Aj Big Cash posted the fastest qualifying time for the $112,225 Old South Derby Final at Delta Downs and returns on May 15 as one of the top contenders in the 330-yard championship.

© Hodges Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
 

VINTON, LA–May 11, 2026—The Friday evening program at Delta Downs will feature a nine-race card packed with excitement, with all eyes focused on the eighth race of the night, the 330-yard $112,225 Old South Derby Final. The talented field of ten sophomores earned their spots through the April 24th trial heats and will return under the lights for the chance to capture one of the premier derby events of the season. The finale is scheduled to load into the gate at approximately 9:10 PM.

Trainer Viviane Hill enters the final with a powerful hand after qualifying the two fastest runners from the trials, including fastest qualifier Aj Big Cash and second-fastest qualifier Hi Octane. Jockey Rodrigo S. Vallejo piloted both runners in the trials and has elected to stay aboard Hi Octane for the championship final.

Hi Octane enters the derby off an impressive seasonal debut victory, winning his trial heat by a determined neck. The gelding arrived at Delta Downs after competing against elite company at Los Alamitos Race Course, where he concluded his juvenile campaign with a strong fourth-place effort in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, beaten only a half-length.

The consistent gelding has finished on the board in all nine career starts, collecting four victories while banking $250,859 for owner Keith Nellesen, who secured the talented runner for $60,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

Sired by Apollitical Jess out of the Valiantinecandyrocks mare Valiant Hero, Hi Octane was bred in Utah by Lance and Tammy Finlinson. Hill will saddle the gelding from post six as Vallejo looks to guide him to Old South Derby glory.

Trainer Josue Ponce also brings significant firepower into the final after qualifying three runners: Jess Telling Beau, Chilley, and Ivorys Cartel.

Among the trio, Chilley appears especially dangerous after recording the third-fastest qualifying time. The colt battled gamely throughout his trial and narrowly missed by only a neck behind fastest qualifier Aj Big Cash in one of the most competitive heats of the evening.

Friday’s final marked Chilley’s first start of his three-year-old season, and the effort suggested the colt could be sitting on a breakout performance. He has won two of seven career starts while earning $25,649 for owner Jaime Cardenas, who purchased him for $19,500 at the TQHA Yearling Sale.

The Texas-bred colt is sired by Chilitos out of the Zoom In On Me mare Shazoom and was bred by Tommy and Johanna Bullard. Ponce will send the colt from post five with jockey Jorge J. Garcia aboard.

With a deep field featuring proven graded stakes talent, rising sophomores, and razor-thin margins separating the qualifiers, the stage is set for an electric showdown in the $112,225 Old South Derby Final. Friday night at Delta Downs promises high-speed action as these ten talented three-year-olds battle for one of the biggest victories of their young careers.

The races at Horseshoe Indianapolis can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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