Trainer Don Von Hemel of Hot Springs is a member of the Nebraska Racing Hall of Fame, is credited with 2,516 victories since 1956, was Oaklawn’s leading trainer in 1981 and saddled Win Stat to set a world record for a mile and 70 yards in 1984 at Oaklawn.
But, Von Hemel, 82, has never trained a millionaire.
“I always turn them over to Donnie,” Von Hemel jokingly said about his son, Donnie K. Von Hemel. “He’s trained about seven of them.” Don’s son Kelly is also a successful trainer.
Don Von Hemel could strike that off his bucket list in 2017, possibly at Oaklawn. He trains multiple stakes winner Smack Smack, who has earned $930,430 for country music star Toby Keith, also breeder of the 5-year-old Closing Argument gelding. Von Hemel said Smack Smack could make his 2017 debut in the $125,000 Fifth Season Stakes Jan. 13.
A victory in the 1 1/16-mile race would make Smack Smack a millionaire. He is also under consideration for an allowance spot Von Hemel said.
“I’d love to see him do it here,” Von Hemel said, referring to millionaire status. “Most of mine have just been blue-collar horses, trying to fit wherever we’ve taken them.”
In addition to Smack Smack, Von Hemel’s top horses have included Mariah’s Storm (career earnings of $724,895), No Spend No Glow ($548,352), Now I Know ($461,721) and Win Stat ($438,378).
Smack Smack bankrolled $427,366 this year, highlighted by a victory in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) July 2 at Prairie Meadows. He added the $175,000 Downs At Albuquerque Handicap Aug. 6 at Albuquerque.
“He’s very sound,” Von Hemel said. “If you look back, that horse gets better in late summer, early fall, than he does around the end of spring. Some horses have a certain time of the year that they come into their own.”
Smack Smack, who has won 10 of 30 career starts, recorded a 5-furlong bullet (1:00) Dec. 23 in preparation for his 2017 debut.
From Oaklawn news release
Don, that’s wonderful for you!! So happy! Been a long time since I’ve seen you- it was in Denver, when you came into
Daines Western, where I was running their booth! This article indicates you live in Arkansas, is that true! My Justin, has trained some race horses and did well, now he has a trainer while he works! He still has his buffalo that you bought him when he was 3 or 4 and he’s 44 now!! Married and has 2 kids!
Happy New Year to you!!
Congratulations Don! It was so much fun hanging out with you and Donnie in Oklahoma City this year at the race track. Thanks for the wonderful memories. Hope we can do it again real soon. Still trying to talk my dad and mom into coming. They don’t get too far from home anymore. Would love to meet Toby Keith sometime. Hint Hint