Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Tell All did not race as a freshman, but that fact did not deter him from winning both the $1.5 million North America Cup and the Little Brown Jug as a sophomore pacer.

"When he was 2, he had troubles with his feet and some other things," trainer Blair Burgess noted.  "I liked him -- even though I didn't know he was going to be this kind of horse -- and that's why I quit with him and waited for him to mature at 3."

Burgess had to be glad he did.

Tell All stormed to victory in the 24th edition of the C$1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup on Saturday night (June 16) at Mohawk Raceway in Ontario, pacing in 1:50.3.

"This makes up for a lot of close calls over the years," Burgess said. "We've come close on a number of occasions in this race, but never hit the jackpot until now. We'll definitely savor this moment for sure. I was a bit worried when he was first-over, but this horse just looked so well within himself that I was pretty sure we were a winner then."

Tell All then was a straight-heat winner in the $480,000 Little Brown Jug for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sept. 20, a Thursday afternoon at the Delaware, Ohio County Fair.

Jamieson piloted Tell All to win the $230,400 second heat with a wire-to-wire, 1:52 effort. Hot Rod Mindale, parked first-over for most of the mile, fought gamely in the lane to hold on to second, while Always A Virgin finished third. The 2-1 second choice Tell All protected the rail in the final, getting to the opening quarter in :27 with favored Always A Virgin sitting in the pocket and Won The West in third.

Tell All got a bit of a breather heading to the :56.2 half, with Hot Rod Mindale (David Miller) now beginning to apply the pressure first-over on the rim, while Always A Virgin was locked in third at the rail. The top three remained in the same positions as the pace picked up at the 1:24.4 three-quarter pole.

Heading into the final turn, Tell All remained strong, but Hot Rod Mindale continued to challenge the leader and midway down the stretch it looked like he was going to be a winner. But Tell All dug in gamely and held on for the half-length victory. Always A Virgin, who vacated the rail at the head of the lane and came charging three-wide down the stretch, could only manage to finish third.

"I didn't want to be in Brian's spot (sitting in the two hole) in the final," Jamieson said. "Dave Miller gave me a run to the wire, but I was confident at the quarter pole that I was going to win since I got away with such an easy first fraction. This horse was just incredible today. There's nothing like winning this race. Wednesday night (last night) was the hardest night of my life and I only drank water. I was so nervous about the race today.

"I was more nervous before the elimination than I was for the final. I just wanted to make the final and have a good post in it. In the final, once I got on the race track, I was pretty confident. Tell All has a great big heart -- he's bailed me out on a few first-up trips and he bailed me out today by scooting out of the gate as quickly as he did. He's so agressive and just never stops."

"It's a pretty emotional experience to win this race," trainer Burgess commented. "It's very close to my heart in the way the Hambo was (which he won with Glidemaster in 2006). I was glad to have the rail in the final because I believe that psychologically for the horse it makes a difference, than to have to try to rush out of there from the two or three hole and fight another horse for the lead.

"I've brought about ten or 12 horses to Delaware and I always thought I had a chance, so it's nice to finally win one. I was very happy with Jody's drive -- I've always had confidence in Jody. The drive today was all about rail control. He had to work for it early, but the cheap fractions really gave him an advantage. It was a very sly drive by Jody, to be sure.

"This horse's best quality is his gutsiness. He seemed to be pulling a little bit at the end, but he got a great drive from Jody. To get ready for the second heat, I iced his feet and I walked him a lot. He was blown out almost by the time we got back to the barn. He has great lung capacity, just like his father, Real Desire."

Tell All earned $234,240 for his victory in the Jug, raising his season's earnings to $1,386,747.

Tell All's Career Statistics Through Oct. 1, 2007
Year   Starts   Wins/2nds/3rds   Earnings       Record
2007    18          10      2      3         $1,386,747     3, 1:50.3H