When jockey John Velazquez hopped off Criminologist after her victory in the Grade 3, $108,200 Beaugay Handicap Saturday at Aqueduct, he smiled at trainer Shug McGaughey and shook his head in appreciation.

“She’s a class act all the way,” said Velazquez of the 5-year-old daughter of Maria’s Mon, who made it five out of her last six starts with a half-length victory over All Is Vanity in the 1 1/16th mile turf race for fillies and mares.

Content to let All Is Vanity and Factual Contender vie for the lead in the Beaugay as they towed the field of five through moderate fractions 24.08, 48.02 and 1:11.49, Criminologist made her move on the turn, sweeping three wide to take aim on the leaders as they straightened for home. Under mild urging from Velazquez, she surged to the lead 200 yards out and hit the wire in 1:41.44 over the firm turf for her first victory in two starts this year.

“She was going easy the whole way,” said Velazquez. “She’s a very nice filly.”

The victory was the eighth in 17 starts for Criminologist, who earned $64,920 for her owners, Stuart Janney III and the Phipps Stable. Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, she returned $3.70 for a $2 win bet.

“This should set her up for the rest of the summer,” said McGaughey of Criminologist, who last year won four straight, including a pair of Grade 3 races in the Cardinal Handicap and the Athenia Handicap. “Our main objective is to win a Grade 1 with her.”

That could come on Belmont Stakes Day, June 7, in the $400,000 Just A Game at a mile on the turf for fillies and mares.

“She’s just been very consistent,” said McGaughey.

Earlier in the day, Harlem Rocker remained undefeated in three starts when he came from off the pace to upset odds-on J Be K in the Grade 3, $150,000 Withers Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on the dirt.

Harlem Rocker

Under Eibar Coa, the gray son of Macho Uno made a four-wide move straightening for home, taking the lead halfway down the stretch and drawing off to a 2 ½-length victory over the favorite. His time for the mile was 1:34.50.

“He’s still green, but he’s one of those improving horses,” said Coa. “Every time he runs, he just gets better. He’s not 100 percent yet, which is kind of scary because he can be better than this.”

J Be K, five-length winner of the Grade 3 Bay Shore in his last start, was nearly eight lengths in front of Double Or Nothing, with Face the Cat bringing up the rear. The second choice, Harlem Rocker returned $6.60 for a $2 win bet and earned $90,000. His bankroll now stands at $139,500 for Stronach Stables.

“When he puts his mind on business, he dealt with those horses fairly easily,” said Seth Benzel, who beginning Sunday will go out on his own after serving as Todd Pletcher’s assistant. “This horse has a lot of talent and ability.”