Twirling Candy’s Think Big Sees Out The Mile in the Kelso

[Wandering Eyes]

When last seen at Saratoga, Godolphin's THINK BIG (g, 4, Twirling Candy–Always Thinking, by Street Sense) was struggling home a well-beaten seventh as the heavy favorite in the GI Jaipur Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on June 7. Trying a turf mile for the first time in Saturday's GIII Kelso Stakes, the homebred overcame some trouble when 'TDN Rising Star' Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo) stumbled and somehow managed not to go down three furlongs from home, then knifed through inside of favored Intellect (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) inside the final sixteenth of a mile to register a mild upset at odds of 13-2.

Settled in midpack as the stretching-out Arzak (Not This Time) was intent on making the lead from Donegal Momentum, Think Big moved up to the inside of GI Woodbine Mile hero Win For the Money (Mohaymen) to be within striking distance at the half-mile marker. Forced to take up when Donegal Momentum appeared to take a bad step midway on the turn, he was back into the bridle and still in with a chance at the head of the lane. Intellect took a gap between Arzak and Win For the Money in upper stretch and appeared on his way to victory, but he may have thought the race was won, and Think Big and Jose Ortiz flashed home underneath to take it by a length. Donegal Momentum remained on his feet and at a gallop following the incident on the turn.

Lifetime Record: 11-6-0-1. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Mike Stidham.

 

THINK BIG rallies up the rail to win the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes and get his fourth win in his last five starts. @jose93_ortiz was the winning rider for trainer Mike Stidham. pic.twitter.com/pc9PLMK2Ru

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 5, 2025

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