Twin Spires Turf Sprint: Think Big shows he belongs on grass
?q=100)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Think Big made another big statement that he is a big force in his division, getting up in time in the Grade 2, $600,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
It was the second consecutive graded stakes victory for Think Big ($6.84), who took the Grade 2 Shakertown last month at Keeneland. Godolphin’s homebred gelding has won all four of his starts on turf since trainer Michael Stidham shifted him to the surface based on some pedigree clues.
“Since he got on the grass, he hasn’t looked back,” said Ben Curtis, who has ridden Think Big regularly, including in all his turf starts. “Every race has been better than the last. He’s learning how to relax in the preliminaries, so everything’s better.”
As was the case in the Shakertown, multiple stakes winner Coppola set the early pace, quickly bouncing away from a rail post and rolling through the opening quarter in 22.66 seconds on a course officially rated good in the continual drizzle. Boss Sully, tracking intently in second, began to sidle up on the far turn, and was head to head with the leader cutting the corner for home. Meanwhile, Think Big, who had been fourth after the quarter, was rolling into third on the outside with perfect striking opportunity.
Boss Sully bounced away to lead by 1 1/2 lengths in upper stretch, but Think Big leveled into full flight. He collared the leader well inside the final sixteenth and edged clear in the final strides to win by three-quarters of a length.
“He dug in like a champ and got it done,” Stidham said.
The final time for the 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:02.35. Think Big was given a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.
After the top two it was 1 1/4 lengths to Unconquerable Keen, who rallied from seventh, in third. Millionaire Arrest Me Red and Ambivalent, neither of whom had the cleanest stretch runs, were next, followed by a fading Coppola, Run Carson, Rogue Lightning, Mischievous Rogue, and Eamonn.
The win marked the continuation of an outstanding spring in Kentucky for Curtis. Deciding to base at Keeneland, he won two stakes at the track, his first there, in April. He has now won five races at Churchill Downs this first week of the spring meet, including the Isaac Murphy Marathon on Wednesday aboard Honor Marie. He finished second in yesterday’s Kentucky Oaks.
Curtis said the development of regular mount Think Big has been a team effort.
“Getting him to relax and do things the right way has been a long process, so credit to everyone,” he said. “And he’s a gelding, so hopefully we can have a lot of fun.”
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.
