Prairie Meadows: Smack Smack wins Juvenile Mile to stay undefeated

ALTOONA, Iowa – Smack Smack kept his undefeated record intact by rallying for a 1 3/4-length win over a game Ethical in Saturday night's $60,000 Prairie Meadows Juvenile Mile.

Smack Smack, conditioned by Don Von Hemel, who was polishing off a 12-for-32 meet, relaxed early in his typical fashion, surged up when roused entering the far turn, and stayed on well while edging clear of the John Hall-trained Ethical.

The winner of the $75,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile going 5 1/2 furlongs July 20, Smack Smack successfully stretched out to two turns Saturday, covering the mile in 1:40.00 under jockey Jake Barton. Favored in the field of six locally based colts and geldings, Smack Smack returned $3.60.

Ethical, who raced forwardly and established a clear lead when asked entering the stretch, held second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of the late-rallying longshot Dehaven in third.

Smack Smack, a Closing Argument gelding bred and owned by Toby Keith's Dream Walkin Farms, collected $36,000 while winning his third start here this season. He will head south to Remington Park when Von Hemel's string ships early next week.

Jockey David Mello, despite missing the last three days of the meet due to suspension, was the meet's leading jockey with a record 99 wins. Alex Birzer, who had a trio of wins on the closing-night card, finished second with 86 victories.

Chris Richard retained his training title with 67 wins. Maggi Moss won her 11th straight owners’ title with 33 victories.

Prairie Meadows resumes live racing Aug. 17 with the start of its 26-day Quarter Horse meet.