Ali Catt, under jockey Jose Herbert, won the $1643,800 G.C.F.A Firecracker Futurity on Sunday at Gillespie County Fairgrounds.

© Jenny Barton

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

FREDERICKSBURG, TX—JULY 19, 2026—Carrillo Racing's Ali Catt delivered another polished performance Sunday afternoon, taking command early and holding off a determined late bid from El Rey de Chilitos to capture the $163,800 C.C.F.A. Firecracker Futurity at Gillespie County Fair Grounds.

The bay 2-year-old filly by third-crop sire Ali Babe Foose out of Zoom In On Me by Shazoom covered the 350 yards in 17.816 seconds, earning a 91 speed index while defeating runner-up El Rey de Chilitos by one-half length.

Chick N Hawk finished another half-length back in third, with the top three separated by a total of one length. Ali Catt earned $57,330 for the victory, improving her career record to three wins from four starts with earnings of $74,430.

Bred in Texas by Tommy and Johanna Bullard, Ali Catt races for Carrillo Racing and is trained by Abraham Carrillo. Jose R. Herbert guided the filly to victory after securing the lead immediately from the gate before maintaining a comfortable advantage through the stretch despite facing a 12 mph headwind over a fast racing surface.

Ali Catt was offered at the 2025 TQHA Yearling Sale, where she left the ring as a $12,000 RNA (reserve not attained).

El Rey de Chilitos, a sorrel double-registered gelding by Chilitos out of Sheza Fearless Fire by Tres Seis, closed swiftly in the final strides but could not reel in the winner, settling for second and earning $24,570.

Bred by Alejandro Moya, the gelding is owned by Jose Angel Gomez-Luna, trained by Martin Rodriguez, and was ridden by Raul Padilla Hernandez Jr. His runner-up finish boosted his career bankroll to $32,239 from three starts. Like the winner, El Rey de Chilitos was an RNA, failing to meet his reserve after reaching $14,000 at the 2025 TQHA Yearling Sale.

Chick N Hawk put in a determined effort after tracking the early pace but had to settle for third, another half-length behind the runner-up while collecting $16,380. The gray filly by Hawkeye out of Chicks Streakin Bye by Jet Black Patriot was bred by Tonya D. Beck, who also owns the filly. Jose Luis Sanchez III conditions Chick N Hawk, while Luis L. Vivanco had the riding assignment. Her third-place finish increased her career earnings to $28,680.

Completing the order of finish were Mr Jet Fees (4th), Ml Sr Hayden James (5th), Jmg Dashin Monday (6th), Mj Watters (7th), Muddys Everett Time (8th), Slippery Slopes (9th), and Sunday Justice (10th).

Editor's note: A photo of this race will be posted as soon as it becomes available from the track photographer.

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