How to bet the Southern Hospitality Stakes

A talented group of 10 sophomore fillies will speed six furlongs at Oaklawn Park in Sunday’s $145,000 Southern Hospitality Overnight S. Conditioner Steve Asmussen has a pair of live ones in the dash, and I will put much of my focus on his duo. 

Southern Hospitality Wagers

• $12 win and place #6 Viggiedal ($24)
• $2 trifecta 6,7 with 2,4,6,7 with 2,4,6,7 ($24) 

#6 Viggiedal (4-1) will make her seasonal debut, and I like her to fire a big one off the shelf. The $350,000 juvenile purchase sure looked the part in a fine first effort at Churchill Downs in June when leading at every call en route to a five-length tally. The gray daughter of Vekoma did not build upon that score in a trio of subsequent stakes races, but the Kentucky-bred did run into some talented foes in 2024, and she is training in swift fashion in anticipation of her return. I expect the filly to come flying out of the gate and force the tempo from second to the turn for home. Erik Asmussen has the assignment. 

#7 Miss Martini (2-1) broke her maiden on the strip two back prior to registering a strong runner-up result in the Dixie Belle S. here last time out. The Curlin filly has been first or second in each of her three lifetime runs to date, and she has also improved her Brisnet Speed figure with each performance, as well. She has the gate presence to stay with the leaders early and the closing kick to mow them down in the stretch. Keith Asmussen will place the stalker in the second flight in the opening stages prior to asking her for her best turning for home. 

The Brad Cox-trained #2 Trouble In Love (5-2) has flashed good potential from a trio of lifetime tries to date and has to be given a chance, although I’m not in love with her morning-line price. The Stonestreet homebred has displayed a solid turn of foot in all three sprints leading up to Sunday, and the daughter of Munnings has posted a trio of useful morning drills of late, too. Florent Geroux will be on board asking the lass for her best run approaching the turn for home. 

Myrtlewood S. runner-up #4 Praying (9-2) picks up John Velazquez and could be the one to catch at the top of the lane. Trained by Robert Medina, she will make both her seasonal and local debuts in the contest, and she comes in with a bullet morning move. The dark bay Vekoma filly will be dangerous with a swift break from the gate.