Tell Cartel, one of the nation’s leading young sires, has sired six finalists to the AQRA Derby at Turf Paradise, including the three fastest qualifiers.

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By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

PHOENIX, AZ–APRIL 2, 2026–Tell Cartel has had Turf Paradise firmly in his grip all season, siring 11 winners in 2026, nine of them at the Phoenix oval.

The young stallion continues to reinforce his standing among the nation’s top third-year sires, currently ranking No. 2 nationally while dominating Arizona as the state’s leading sire across all three crops to race.

His impact has been especially evident in the sprints at Turf Paradise, where his runners have consistently been among the fastest on the grounds, including siring a new 330-yard track record setter.

His 2026 Turf Paradise winners include Apollitical Tell SI ($12,160) (1/8), First Down Karma SI ($16,708) (1/15), Tell Tyrus SI ($31,175) (1/31), Say Its Not So SI ($14,337) (2/10), Turn It Upp SI ($14,667) (2/16), Goodbye Tyme SI ($33,022) (2/24), Ride Em Cowboy SI ($34,374) (2/28), Tell America SI 107 ($31,233) (3/24, NTR), and Hw Tellum Sweetly SI ($33,928) (4/1).

Beyond Arizona, his influence extends nationally with Dontellmomma SI ($14,960) winning at Los Alamitos (1/31) and Eye The Cartel SI ($70,251) scoring at Remington Park (3/27).

That momentum carried directly into the AQRA Derby trials, where Tell Cartel left no doubt about his dominance. He sired all three of the fastest qualifiers and six of the ten finalists overall.

Leading the charge was Hw Tellum Sweetly SI ($33,928), who posted the fastest qualifying time of 17.805 under jockey Kiaman McGregor. The filly dueled throughout before finishing strongly in the final strides to defeat Alittlelesstalk SI ($83,219) and fellow Tell Cartel runner Block N Tell SI ($23,787) in the same heat.

Hw Tellum Sweetly is a homebred for Harold Wright, and is trained by Pedro Urias Soto. She is out of the Mr Corona Cash mare Streakns Easy.

Hw Tellum Sweetly now holds a record of 3-2-2 from 12 starts with earnings of $33,928 and is already a stakes winner, having captured last year’s AQRA Juvenile Stakes. She was also a finalist in the Desert Classic Derby earlier this season.

Alitlelesstalk SI ($83,219) secured the second-fastest qualifying time of 17.812 under Oscar Andrade Jr. The gelding was part of the early pace and dueled throughout before being outfinished late. He owns three wins and two seconds from eight starts, highlighted by victories in the Desert Classic Futurity and the Arizona QRA Futurity.

He is out of the Jesse James Jr stakes-winning mare Jess One Looke ($33,221), a full sister to stakes winners Jesse Lane ($304,123) and Zuccardi ($146,749). The family also includes champions Alice K White ($276,837) and Astica ($411,623).

Alitlelesstalk’s stablemate Block N Tell SI ($23,787) recorded the third-fastest qualifying time of 17.868 under Blake Nunnally. The gelding was involved early, encountered bumping, and continued on to secure his qualifying spot.

Block N Tell has lit the board in seven of ten starts, including a third-place finish in the Desert Classic Derby earlier this season. He was also third in last year’s AQRA Juvenile Stakes and a finalist in the Desert Classic Futurity. He is out of the Takin On The Cash stakes-winning mare Watchin The Rain.

Trainer Matt Fales saddled both of the homebred geldings, Alitlelesstalk and Block N Tell for owners Ralph and Carolyn Fales.

Following those top three times, the remaining qualifiers sired by Tell Cartel include First Down Karma SI ($16,708), a finalist earlier this season in the Desert Classic Derby, along with Nonika Cartel and Tellraiser.

The $25,000-added AQRA President’s Open Spring Derby final will be contested April 25 at Turf Paradise, where Tell Cartel’s influence will again be front and center.

Tell Cartel has sired more than $1.4 million in earners, averaging $21,100 per starter. From 66 starters, 20 percent are black-type horses, led by Show N Tell Cartel ($272,163) and Kas He Tells You ($92,840).

A two-time champion, Tell Cartel SI 105 ($796,386) is bred and owned by Martha Wells of California. He is by leading sire Favorite Cartel, whose progeny have earned more than $63 million.

Tell Cartel is the leading earner from Chicks Tell, a nine-time black-type producer and stakes winner who has produced 30 winners, including stakes winners Forrest Fire ($335,306), Chicks Fayvorite ($147,445), My Favorite Cartel ($89,454), and Tell Foose ($30,763).

Chicks Tell, by Chicks Beduino, is a full sister to stakes winners Metalico ($194,289) and Sisal Buff ($57,538). The female family traces to stakes winner and producer Tell The Boys No.

Tell Cartel stands at Fales Ranch for the 2026 season at 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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