Smack Smack targeting Governor's Cup for next start

Smack Smack is set to chase after a third straight stakes win at his signature distance next month at Remington Park.

Trainer Don Von Hemel said the horse who has paired up 1 1/8-mile wins in the Grade 3 Cornhusker and the Downs at Albuquerque Handicap is being pointed to the $175,000 Governor’s Cup. The race Smack Smack won a year ago will be part of this year’s Oklahoma Derby Day card Sept. 25.

“A mile and an eighth, that’s his favorite distance,” Von Hemel said. “He can’t quite get up going a mile and a sixteenth. A mile and an eighth is just right for him.”

Von Hemel said Smack Smack was shipped to Remington following his win in last weekend’s $175,000 Downs at Albuquerque Handicap. He was the highweight and favorite in the race on the strength of his Cornhusker win at Prairie Meadows.

“I thought going down there we had a good chance to win,” Von Hemel said. “Everything went about right. Next thing [you know], he’s getting his picture made.”

Von Hemel trains Smack Smack for his breeder, the Dream Walkin’ Farms operation of country-music artist Toby Keith. The horse by Closing Argument has now won 10 of 27 starts and $851,430.

Von Hemel is now based at the Remington meet that was to open Friday night. Last year, the 82-year-old trainer went on a tear at the Oklahoma City track. Von Hemel won at a 33 percent clip, going 9 for 27 with his starters for stable earnings of $342,644.