Hadavision back at proven distance

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Trainer Mark Shuman will stretch out Hadavision for the $70,000 Mongo Queen Stakes at six furlongs for 3-year-old fillies Sunday at Monmouth Park.

Hadavision finished in a dead heat for second, losing by only a neck to Grand Obsession, in her most recent outing, the $100,000 Lady Charles Town Stakes at 4 1/2 furlongs on June 21.

"She ran very well there," Shuman said. "I think it was a little shorter than she wanted to go. The winner came three wide to nip her. She's pretty game and usually doesn't let anyone pass her. I don't think she saw the other horse coming. That wasn't her best spot. I think she'll be better going three-quarters of a mile."

Hadavision came out of the race in good shape, Shuman said, adding, "and soon as she did, we started pointing to this race."

This race marks a return to the distance at which Hadavision won the Peach Blossom Stakes at Delaware Park in mid-April.

The Peach Blossom was the first start for Shuman by the well-traveled filly. She was claimed for $30,000 from her winning debut in June 2007 at Churchill Downs and sent to Del Mar, where she got a second and a fourth in starter allowance races. She then came back East for an allowance win at Presque Isle Down in September.

That was the final race of the campaign and her owner, Elite Stables, transferred her to Shuman over the winter. He got a filly with demonstrated ability on both coasts, producing wins on dirt and synthetic tracks.

"She's all racehorse," Shuman said. "I've worked her with nice horses and she always beats them. No matter how fast or slow, she does what it takes to get there. Look at her past performances. She's there every time."

Hadavision, with Stewart Elliott aboard, faces six rivals in the competitive field.

Steve Asmussen shipped 20 horses to Monmouth on Thursday in the care of assistant Toby Sheets. The newest barn on the grounds will try to make an immediate splash in the Mongo Queen with Throbbin' Heart, the pressured pacesetter in the $200,000 Jostle Stakes at Philadelphia Park where she finished third on June 14.

Joe Bravo picks up the mount.

Reata's Quick Punch should appreciate dirt after running third as the 3-5 favorite in her synthetic-track debut in the Cozy Lace Stakes at Presque Isle Downs on June 18.

Rosie Napravnik will ride for trainer Joe Orseno.

Honest to Betsy will be looking for her first stakes win, stepping up following a second-level allowance win at Belmont Park.

Completing the field are Mikeslittlegirl, Shining Image, and Sly Storm.

New deal offers 141 Thoroughbred dates

The final draft is being prepared for a three-year contract between the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority to cover racing at Monmouth and the Meadowlands

Among the key provisions: Starting in 2008, 141 Thoroughbred racing dates each year of deal. Next year, the season would start May 2 at Monmouth and conclude Dec. 5 at the Meadowlands.

* The $60,000 Goldfinch Handicap for New Jersey-bred fillies and mares again failed to fill for Sunday and will not be rescheduled this season.