Aj Fast Corona (#5) and Bid Caney (#10) dead-heat in the $56,381 Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge at Will Rogers Downs Sunday.

© Coady Photography

CLAREMORE, OK–OCTOBER 1, 2023–A late run by Big Caney caught fastest qualifier Aj Fast Corona at the wire ending with a dead-heat Sunday afternoon in the $56,381 Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge at Will Rogers Downs.

Big Caney and Aj Fast Corona raced over the 400 yard course in :19.925 seconds, equaling a 93 speed index with a 9 mph crosswind. The pair spilt the purses for first and second valued at $18,606 each.

Big Caney, a son of Painted Dash racing owner Luis Escobedo and trainer Lucio Espiritu, has won two of six career starts and earned $34,179. Bred in Kansas by Fred Kaminka, from the Take Off Jess mare Dash For Jess, Big Caney broke his maiden two races back at Fair Meadows. He did not race at 2.

The winning connections of Jt True Grit accept the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge stakes trophy.
© Coady Photography

A finalist in the Grade 1 Rainbow Oaks earlier this year, Aj Fast Corona races for owners Kim Paulsen and Tom Maher. The $90,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate, trained by Jason Olmstead, has won three of 10 starts and banked nearly $70,000. Rancho El Cabresto, Inc. bred the Apollitical Jess filly in Oklahoma from the Corona Cartel mare Fast Prize Corona.

Both horses are now slated to make their next start on Saturday, October 21 in he $125,000-est. John Deere Juvenile Challenge (G2) Championship during the Bank of America Challenge Championship Night at Lone Star Park.

The winning connections of Aj Fast Corona accept the John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge stakes trophy.
© Coady Photography

Fox News, another Tom Maher owned and Jason Olmstead trained 2-year-old, was a nose back in the blanket-finish to earn $6,638 for third. Jim Streelman and Bill Dale bred the FDD Dynasty filly in Missouri from the Mr Jess Perry mare Summer Love Song. She has earned $111,180 in 16 starts.  Edwin Escbedo had the riding call.

Free From Corona, Meet Me Out Back, One Sweet FDD, Valiant Livy and Louisianafamouseagle completed the field.

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The 2023 fall season officially began at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs September 11th and will concludes November 14th. Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is located 3 miles east of Claremore on Highway 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeecasino.com and click on the Will Rogers Downs tab, or call (918) 283-8800.