Fast Loving Aj and jockey H. Hernandez rally late to win the $36,000 GCFA Maiden Classic Stakes on July 5 at Gillespie County Fairground.

© Gillespie County Fair

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

FREDERICKSBURG, TX–JULY 5, 2026–Fast Loving Aj delivered a strong late rally to earn his first career victory in the $36,000 GCFA Maiden Classic Stakes at Gillespie County Fairground on Sunday.

Ridden by H. Hernandez, the 4-year-old gelding broke cleanly and finished with a powerful late run to score by a neck while covering 350 yards in :17.910 and earning an 88 speed index. The victory was worth $21,600 and pushed his earnings to $38,686.

Owned by Billy Brian Holson and trained by Alvin Turner, Fast Loving Aj was bred by Mark and Fay Annett McCloy. The gelding was originally purchased for $45,000 at the Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale before being acquired by Holson for $14,000 at the 2026 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale.

The son of world champion and champion sire Apollitical Jess is out of the Walk Thru Fire mare Desperate Love, a half-sister to three-time champion Cyber Attack ($1,721,346). His second dam is AQHA Dam of Distinction Remember Me Rose.

The maiden-breaking score improved his record to 9-1-1-2.

Shesa Bernardini crossed the wire second under Edwin Ortega after setting the pace throughout much of the race before being caught late. The 5-year-old mare earned an 87 speed index while stopping the timer in :17.967.

Owned by Melinda Wheeler and trained by Francisco Rodriguez, Shesa Bernardini was bred by Katina Hermansen. The daughter of Bernardini is out of the Gros Oreille mare Miss Hollywood Perry.

She now owns a record of 18-0-3-5 with earnings of $24,182.

Black And Sassie finished third under Jose Herbert after a strong inside rally. The 3-year-old gelding races for owners Hugo Sanchez and Elias Galindo and trainer Cleto Martinez Jr.

Bred by Taft Farms LLC, Black And Sassie sold for $7,500 at the Ruidoso New Mexico Bred Sale. He is sired by Jet Black Patriot and out of a full sister to stakes winner Bigg Dee ($505,304). His female family includes AQHA Dam of Distinction Fearless Freda ($262,121) and World Champion Heza Dasha Fire ($2,240,112).

The gelding now sports a record of 9-0-2-4 with earnings of $31,220.

Iceman Watters finished fourth and was followed by Mighty Bug Reason, Luci B, Pre Mo Wagon, Mission Sin Dulce, Favorito Cartier, and Shakers Secret Jetta.

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