It was a third winner of the week for CATHOLIC BOY on Thursday when Thomas Aquinas won a Keeneland Maiden Special Weight.
The Ian Wilkes-trained colt was never far behind the leader in the one-mile turf race when racing second less than a length behind the leader. Pressuring that runner throughout, Thomas Aquinas briefly fell back as they turned into the stretch before making another run at the lead in the final furlongs.
The colt won by half a length with the third placed runner finishing over five lengths behind.
A homebred runner for Whitham Thoroughbreds, Thomas Aquinas has finished first or second in three of four races for $102,750 in earnings.
The colt is one of two winners out of a half-brother to three-time Grade 1 winner Fort Larned and Grade 3 winner Walkabout and the multiple Grade 1 placed Izarra. Thomas Aquinas is also a great-grandson of the 13-time Grade 1 winner Bayakoa. That mare is also the granddam of four-time Grade 1 winner Affluent and multiple stakes winner Magic Hour.
CATHOLIC BOY has sired seven winners this year from his first crop, the same amount as his stablemate DEMARCHELIER (GB).