Tell Cartel sired AQRA Futurity winner Alitlelesstalk and swept the consolation with the 1-2-3 trifecta.

© Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

PHOENIX, AZ—DECEMBER 27, 2025–Tell Cartel continues to carve out his place among the nation’s top second-year sires, adding two more memorable wins on Friday at Turf Paradise.

Alitlelesstalk scored his second stakes win of the season in the $61,350 AQRA Quarter Horse Futurity, giving the young sire another headline moment on the night’s card.

The fastest qualifier from the trials, Alitlelesstalk wasn’t the betting favorite going into the 350-yard final, but he made it look simple. He broke first from the gates, took control immediately, and never relinquished, holding off post-time favorite Heart On A Run by a neck. Ridden by Luis Valenzuela, the chestnut gelding covered the distance in 17.800 seconds, clocking an 88 speed index.

Trained by Matt Fales, the win was worth $30,675 and boosted Alitlelesstalk’s earnings to $79,657 while improving his record to three wins from six starts. The Carolyn and Ralph Fales homebred is out of Jess One Looke by Jesse James Jr.

Tell Cartel’s impact didn’t stop there. Earlier on the card, his foals also swept the opener by finishing 1-2-3 in the $17,800 AQRA Futurity Consolation.

Favored to win, Hw Tellum Sweetly delivered with a late surge to score the victory over Stellaaa and Block N Tell, completing a clean Tell Cartel sweep of the trifecta

Breaking fourth from the start, Hw Tellum Sweetly picked up the pace under jockey Kiaman McGregor and edged clear late to win by a head, stopping the clock in 17.973 seconds for an 83 speed.

Trained by Pedro Urias Soto, the sorrel filly earned $10,502 for the win. She is owned and bred by Harold R. Wright and is out of Streakns Easy by Mr Corona Cash. Hw Tellum Sweetly broke her maiden earlier in November and now holds a record of 2-2-2 from nine starts with $27,802 in earnings.

Stellaaa finished a determined second, just a head behind the winner after a sustained bid towards the wire under jockey Blake Nunnally for owners Fred and Michelle Merrick and trainer Matthew M. Fales.

Bred by Ron Lyles, she is out of Gunbearer by Desirio. Stellaaa has yet to break her maiden from five starts, but she has kept solid company, including a third-place finish in the Desert Classic Futurity. She owns a record of 0-1-1 with $12,835 in earnings.

Block N Tell completed the Tell Cartel sweep in third, finishing a half-length behind Stellaaa under Luis A. Valenzuela. The sorrel gelding is out of Watchin the Rain by Takin On the Cash and is bred, owned, and trained by Matthew Fales. He has one win from six starts with $14,687 in earnings.

With qualifiers and stakes winners emerging across the nation, Tell Cartel continues to demonstrated why he remains firmly entrenched among the nation’s leading young sires—versatile, productive, and capable of siring runners z.

From two crops to race, Tell Cartel has sired nearly $1.2 million, with 10 black-type horses (18%) and nearly $20,000 in average earnings per starter. He currently ranks as Arizona’s leading sire and has consistently ranked among the nation’s top ten from both crops to race.

For more information or breeding contracts, contact Ralph & Carrie Fales at 520-723-7480 or email falesranch@gmail.com

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