Churchill Downs Stakes Recap & Quotes: the Twin Spires Turf Sprint

May 03, 2025 Kevin Kerstein

Godolphin’s homebred Think Big unleashed a powerful stretch run to overtake Boss Sully in the final yards by three-quarters of a length to win the 31st running of the $600,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Presented by Accenture (GII) for 3-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon.

Trained by Mike Stidham and ridden by Ben Curtis, Think Big completed the 5 ½ furlongs over the Matt Winn Turf Course rated as good in a stakes-record 1:02.35.

Coppola set the pace with an opening quarter-mile in :22.66 with Boss Sully chasing in second. Coming off the far turn into the stretch, Boss Sully took over and opened a daylight advantage with Think Big the only the runner mounting a challenge.

Now 4-for-4 going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf with Curtis aboard, Think Big is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Twirling Candy out of the Street Sense mare Always Thinking. It is the second Grade II victory for Think Big following the Shakertown last month at Keeneland.

Favored in the field of 10, Think Big returned $6.84, $4.10 and $3.18. Boss Sully, ridden by Luis Saez, returned $7.80 and $5.72 with Unconquerable Keen (IRE) finishing third another 1 ¼ lengths back and returning $7.44 under Umberto Rispoli.

It was another length back to Arrest Me Red with Ambivalent, Coppola, Run Carson, Rogue Lightning (IRE), Mischievous Rogue and Eamonn following in order.

TWIN SPIRES TURF SPRINT QUOTES

Ben Curtis (Jockey, Think Big, winner) — “He doesn’t have a certain style. He came from last at Fair Grounds and mid-pack at Keeneland. Before that, he was very forward. I found a lovely spot where he was into the race. He’s a fast stayer at this distance. The further we went down the straight, I thought we’d get him. It took me a little longer to get him than I thought but he got there.”

Mike Stidham (Trainer, Think Big, winner) – “No special instructions to the rider; he’s ridden him before  and knows him well. At the sixteenth pole, I didn’t think we were going to make it. I said ‘aw heck, we’re gonna be second.’ But then he dug in like a champ and got it done. Every once in a while something goes right.”