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.
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 miles on turf, since then it has been contested at various distances on both turf and dirt:
On turf: 1976, 1991–1996 miles : 1976 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 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 Speed record: (at current distance of 6 furlongs) 1:08.00 - Taylor's Special (1986)
Most wins: 2 - Taylor's Special (1986, 1987)
Most wins by a jockey: 2 - Earlie Fires (1981, 1992) 2 - Pat Day (1986, 1987) 2 - Carlos Silva (1991, 2004) 2 - James Graham (2005, 2007)
Most wins by a trainer: 2 - William I. Mott (1986, 1987)
Most wins by an owner: 2 - William F. Lucas (1986, 1987)
Winners of the Isaac Murphy Handicap Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2016Puntsville4Victor SantiagoMichele Boyce S. D. Brilie, Ltd.1:10.872015Royal Posh7Santo SanjurSteve ManleyLarry Owens1:12:80 2014Fire Tricks5Eduardo E. PerezSharon WilsonMeryl J. Squires-Cannon1:11.582013Kip Berries7Tom Swearingen Racing Stable1:10.942012Third Chance4Francisco C. TorresJames P. DiVitoMagers/Marcocchio1:10.922011Wild Hope4Tanner RiggsFrank J. KirbyGary & Beth Leverton1:12.422010Secret Kin6Jesus CastanonMichael StidhamMichael Stidham1:11.322009Nicks5James GrahamChristine JanksCarson Springs Farm1:10.622008Magnetic Miss4Carlos SilvaJoseph E. BroussardRichard Rudolph/Michael Vranich1:09.782007Modjadji5James GrahamChristine JanksArbaway Farm et al.1:10.912006Bluesbdancing4Eusebio Razo, Jr.Terrel GoreBob & Nancy Bartels1:10.262005Jaguar City5James GrahamFrank R. SpringerJaguar on the Run Stable 1:10.822004Dharma Girl5Carlos SilvaRichard HazeltonBen Barnow1:10.282003Summer Mis4 Larry Sterling, Jr.Anthony Mitchell Otto Stables Inc. 1:10.622002Come September6 Alfredo Juarez, Jr. Joseph P. McKellarL. J. Gaudreau/L. Gillen1:10.642001Rain Boots4Eduardo PerezTom DorrisDavid Halfacher1:11.202000Capitol View5Christopher EmighRonald O. GoodridgeJohn Conforti1:11.261999 no race 1998 no race 1997Miss Delovely4Curt BourqueHarvey L. VanierNancy A. Vanier1:11.261996Lady Lodger5Ron Warren, Jr.Brent SumjaT. Webber, Jr.1:41.551995 no race 1994Star Campaigner3Aaron Gryder Louis Roussel IIILouis Roussel III1:43.471993Snake Eyes3Wigberto RamosSteve MorguelanM. Isenstein1:47.271992Nijinsky's Gold3Earlie FiresG. RomeroStanton P. Powell 1:43.111991Al Bing3Carlos SilvaGene A. CilioCrown's Way Farm1:43.581990Beau Genius4Ricardo LopezGerald S. BennettBrian Davidson1:21.401989Carborundum5Jamie BruinSteven C. PenrodHermitage Farm1:25.001988 no race 1987Taylor's Special6Pat DayWilliam I. MottWilliam F. Lucas1:22.001986Taylor's Special5 Pat DayWilliam I. MottWilliam F. Lucas1:08.001985Magic North3Gerland GallitanoRickey HarrisC. & T. Tribble1:37.401984Raja Native3Carlos MarquezJames Garrard G. R. Bunn1:36.601983Le Cou Cou3Don HowardJon ArnettD. B. Clark1:37.401982Noted3Randy RomeroHerb StevensPreston W. Madden et al.1:36.401981Tri Crown3Earlie FiresB. Hickman N. Cutlich1:35.801980Earlstone3Darrell HaireJ. GuralHickory Knoll Stable1:36.801979Hold Your Tricks4 E. C. AguirreJ. JohnsonMabar Farm1:48.401978Romeo5H. Eddie ArroyoPaul T. AdwellM. L. Cashman1:52.401977Always Gallant3Eddie DelahoussayeW. SmithJoseph W. LaCroix1:35.601976Victorian Prince6Sandy Hawley Michael WhittinghamGrovetree Stable1:50.20