Godolphin

Music Note (USA)

©Adam Coglianese

MUSIC NOTE (USA)

• Age: 5
• Colour: Bay
• Gender: Filly
• Sire: A P Indy (USA)
• Dam: Note Musicale (GB)

Music Note continued her rapid progress by winning the Grade One Mother Goose Stakes for three-year-old fillies at Belmont in New York on Saturday, June 28. Lining up for the just the fourth time Music Note had won both her previous two outings by more than seven lengths. Facing stiff opposition from the Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell, the Godolphin runner did not help her cause by stumbling at the start-as did Proud Spell-but soon recovered and was racing evenly behind the pace. Making a move down the outside as they entered the home stretch Music Note led with 300 yards to run and won going away by three and a half lengths, covering the nine furlong journey in a time of 1m.49.35s. Proud Spell finished second but was later demoted to third for causing interference.

Music Note continued her rise to the top with a devastating performance to win the Grade One Coaching Club American Oaks on July 19, this time over ten furlongs of Belmont’s dirt track. Only five runners went to post for this prestigious event but there was only ever going to be one winner from the top of the straight. Coming from last to first with an effortless run Music Note pulled right away from her rivals to score by 11 lengths from her Godolphin stable companion Little Belle.

Music Note’s winning run came to an end when she just failed to catch old rival Proud Spell in the Grade One Alabama Stakes over ten furlongs at Saratoga on August 16. Not suited to a slow early pace Music Note raced a bit keenly and got back in the field and had ground to make up as Proud Spell headed for home at the top of the straight. Try as she did and following an epic battle in the closing stages Music Note was still a head down as these two brave fillies crossed the line.

Music Note had little trouble finding the winner’s circle following the running of the Grade One Gazelle Stakes over nine furlongs at Belmont Park on September 13. Facing just three rivals Music Note was never off the bridle as she sauntered to an eight-length victory after taking over the lead at the top of stretch.

Music Note lost nothing in defeat when finishing third to America’s best filly Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic over nine furlongs at Santa Anita Park on October 24. Held-up in the Grade One event Music Note was in fourth position turning for home but could only stay on at one pace to finish three lengths behind the unbeaten favourite who came from last to first in the straight.

Music Note made a disappointing start to her 2009 campaign when she could manage only fifth place in the Grade One Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park on June 13. Racing in mid-field Music Note improved her position to join the leaders with three furlongs to run but she faded out of contention in the straight. It was Music Note's first run in over seven months and she is expected to improve for the run.

Music Note returned to her best form with a romping five and a quarter length victory in the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes over seven furlongs on dirt at Saratoga on August 29. Given a positive ride by Rajiv Maragh, Music Note challenged for the lead four furlongs from home and powered clear in the straight to beat the top class fillies Indian Blessing and Informed Decision in devastating style on the sloppy track.

Just over a month later, Music Note was an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Beldame Stakes over nine furlongs at Belmont Park on October 3. Settled close to the pace by Rajiv Maragh, she was second on the home turn and easily moved up to the leader in the straight to win comfortably by two and a half lengths.

Music Note, third in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic in 2008, repeated that performance when filling the same position in the 2009 renewal at Santa Anita on November 6. Prominent in the early stages Music Note lost ground on the far side but rallied with her usual determination in the straight to be beaten just three and a half lengths.

Music Note was retired to the paddocks at the end of the 2009 racing season.