Smack Smack battles for upset victory in Governor's Cup

Smack Smack changed tactics for the $175,000 Governor’s Cup on Saturday night, and the result was a 20-1 upset in Remington Park’s premier route race for older horses. Smack Smack sat closer to the pace than usual, then battled for a half-length win over Russellin. It was the biggest career victory for Smack Smack, who paid $42.60.

The Governor’s Cup was one of two stakes on the card, the second program of the young meet at Remington. Ivan Fallunovalot won the $75,000 David M. Vance Sprint for the second year in a row when he shuttled home 3 3/4 lengths in front of the runner-up Imahit.

Smack Smack entered the 1 1/8-mile Governor’s Cup off a $40,000 optional-claiming route win July 17 at Prairie Meadows. He settled in fourth off Ecleto Red, who after a less-than-ideal start bid for the lead and ended up clear by two lengths through an opening quarter in 22.92 seconds. Smack Smack continued to stalk that one through a half-mile in 47.11 seconds and six furlongs in 1:11.30.

The eventual winner moved to the lead in the stretch and fought to the wire with Russellin, covering the distance on a track rated fast in 1:49.31. Shane Laviolette was aboard Smack Smack for trainer Don Von Hemel.

“In his previous races, he’d sit back and make one big run,” Laviolette said. “Don wanted me to lay a little closer.”

The Governor’s Cup was the fourth career stakes win for Smack Smack. He earned $105,000 to lift his career bankroll to $352,264. Overall, the horse is 6 for 15. Smack Smack races for his breeder, the Dream Walkin’ Farms operation of country artist Toby Keith. He is a 4-year-old by Closing Argument, and he was bred in Kentucky.

Code West, a slight favorite over Electo Red, finished third in the Governor’s Cup, which he won in 2014.

Ivan Fallunovalot ran a big race in his first start since April, when he rallied from off the pace to win the six-furlong Vance in a sharp 1:09.01. Calvin Borel was aboard the winner for Lewis E. Matthews Jr. and trainer Tom Howard.

“He’s a nice colt, and I think he’s just getting better and better,” said Borel.

Ivan Fallunovalot ($4.60) had just two horses beat in the early stages of the Vance as Forin Sea and Flat Back dueled through an opening quarter in 21.90 seconds. Delaunay moved to the fore through a half-mile in 44.51 with Ivan Fallunovalot advancing four wide on the turn. In the stretch, the eventual winner overtook Delaunay and comfortably held off the runner-up Imahit. It was a neck back in third to Delaunay.

The Vance was Ivan Fallunovalot’s first start since he finished second to Alsvid in the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn.

“He didn’t break that sharp [and] was checking out the lights,” Borel said.

Ivan Fallunovalot now has won 10 of 18 starts and $386,910. He is a 5-year-old by Valid Expectations, and he was bred in Texas by Eileen Hartis.

Howard said Ivan Fallunovalot could advance to the $150,000 Remington Park Sprint Championship on Sept. 27.