Mommy’s Turn takes the Suzie O’Cain (Chelsea Durand)
Christian Abdo/NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Team Hanley and Thirty Year Racing’s Mommy’s Turn utilized a ground-saving trip and a strong kick to win Wednesday’s $150,000 Suzie O’Cain, a 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for New York-bred sophomore fillies, at Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by five-time Eclipse Award-winner Chad Brown, the Mendelssohn dark bay entered from a nose second under Jose Lezcano in a 1 1/16-mile state-bred allowance versus elders on June 12 at Belmont at the Big A. There, Mommy’s Turn was keen early and nailed by victorious returning foe Trail of Gold while edging re-opposing Grace and Grit by a nose for place-honors.
Piloted once again by Lezcano on Wednesday, Mommy’s Turn topped her returning rivals and the rest of the nine-horse field when making her stakes debut in her fourth career outing. She graduated second-out going the same distance in May at Belmont at the Big A.
“She’s a challenge to train and to ride,” said Brown. “I liked where she drew inside and Jose did a great job, walked that line between not taking too much out of her, holding her in there and keeping her straight as he held her, but holding his position. A great ride and a great performance”
Mommy’s Turn briefly took back at the start as Grace and Grit broke sharply to her inside and Charlotte’s Heart and Boston’s Phinest converged to her outside. Mommy’s Turn, although appearing a bit keen once again, advanced along the rail into third position as Grace and Grit set an opening quarter-mile in 23.66 seconds on the firm turf.
“She relaxed more today. We made a change on the bit and that helped, too,” said Lezcano.
Mommy’s Turn saved ground along the rail through the first turn and down the backside while Grace and Grit was stalked by Boston’s Phinest through the half-mile in 48.19 and three-quarters in 1:13 flat.
At the top of the lane, Lezcano navigated his charge to the two-path to the inside of Boston’s Phinest with his sights set on the pacesetter. Mommy’s Turn, once in the clear, kicked on with push-button speed and she had the jump on the deep closers.
“My filly, she can do anything, she can go inside, outside. I had the chance to go outside, but I had a little space between horses, I said, ‘I’ll go for it’ and she did it,” Lezcano said.
Mommy’s Turn crossed the wire two lengths the best in a final time of 1:42.28, with the Dylan Davis-piloted Disco Star launching a late run to put her head in front of the re-rallying Boston’s Phinest for place-honors. She’s Our Tiz rallied belatedly to complete the superfecta, with Grace and Grit, Trail of Gold, Marvelous Madison, Charlotte’s Heart and Carmen’s Candy Jar rounding out the order of finish.
Blossoming Erudite, who is entered in a local state-bred optional claiming turf sprint on Friday, and main track-only entrant Kay Cup were scratched.
Brown credited a new bit with helping Lezcano control the lightly-raced Mommy’s Turn.
“We changed her bit to get a little more control. That doesn’t always work though – sometimes they’re worse with that. With her, we found a happy medium maybe,” said Brown. “I think today although she pulled a little bit, she just did make one move this time, and I think that’s why she was able to step up in class.”
Brown added that Mommy’s Turn may potentially take on stakes-level elders in the state-bred $150,000 Yaddo presented by STIHL on August 22 here.
“I think so. We skipped our conditions today just because she’s eligible – you don’t see too many straight 3-year-old New York-bred turf races, so I decided to skip the allowance race and go here,” Brown said. “I think she’s a nice horse for the future if we take care of her, too.”
Davis said Disco Star was game as she landed second in pursuit of her dual Hall of Fame-conditioner Mark Casse’s 4,000th North American win.
“She ran great. A good, honest filly,” said Davis. “I loved the way I got to the rail and worked out a trip. I brought her to the outside at the top of the lane and she gave me a good run, but that last sixteenth she just kind of leveled off a little bit and got tired. Nothing against her, that’s just not her type of race. She ran a game effort. I was definitely trying to get Mark his 4,000th and he’ll definitely get it. I’m happy with her run.”
Bred by Chester Broman and Mary R. Broman, Mommy’s Turn, a $115,000 purchase at the 2024 OBS April Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training out of the dual stakes-winning More than Ready mare Hard to Stay Notgo, is a half-sister to stakes-winner Makin My Move and stakes-placed Gotto Go Mo. Her third dam, Spunoutacontrol, is half-sister to dual Group 1-winner Minardi and multiple Grade 1-placed Tale of the Cat.
Mommy’s Turn, whose second dam Whichwaydidshego produced dual stakes-winners Mark My Way and Haul Anchor, banked $82,500 in victory while improving her record to 4-2-1-0 and returning $7 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite.
Live racing resumes Thursday at the Spa, featuring the $150,000 Rick Violette, which is slated as Race 3 on the 10-race card and is named for the late trainer and NYTHA President who spearheaded the creation of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program.
Thursday’s card will also celebrate New York Aftercare Day, which brings retired racehorses back to Saratoga for on-track demonstrations of the skills they’ve learned in their second careers. This year’s presentations, before the first and second races, will feature western riding, jumping, and a polo match. Fans can also meet a retired racehorse in the Horse Sense Stall behind the grandstand. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
