by Tom Musgrave

Overlooked at odds of 23.50-to-1, Sunshine for Life led at every call and held off a game rally from Criticism (GB) to win the $110,300 Athenia Handicap (G3) by a half-length in her stakes debut on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Entering the Athenia, the chestnut Giant's Causeway filly had won two of her three prior victories in front-running fashion, and she repeated that tactic in the Athenia. Jockey Channing Hill took the four-year-old filly right to the front in the 1 1/16-mile race and Sunshine for Life led through a half-mile in :48.34 and six furlongs in 1:12.16 on firm turf.

Sunshine for Life maintained a clear lead at each point of call, but hard-charging Criticism whittled that lead down in the closing strides. Criticism, who was making her North American debut for trainer Tom Albertrani, could not get past Sunshine for Life, who finished in 1:41.55.

"I wasn't sure I was going to make the lead," Hill said. "She settled really nicely the first three jumps. I gave her a little chirp. No one wanted to go with me, so I thought, 'I'll show them the way to the finish line.' "

Criminologist, sent off as the favorite at 0.65-to-1, saved ground while rating comfortably in third, but never seriously threatened and finished third, two lengths behind Criticism.

Jane Schosberg's Sunshine for Life won her previous start, a 1 3/16-mile allowance/optional claiming race on August 22 at Saratoga Race Course, by a neck but still was the longest shot in the seven-horse Athenia field.

"One of these days, she's not going to pay $49," winning trainer Richard Schosberg said. "For her next start, the timing is good for the Long Island Handicap (G3) [on November 1 at Aqueduct]."

Sunshine for Life improved to four wins in 11 starts and boosted her earnings to $201,072 in three seasons. Bred by Buckram Oak Farm, she is out of the Exclusive Native mare Million Stories.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Tom Musgrave is internet content editor of Thoroughbred Times