Suffolk Downs: It’s Me Mom re-rallies to win O’Malley Sprint Stakes

Willie Martinez never seems to lose at Suffolk Downs. Four years after winning a Massachusetts Handicap, he returned Saturday to win the $100,000 Robert O’Malley Sprint Stakes aboard 11-1 It’s Me Mom by a nose over favored Nicole H before 10,103.

Quickly sent to the front of the six-furlong contest, It’s Me Mom lost the lead on the far turn after the fastest fractions Suffolk has seen this year. Nicole H appeared home free in the stretch, but Martinez kept charging along the inside and overcame a bump from the 6-5 favorite and jockey Taylor Hole to land her second stakes this year.
Trained by Lynne Scace for Thomas Bosch, It’s Me Mom returned $25.80 and completed the distance in 1:09.67. While judges examined the photo finish, the stewards launched an inquiry into the stretch run, then quickly ended it once It’s Me Mom's number went up. Karmageddon finished third.
Martinez rode Brass Hat to win the 2007 Massachusetts Handicap and has now won three of his four career rides at Suffolk.
On the undercard, Silk Spinner proved he is the top 3-year-old Massachusetts-bred this year by winning his second straight stakes in the $50,000 John Kirby by 5 3/4 lengths under Gerry Wales. After romping in the African Prince Stakes on Sept. 24, the 4-5 favorite is headed for a likely year-end Massachusetts-bred championship after getting 1 mile 70 yards in 1:45.53. Miscoe Gray was second, while pacesetting filly Sociano’s Legacy faded to third.