Fayette a fit for Chocopologie, both logically and emotionally

There are a number of logical reasons why Chocopologie is being penciled in for the Grade 2, $200,000 Fayette on Oct. 29 at Keeneland. And then there’s one that comes straight from the heart. “Dad won that race three times, so it’s kind of a sentimental choice for me,” said trainer Patrick Devereux Jr.

Devereux came up under his father, the late trainer Patrick Devereux Sr., who won the Fayette with Royal Harmony in 1969, 1970, and 1971.

Chocopologie put himself in the Fayette mix with a five-length win in last month’s $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park. He earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 92, defeating a deep field that included Smack Smack, the winner of the Grade 3 Cornhusker, and Mobile Bay, the winner of last year’s Super Derby. The victory, which came in his second start off a layoff, was Chocopologie’s first in a stakes.

“I thought with his lack of seasoning and those old hard knockers, I thought it was a great race,” said Devereux. “I’m so proud of him.”

The Governor’s Cup was run over the same 1 1/8-mile distance as the Fayette, and Devereux said that was one of the reasons the race fits Chocopologie. He also likes the timing for Chocopologie, who races for the Kentucky-based Preston Stables.

Colby Hernandez was aboard at Remington and would have the mount in the Fayette, said Devereux.

Chocopologie was second in last year’s Super Derby. He is based at the Evangeline Training Center in Carencro, La.

◗ Jockey David Cabrera won five races Friday night at Remington Park. He is in his first season at the Oklahoma City track. Cabrera is tied atop the standings with C.J. McMahon.

◗ Trainer Donnie Von Hemel was one win from 1,000 victories at Remington Park going into Wednesday night’s card at the track. He had two starters on that program and another on Thursday’s card. Von Hemel is the all-time winningest trainer at Remington.

◗ Wings Locked Up set a course record for five furlongs on turf at Remington on Friday night, when he covered the distance in 55.09 seconds. He lowered the previous mark, set in 2009, by 0.05 seconds.