AJ Big Cash overcomes trouble at the start to post the fastest qualifying time in the Old South Derby trials at Delta Downs.

© Hodges Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

BOSSIER, LA–APRIL 24, 2026– Four trial races were contested Friday night at Delta Downs to determine qualifiers for the $112,225 Old South Derby final, set for May 15, with AJ Big Cash emerging as the fastest qualifier from a competitive group of sophomores.

AJ Big Cash delivered his winning effort in the opening trial, overcoming a troubled start to prevail by a neck while stopping the clock in :16.698 seconds for 330 yards, earning a 97 speed index. The gelding showed determination after being bumped at the break, finishing strongly to secure the top qualifying time of the night.

Bred by Rancho El Cabresto Inc., AJ Big Cash is owned by Jimmy Dean Harrel and Ryan Terry, trained by Viviane Hill and ridden by Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo.

A $135,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate, he is sired by leading sire Apollitical Jess, whose progeny have earned more than $83.8 million. He is out of the stakes-winning Teller Cartel mare Teller Baja ($464,317), a half-sister to champion Eagle Jazz ($903,649).

His family also includes stakes winners Teller Ima Eagle ($190,438) and Fabulous Rachel ($160,480), with second dam Baja Jazz ($156,763). AJ Big Cash now holds a record of 10-3-3-0 with earnings of $20,455.

Also trained by Viviane Hill and ridden by Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo, Hi Octane secured the second fastest qualifying time with a victory in the second trial, stopping the clock in :16.749 seconds while posting a 95 speed index.

Bred by Lance and Tammy Finlinson and owned by Keith Nellesen, the gelding is another son of Apollitical Jess and is out of the stakes-winning Valiant Hero mare Valiantinecandyrocks ($260,779), a half-sister to stakes winners Rocks Candy Shop ($176,009) and Rock Hard Candy ($123,622). The female line traces back to stakes winner Send Me The Candy ($135,976) and champions Chasing AJ ($907,069) and Jess Good Candy ($2,014,703).

Hi Octane now boasts a record of 9-4-1-4 with earnings of $250,859 and is still seeking his first stakes victory after placing third in both the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity and the Los Alamitos Juvenile Challenge.

Third fastest qualifier Chilley also emerged from the opening trial, finishing second to AJ Big Cash while stopping the clock in :16.754 seconds and earning a 95 speed index.

Bred by Tommy and Johanna Bullard, the colt is owned by Jaime Cardenas, trained by Josue Ponce and ridden by Jorge Javier Garcia. He is sired by leading sire Chilitos and out of the Shazoom mare Zoom In On Me. Chilley now has a record of 7-2-3-1 with earnings of $25,649.

View full list of qualifiers HERE.

The top qualifiers will return to Delta Downs on May 15 for the Old South Derby final, where AJ Big Cash will look to convert his fastest qualifying effort into a stakes victory.

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