To view a video replay of the Long Island Handicap, click here.

by Myra Lewyn

In the final start of her career on Sunday at Aqueduct, Darley Stables’ homebred Criticism (GB) was ready to race and eager to run, so jockey Javier Castellano let her roll at the half-mile marker in the Long Island Handicap (G3) and she romped to a repeat victory in the race.

A career in the breeding shed awaits the five-year-old Machiavellian mare, who raced in France before scoring her first U.S. win by one length over J’ray in the 2008 Long Island.

The overwhelming 0.65-to-1 favorite in this year’s edition of the 1½-mile race, despite a three-race winless stretch, the bay mare tracked early pacesetter Queen of Hearts from second, grabbed a clear lead near the half-mile pole and cruised to a 2¼-length win while covering trip in 2:34.98 on yielding turf.

“We were the only speed in the race,” Castellano said. “[Queen of Hearts] broke on top, and I wanted to just lay right off of her, but my filly was feeling so good today. She wanted to run and I didn’t want to fight her. I just let her go on the lead and she really enjoyed the trip.”

Criticism entered the Long Island winless in three graded stakes since capturing the Sheepshead Bay Stakes (G2) on May 23 at Belmont Park. During the drought, she finished second at the Elmont, New York, track to Icon Project in the New York Stakes (G3) on June 20 and second to Pure Clan in the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (G1) on October 3 in her previous start.

Criticism, who won four of 12 starts in France, will now head to the breeding shed for owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. Her career record stands at nine wins, including victories earlier this year in The Very One Stakes (G3) and La Prevoyante Handicap (G2), seven seconds, and three thirds in 22 career starts and earnings of $815,367.

“Ever since she came from overseas, she just kept climbing the ladder,” trainer Tom Albertrani said prior to Sunday’s race about Criticism, who was produced by multiple graded stakes winner Innuendo (Ire), by Caerleon. “She’s had a great season and while she never won a Grade 1, she came close and we were happy to get her Grade 1-placed [in the Flower Bowl]."

Lemonette launched a strong bid at the quarter pole as she rallied from last in the six-horse field, but she could not get to Criticism and finished second, a half-length in front of third-place finisher Bubbly Jane (Brz).

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor