by Kimberly Rinker, managing editor, Hoof Beats

Campbellville, ON — 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.

Kimberly Rinker photo

Winning driver Jody Jamieson celebrates with his daughter and father, Carl.

Piloted by Jody Jamieson for trainer Blair Burgess, the 3-year-old son of Real Desire left no doubt that he was the boss of Canada on this night.

“This horse is amazing,” Jamieson said. “He always does whatever I’ve asked him to do. Tonight he jogged all the way to the wire after I pulled the ear plugs.”

The bay colt captured his sixth win of the season in 11 tries for the My Desire Stable of Versailles, Ky.

“For me this is the top, to win this race,” Jamieson said. “There could be no bigger thrill for me at this point in my career.”

Glass Pack (Luc Ouellette) broke at the start of the race, leaving only seven contenders to vie for the richly guarded prize.

Artriverderci and Hall of Famer John Campbell led the first through the first turn, but Kenneth J (Brian Sears) then quickly took command of the race, but was overtaken by the hard-trying Yankee Skyscaper (George Brennan) to a :26.2 first quarter and the :54.3 half.

Yankee Skyscaper continued to lead the field to a 1:23.2 three-quarter marker, as the field then became double-decked, with Tell All first-over.

Around the last turn Tell All began to turn on the steam and drew away from the field, with mild urging from Jamieson. He sailed under the wire a clear winner in 1:50.3. Sutter Hanover finished second, while Watta Hotshot, at 31-1, picked up third money. Artriverderci nailed fourth and Kenneth J was fifth. Rounding out the finishers were Yankee Skyscaper (sixth), Glass Pack (seventh) and Domitian Hanover (eighth). Two Twentytwo and Reserve Forces were scratched.

“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 tonight. We’ll definitely savor this moment for sure. I was a bit worried when he was first-over, but he seemed to be pacing so comfortably, that I thought he could win it. I winced a little bit when I saw Sutter Hanover coming at us down the lane, but this horse just looked so well within himself that I was pretty sure we were a winner then.”

“He looks and acts a lot like his father but still has a long way to go to reach his status,” Burgess added. “He got his name because his dam is named Have No Secrets; that’s pretty appropriate.”