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No flak for Criticism in the Long Island The second time was the charm for Darley Stable's homebred CRITICISM (GB) (Machiavellian) in Saturday's $150,000 Long Island H. (G3) at Aqueduct. Defeated by a diminishing half-length in her American debut in last month's Athenia H. (G3) at Belmont Park, the four-year-old filly got her preferred distance of ground in the 1 1/2-mile Long Island and held off a late charge from J'ray (Distant View) for a one-length score at 4-1. Ridden by Javier Castellano, Criticism returned $10.40, $5.60 and $3.20 while topping the $67.50 exacta and $174.50 trifecta (5-7-1). The victim of a moderate pace set by Sunshine for Life (Giant's Causeway) in the 8 1/2-furlong Athenia, Criticism found herself tracking in midpack while that rival again set soft splits of :25 4/5, :51 1/5, 1:15 3/5, 1:41 and 2:06 1/5 in the Long Island. The long-term situation was different this time as Sunshine for Life was attempting a distance longer than 9 1/2 furlongs for the first time while Criticism had experience of winning up to 1 3/8 miles. Extricated from a pocket rounding the final turn, Criticism fanned three wide turning for home and finished full of run while fending off the challenge of the 5-1 J'ray and 3-2 favorite Astrologie (Fr) (Polish Precedent), who was attempting to rally up the rail. Final time over firm ground was 2:29 3/5. J'ray was 1 1/4 lengths best in second and paid $6.50 and $3.50. Astrologie brought back $2.20 and was followed under the wire by Sunshine for Life, Hostess (Chester House), Shake the Moon (Ger) (Loup Solitaire), Marzelline (Ire) (Barathea [Ire]), La Hernanda (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]) and Sentimental Union (Dixie Union). "She definitely improved off her last race. She had been off for 10 months," trainer Tom Albertrani said. "But she ran exactly the way I was hoping to see. It all worked out beautifully. We'll ship her to Florida and try to work out a schedule." Criticism was unplaced only twice in 12 starts in France, with her signature score coming in the La Coupe de Marseille. She was 10th in her final start in that country last December in her only start on Polytrack, and did not resurface until debuting for Albertrani in the Athenia, where she rallied to finish second. With the Long Island title, Criticism now boasts a 14-5-5-2 record and earnings of $295,367. Bred in England, Criticism was produced by Grade 2 winner Innuendo (Ire) (Caerleon), who is also the dam of a weanling filly by Selkirk. Criticism's second dam is Infamy (Ire) (Shirley Heights), winner of the 1988 Canadian International (Can-G1). This female family has produced Italian champion High Hawk (Ire) (Shirley Heights); French highweight and Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner In the Wings (GB) (Sadler's Wells); and English highweight and Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winner High-Rise (Ire) (High Estate [Ire]).
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