Future bright for Southern Fiction

OCEANPORT, N.J. - The future on turf looks very bright for Southern Fiction. The 5-year-old mare remained unbeaten in two grass starts as she rallied to win the $50,000 Politely Stakes Sunday afternoon at Monmouth Park.

With Joe Bravo aboard, Southern Fiction ($9.00) swept past rivals to draw off to a two-length victory for trainer Vicki Oliver and owner G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.

She ran the mile in 1:35.25 to beat Cocktailsandreams with Caught Out third. It was the sixth win in 20 career starts for the mare who has blossomed on the grass.

"I always thought she would be better on turf," Oliver said. "When they're winning on the dirt, you don't want to change what works."

Southern Fiction settled last in the field of nine and bided her time until Bravo turned her loose at the top of the stretch.

It was a dramatic form reversal for Southern Fiction who ran a badly beaten seven on the main track in the Monmouth Beach Stakes on June 8.

"Today she just exploded," Bravo said. "Heading for home, it was all over. She just pinned her ears back and ran."

Bravo continues to ride with supreme confidence on the turf. His 8-for-13 in grass races this meet.

"He rode her super," Oliver said. "You couldn't have asked for a better ride."

As for the future, Oliver sees grass in Southern Fiction.

"I think we'll keep her on the turf and aim for the Eatontown (Grade 3, $100,000 on July 19). This was a good prep for that."

Earlier on the card, the highly regarded 3-year-old Grand Hombre remained unbeaten in two starts in winning an allowance race.

Trainer Dennis Manning is pointing the 3-year-old son of Grand Slam toward the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 3.