Smack Smack beats short field in Veterans

Smack Smack rallied from just off the pace for a half-length win in the $55,000 Veterans Stakes on Monday at Zia Park. Ol Winedrinker Who, the favorite, rallied for second, while it was another three lengths back to Isn’t He Clever in third.

The Veterans, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up, was the local prep for the $150,000 Zia Park Distance Championship on Nov. 25. The Veterans was run with four horses following the scratches of Forest Mouse, Rebranded, and Holiday Mischief.

Smack Smack ($4.60) settled in second Monday, tracking Isn’t He Clever through fractions of 24.73 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.38 for the half-mile, and 1:16.13 for six furlongs. Smack Smack moved to the leader into the stretch, overtook him, then held off a surging Ole Winedrinker Who.

Smack Smack covered the distance on a track rated fast in 1:45.35. Shane Laviolette was aboard for trainer Don Von Hemel.

Dream Walkin’ Farms bred and owns Smack Smack, who won his second stakes in his last three starts. He accounted for the $175,000 Governor’s Cup in August at Remington Park. Smack Smack is a 4-year-old by Closing Argument.