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TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS
Saturday's $150,000 Long Island H. (G3) over the Aqueduct turf has attracted a decent group of nine fillies and mares, including several recent imports. The leading American contenders, HOSTESS (Chester House) and J'RAY (Distant View), might have been Breeders' Cup material with more consistent seasons, but our choice is CRITICISM (GB) (Machiavellian), who will be making her second U.S. start. Criticism fared well in her local bow, rallying from behind a moderate pace to finished a half-length second to SUNSHINE FOR LIFE (Giant's Causeway) in the Athenia H. (G3) at Belmont, her first race in 10 months. That was at 1 1/16 miles, and Criticism figures to be much stronger over the Long Island's 1 1/2 miles. The Darley homebred has won up to 1 3/8 miles and consistently ran well against colts during her French campaign. We like her chances. Hostess had two signature wins this season. The first occurred against Mauralakana (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) in the Orchid H. (G3) in March, and that rival had an excellent season highlighted by a score in the Beverly D. S. (G1). The second was the Glens Falls H. (G3) two back, where she beat Dynaforce (Dynaformer), next-out winner of the Flower Bowl Invitational (G1). As well as she performed in those two races, Hostess is not a consistent visitor to the winner's circle (four-for-21) and might be a bet-against if the price dips too low. Making her U.S. debut for French master Andre Fabre is ASTROLOGIE (Fr) (Polish Precedent), who was recently fourth in the Prix de Royallieu (Fr-G2) at Longchamp on Arc weekend. She lost to a filly she had beaten previously, and was less than a length behind the multiple Group 1-placed Dar Re Mi (Singspiel [Ire]), so she appears to have some quality. She's also proven over 12 furlongs, and will be tough to beat. LA HERNANDA (Ire) (Hernando [Fr]) failed to threaten as the favorite at Woodbine in her North American debut in September, but it was her first start in more than 10 months and she might have needed the race for conditioning purposes. Though not the classiest ex-European here, we respect trainer Christophe Clement's ability and feel she can improve second off the bench. After going through some early summertime doldrums, J'ray bounced back in a big way to capture the Matchmaker S. (G3) at Monmouth Park and Canadian S. (Can-G2) at Woodbine, the latter against eventual Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) heroine Forever Together (Belong to Me). She only finished fourth in the E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) at the Toronto venue last time, but could not make up the needed ground against a filly who set a tepid, uncontested pace. J'ray ran well against Mauralakana earlier this year, and that's a good measuring stick. Sunshine For Life built up a big lead in the Athenia while setting a modest pace, and that was good enough to take her stakes debut. She would appear to be more vulnerable this time stretching out beyond 9 1/2 furlongs for the first time, though another easy lead is not out of the question. We simply prefer those with experience at the distance. MARZELLINE (Ire) (Barathea [Ire]), a minor stakes winner at Del Mar this summer, was a solid fourth in a tough renewal of the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) last out. She could perk up against this field, though her fifth in the Beverly Hills H. (G2) in June against a relatively soft group leaves something to be desired. French import SHAKE THE MOON (Ger) (Loup Solitaire) has relatively less appeal than entrymate Astrologie given her lack of group stakes form and the time she's spent running at provincial courses in France. SENTIMENTAL UNION (Dixie Union) will likely start as the longest shot on the board given she is still eligible for a first-level allowance.
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