Icon Project romped in the mud, beating Criticism by 13 1/4 lengths in the $245,000 New York Stakes for fillies and mares at Belmont Park on Saturday.

The race, originally scheduled for the turf, scratched down to five runners with the surface switch.

Fourth in the early stages, Icon Project caught the front-running Criticism turning for home and glided past for her third win in nine starts.

"She was giving me a great feel all the way around there, very impressive," said jockey Jose Valdivia, Jr.

Trained by Marty Wolfson, 4-year-old ran the 1 1-8 miles in 1:49.38. She earned $150,000 for the Star Crown Stable, paying $13.20, $4.80 and $3.40. Criticism, the 7-5 favorite, returned $3.40 and $2.30. Winning Point paid $2.50 to show.

MINE THAT BIRD NOT FOR SALE

The Thoroughbred Times reports, the owners of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird have turned down an offer to buy the gelding.

Trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. would not identify the potential buyer or disclose the size of the offer but said on Friday that owners Mark Allen of Double Eagle Ranch and Leonard Blach, D.V.M., of Buena Suerte Equine did not want to sell the Birdstone gelding at this time.

"After considerable thought, Mark and Doc made the decision not to sell," Woolley said. "I'm happy. I spent 25 years looking for this horse and I sure didn't want to lose him."

Woolley said he received a call on Tuesday night saying Mine That Bird would be inspected on Wednesday. After Mine That Bird won the Derby on May 2, the owners received several purchase inquiries, but Wednesday's exam marked the first time he had been vetted.

Mine That Bird back-tracked once around the Churchill Downs main track under regular exercise rider Charlie Figueroa on Friday. Woolley plans to have Mine That Bird walk on Saturday and jog again today before resuming regular training on Monday to prepare for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G2) on August 1 at Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, West Virginia.

AROUND THE TRACK:

Ron Gierkink Daily Racing Form - Jockey Chad Beckon, who was seriously injured in a spill last Wednesday night at Woodbine, has made progress and been moved from critical care to intensive care at a Toronto hospital, according to his agent, Tony Esposito.

"He's improved 100 percent over the last 24 hours," Esposito said Saturday afternoon. "He's breathing on his own. He woke up on his own [Friday], which is very good. He's alert and awake."

Beckon's mount, Oliver's Strike, broke down in the third race, sending the rider hard to the ground. Beckon suffered cranial bleeding, a broken nose, a broken cheekbone, and two fractured vertebrae. Oliver's Strike was dead when the track veterinarian got to him.