Aj Big Cash and jockey Francisco Calderon rally to a 1¼-length victory in the Grade 3 $149,670 Firecracker Derby on July 4 at Delta Downs.

© Hodges Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA–JULY 4, 2026–Aj Big Cash rallied strongly through the final strides to capture the Grade 3 $149,670 Firecracker Derby on Saturday night at Delta Downs, earning his first career stakes victory.

Ridden by Francisco Calderon, Aj Big Cash broke well and tracked the early pace before drawing clear late to win by 1¼ lengths. The sorrel gelding covered the 350 yards in :17.502 and earned a 99 speed index while collecting the $77,858 winner's share of the purse.

Owned by Jimmy Dean Harrel and Terry Ryan and trained by Viviane Hill, Aj Big Cash was bred in Oklahoma by Rancho El Cabresto, Inc. The $135,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate is by world champion Apollitical Jess and out of the stakes-winning Teller Cartel mare Teller Baja, winner of $464,317. His dam is a half-sister to champion Eagle Jazz ($903,649).

Aj Big Cash is also a half-brother to stakes winners Teller Ima Eagle ($190,438), winner of the Speedhorse Futurity (G3), and Grade 1 winner Fabulous Rachel ($160,480).

The victory improved his record to 13-4-3-0 and boosted his earnings to $100,917. Prior to the Firecracker Derby trials, he was coming off a finalist effort in the Old South Derby.

Syms Sin Tacha finished second under Rolando Cabrera after a game effort, stopping the clock in :17.726 for a 93 speed index.

Owned by Tony Doughtie and David Bustamante, who also trains, the gelding was bred by Carla Moody and sold for $30,000 at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale. He is by champion Dulce Sin Tacha and out of the Stoli mare Symphonic, a full sister to stakes winners Lightning Round ($109,474) and Upcomin Star ($20,625).

Syms Sin Tacha now owns a record of 11-2-3-1 with earnings of $67,576. Still seeking his first stakes victory, he has been a finalist in the Old South Derby, Firecracker Futurity (G2), and Old South Futurity.

Fastest qualifier Shiny Cowgirl closed well to finish third under Jorge Garcia, completing the distance in :17.759 and earning a 92 speed index.

Owned by Luis Armando Castellanos and Alfonso Rangel and trained by Santiago Villaseca, the Texas-bred filly was bred by Simmons Racing. The daughter of champion Tempting Dash is out of the Apollitical Blood mare Rise N Shine Cowgirl.

A finalist in last year's TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1), Shiny Cowgirl has won three of nine career starts and has earned $50,511.

Eyes So Gray finished fourth and was followed by Peacemaker Return, Ocho Rojo, Light Up The Candy, and Spotofied. Apolitical Reason Mv and Won Salty Corona were scratched.

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