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 furlongs.
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.
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$ Grade2025Grammy Girl4Mychel Sanchez Saffie A. Joseph Jr.Morici Racing Stable LLC (Diane D. Morici)6.5 F - muddy1:18.56$60,000B/T2024Ms. Bucchero4Xavier PerezDiane D. Morici Morici Racing Stable LLC (Diane D. Morici)6.5 F - muddy1:18.53$60,000B/T2023Headland7Angel CruzGeorge R. WeaverThomas Brockley6.5 F - fast1:18.46$60,000L/R2022Swayin to and Fro3Grant WhitacreMario Serey Jr.Baxter Racing Stable6.5 F - fast1:17.59$60,000L/R2021Kaylasaurus5Horacio KaramanosTimothy C. Kreiser Bush Racing Stable & Liberty House Racing6 F - fast1:11.74$60,000L/R2020Dontletsweetfoolya3Jevian ToledoLacey GaudetFive Hellions Farm (Ned Williams & Mike Mattese)6 F - fast1:09.47$60,000L/R2019Majestic Reason4Trevor McCarthy H. Graham MotionHillwood Stable LLC & Richard L. Golden6 F - fast1:10.68$60,000B/T2018Late Night Pow Wow3Fredy PeltrocheJavier ContrerasBreeze Easy, LLC (Mike Hall & Sam Ross)6 F - sloppy1:10.53$60,000B/T2017Ms Locust Point3Jorge A. Vargas Jr.John ServisJim Reichenberg, & Cash is King LLC (Chuck Zacney)6 F - fast1:09.84$60,000B/T2016Lovable Lady5Horacio KaramanosMary E. EpplerSamuel H. Rogers Jr. Trust6 F - fast1:09.56$60,000B/T2015Lady Sabelia5Horacio KaramanosRobin L. GrahamMrs. Frank P. Wright6 F - fast1:10.17$60,000B/T2014Lady Sabelia4Horacio Karamanos Robin L. GrahamMrs. Frank P. Wright6 F - sloppy1:10.42$60,000B/T2013She's Ordained4Angel QuinonesTimothy C. KreiserRonald Ulrich6 F - fast1:10.58$60,000B/T2012Winning Image 5 Jose Caraballo Michael C. Aro Martin Scafidi6 F - fast1:11.24 $60,000L/R
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