Big win by Think Big, a grandson of the Argentine mare Qué Piensa Cat

Sporting the Godolphin silks, the Twirling Candy colt captured the G2 Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland.

Wide open, Think Big continues to make giant strides in the turf sprint division /KEENELAND

LEXINGTON, Kentucky – (Special to Turf Diario) – The start of Keeneland’s spring meet brought an early highlight for South American breeding, as Think Big, a 4-year-old gelding owned by Godolphin, earned the most significant win of his rising career with a determined score in Saturday’s GII Valvoline Global Shakertown S., contested over 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf and offering a purse of $376,563.

What makes the victory even more special is Think Big’s South American heritage—he is a maternal grandson of Qué Piensa Cat (Easing Along), the brilliant Argentine mare who captured the 2007 G1 Gran Premio Eliseo Ramírez at San Isidro in record time. Repatriated in recent years by Haras Vacación, Qué Piensa Cat is now part of its broodmare band and produced a filly by Satono Flag (Deep Impact) last season, named Química Ideal.

Ridden confidently by Ben Curtis for trainer Michael Stidham, Think Big prevailed by a half-length over Irish raider Rogue Lightning (Kodiac) in a final time of 1:04.21, with Eamonn (Pioneerof the Nile) another 2 1/2 lengths back in third.

Out of Always Thinking (Street Sense), herself the best runner produced to date by Qué Piensa Cat—a stakes winner in the Sensible Lady Turf Dash S. at Laurel Park—Think Big boasts a rich pedigree with added South American flair. His second dam has also produced current stakes-placed runner The Goat (Fortify), campaigned by Stud El Basti, and Que Chulo (Bernardini), who placed during his racing career before going on to produce Sharp Aza Tack(Sharp Azteca), winner of the Tyro S. at Monmouth Park.

Think Big, who shares the Colonial Downs turf course record at 7 furlongs (1:20.87), now owns 4 wins from 8 startsand career earnings of $232,500.

“This is amazing,” said Curtis after the win. “I really have to pinch myself. Last year, we were a bit hesitant to come because of how tough Keeneland can be. I hate sitting in the jocks’ room watching others ride, so we worked really hard all of last year with this meet in mind, and now to see that effort pay off is just fantastic. My agent Ron Faucheux has done a great job, and I’m really enjoying this.”

“I’ve known Think Big for a while now and have been aboard for several of his works. I first rode him at Colonial Downs when he won in July, and he was dominant that day. I rode him again at Fair Grounds in December, and the cutback in trip and switch to turf really brought out the best in him. He just kept improving. Last time, he came from far back and rallied wide; today, he was closer to the pace and finished strongly. He’s versatile in both distance and surface. Really, just a dream horse.”