Godolphin Racing’s Music Note put on an awesome display in the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) (VIDEO) July 19 Belmont, taking over at the quarter-pole and romping to an 11-length win for her second consecutive grade I score.
A well-bred daughter of A.P. Indy--Note Musicale, by Sadler’s Wells, Music Note was in no hurry while last in a field of five through a half-mile. She began to advance under Javier Castellano midway on the turn and easily took over after a mile with a three-wide move. The 3-year-old bay filly drew off with urging and was never challenged in the stretch.
The final time for the 1 1/4 miles on the fast main track was 2:01.66. Stablemate Little Belle was second with Rajiv Maragh aboard, 6 3/4 lengths ahead of Flaming Slew.
Music Note entered the CCA Oaks off three impressive wins. The most recent was a 3 1/2-length score in the June 28 Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont where she defeated Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Proud Spell. Bred in Kentucky by Gainsborough Farm and trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Music Note won for the fourth time in five lifetime starts. She has earned $398,000.
The early pace was set by Jeff Singer’s Never Retreat, who ran a quarter in :24.19 and a half in :48.18. Flaming Slew was tracking in second. Those two were joined by Music Note at the quarter-pole, and it wasn’t long before the winner pulled away with ease.
“She has a long, beautiful stride,” Castellano said. “She sat just where I wanted her. At the quarter-pole, when I asked her, she just took off. I know it was a small field and looked impressive, but she did it the right way. She does everything the right way. I was impressed when I rode her last year. This year, she is more mature. She’s grown up.”
Suroor said: “She has really improved from her last race. She showed a different class than the rest of them. I told the jockey to keep her nice and relaxed. She looked like she was stronger than her last race. The plan is to take her to the Alabama (gr. I, Aug. 16 at Saratoga).”
A coupled entry with Little Belle, Music Note paid $2.70 to win and $2.10 to place. There was no show betting. The exacta (1-4) returned $25.20 with 20-1 Flaming Slew.
Acoma finished fourth, followed by Never Retreat.
(Chart, Equibase)
