James W. Murphy Stakes

[1] 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.

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.

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.

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