit and I had to check. We steadied and then he showed good acceleration when I asked him for run. It was very impressive the way he did it today.”

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.