Tell Cartel Continues Building Momentum With Fastest Qualifier to Texas Classic Futurity

Tell Cartel added another highlight to his 2026 sire record Friday night when JT Midlife Crisis posted another fastest qualifying time for the $1,000,000 Texas Classic Futurity (G1) at Lone Star Park.

The multiple graded stakes winner out of Wranglers Vision, by Real Visions led 10 qualifiers from 15 trials contested at 400 yards. He will return to Lone Star Park on Saturday, November 21, seeking his third graded stakes victory and first Grade 1 title in one of the richest Quarter Horse races of the fall season.

Under jockey Roman Cruz, JT Midlife Crisis broke from the inside post and established an early lead in the 14th trial. He extended his advantage through the race before finishing 2¼ lengths ahead of Ruse Man Crystal, with Revenant Mark third.

The sorrel gelding completed the distance in :19.398, earning a 101 speed index. His time topped the :19.445 posted by undefeated All American Futurity (G1) winner Cowboys Flying.

JT Midlife Crisis has compiled a nearly perfect record, winning seven of eight starts and posting the fastest or second-fastest qualifying time in each of the three futurities he has entered. He has earned $298,222, with victories in the Dash For Cash Futurity (G2) and Speedhorse Futurity (G3), along with a finalist appearance in the Easy Jet Stakes (G2).

JT Midlife Crisis leads a productive season for Tell Cartel, who is represented by 36 winners and 12 black-type performers in 2026, with progeny earnings exceeding $1.3 million.

From 89 lifetime starters, Tell Cartel has sired 21 black-type runners—nearly 24 percent of his starters. His progeny have earned more than $2.5 million, averaging $28,600 per starter. He currently ranks No. 4 among the nation’s third-crop sires by stakes winners and No. 1 among Arizona stallions by progeny earnings.

He is the sire of four runner with earnings exceeding $100,000, who have all competed this year. They include JT Midlife Crisis SI 104 ($298,222), Show N Tell Cartel SI 98 ($292,628), Point Blank Range SI 98 ($194,033) and Tell A Scout SI 98 ($123,205).

Other stakes performers include Eye The Cartel SI 98 ($98,470), Kas He Tells You SI 95 ($92,840) and Alittlelesstalk SI 95 ($88,983).

A two-time champion himself, Tell Cartel SI 105 earned $796,386 during his racing career. The son of leading sire Favorite Cartel was bred by California breeder Martha Wells, who retains ownership.

Tell Cartel is out of Chicks Tell by Chicks Beduino, whose produce record includes 30 winners and 10 black-type performers. He is a full brother to multiple stakes winners, including Chicks Fayvorite, My Favorite Cartel and Chicks Cartell, and a half-brother to stakes winners Forrest Fire and Tell Foose.

The family’s influence continues through Chicks Tell’s descendants, which have also produced multiple stakes winners.

Buyers will have an opportunity to purchase Tell Cartel offspring at the upcoming Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale, where five of his racing-age horses are cataloged.

Tell Cartel is enrolled in the new Fuego Stallion Incentive program. His 2026 foals and foals resulting from 2027 breedings will be eligible for the Azul Flight. Additional incentives include Bitterroot, AQRA, Black Gold, Beehive, Desert Classic, OQHRA, QHRAI, Speedhorse and TQHA Sires’ Cup.

Tell Cartel stands at Fales Ranch for the 2027 breeding season for a fee of $5,500. For breeding information or contracts, contact Ralph and Carrie Fales at 520-723-7480 or falesranch@gmail.com.

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