Smack Smack using Veterans as stepping-stone to Zia Park Distance Championship

Country artist Toby Keith and 82-year-old trainer Don Von Hemel are having a memorable year at the races with Smack Smack, the probable favorite Monday in the $50,000 Veterans Stakes at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M.

Smack Smack captured the signature stakes at both Prairie Meadows and the Downs at Albuquerque this summer. He fought for a half-length win in the Grade 3 Cornhusker in July, then one start later won the $175,000 Albuquerque Handicap. And the year still has some significant prizes for him to chase.

Smack Smack won the Veterans in 2015 en route to capturing last year’s $165,000 Zia Park Distance Championship. Von Hemel would like to follow the same pattern of races, and said the first step comes Monday in the 1 1/16-mile Veterans.

“This is a good spot and, of course, we’d like to get to the big one,” he said of the Distance Championship on Nov. 23.

Veterans Stakes (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Smack Smack, by Closing Argument

(Last 3 Beyers: 84-88-92)

◗ Bred by Keith, the earner of $886,430 is the most accomplished horse the owner and Von Hemel have had together. Their partnership was formed a number of years ago through Keith’s farm manager, Lynden Branch. Von Hemel said he’s one of several trainers for the operation, and he appreciates all Keith does for racing – both on and off the track.

“I think he brings a lot of younger people to the game,” Von Hemel said. “He’s in it wholeheartedly.”

◗ Smack Smack is, too, having won 10 of 28 career starts. He comes off a runner-up finish as the favorite in the $175,000 Governor’s Cup at Remington Park on Sept. 25.

“The best part of the racetrack was down on the fence, and the horse that drew the one-hole won the race,” Von Hemel said. “We were about five wide the whole time. It was just circumstances. But we ran well, came out of the race in good shape.”

◗ Chocopologie, the winner, was to run back Saturday in the Fayette at Keeneland, while Bold Conquest, who finished third in the Governor’s Cup, returned to win an allowance at Remington in his next start.

in his next start, Smack Smack drew post 2 and will be ridden by Shane Laviolette.

Co Ferment, by Afleet Express

(Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-78)

◗ He enters in peak form, having won his last four starts in a streak dating back to July.

◗ In his most recent out he won the $35,000 Arapahoe Park Classic on Aug. 13 by 5 1/4 lengths.