On November 1, 2008, making just her second start in the United States, Darley Stable’s Criticism (GB) won the Grade 3, $150,000 Long Island Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack, the first of five graded stakes she would go on to win in this country. Exactly one year later, it was déjà vu at Aqueduct Racetrack Sunday afternoon as the 5-year-old Machiavellian mare won the 53rd running of the Long Island in the final start of her accomplished career.

After following early pacesetter Queen of Hearts through a quarter mile in 25.88, jockey Javier Castellano allowed Criticism to take over the lead at the half mile marker and the mare maintained a comfortable lead for the remainder of the race to cross the wire 2¼ lengths in front of runner-up Lemonette.

“I wanted to just lay right off of [Queen of Hearts], but my filly was feeling so good today,” Castellano said. “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. The pace was very slow and that’s why she won today. She had given me a good run the whole race and turning for home I wanted to be patient, and make the job a little easier.”

Criticism’s final time for the 1½-mile race was 2:34.98 over yielding turf.

“I was very pleased with her race today,” said trainer Tom Albertrani. “I was glad Javier got her to settle off the bridle – it looked like she was maybe on the bit too much the first three-eighths or so, and then when he made the lead with her it looked like he was able to really start controlling the race and he had plenty left.”

Criticism will now be retired to the breeding shed for owner Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum. Her lifetime record will stand at 9-7-3 from 22 starts with career earnings of $815,367, including $90,000 for Sunday’s victory.

The overwhelming favorite in the field of six, Criticism returned $3.30 for a $2 win bet to her backers in the crowd of 2,933.

Bubbly Jane (BRZ) was a half-length behind Lemonette for third, and Dance Pass, Borrowing Base and Queen of Hearts completed the order of finish. Tidal Dance was scratched.