Positano Sunset victorious in the Madison (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
Keeneland Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Six Column Stables, Randall Bloch, Jand David Hall’s Positano Sunset split horses in deep stretch and went on to post a 1-length victory over favored Emery to win the 24th running of the $650,000 Resolute Racing Madison (G1) for fillies and mares Tuesday afternoon.
Other graded stakes winners on the Toyota Blue Grass Day program were Nitrogen in the $500,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association, Think Big in the $400,000 Valvoline Global Shakertown (G2) and Extra Anejo in the $350,000 Commonwealth (G3). The day’s 11-race card, which included the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1), was rescheduled from Saturday because of severe weather and significant rainfall in Central Kentucky.
In the Resolute Racing Madison, Emery and second choice Mystic Lake dueled through early fractions of :22.68 and :45.65 as Positano Sunset used a ground-saving trip behind the leaders under Julien Leparoux.
As the field bunched up at the top of the stretch, Emery dug in along the inside with Mystic Lake, Dazzling Move and My Mane Squeeze ranging up to her outside. Nearing the sixteenth pole, Leparoux moved Positano Sunset between Emery and Mystic Lake and gradually pulled away for her first graded stakes victory.
Trained by Ian Wilkes, who two races later would send out Burnham Square to win the Toyota Blue Grass, Positano Sunset completed the 7 furlongs on the fast main track in 1:23.39.
Positano Sunset is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Goldencents out of the Consolidator mare Gigglin’ Gal. The victory was worth $397,963 and increased her earnings to $860,063.
Positano Sunset returned $30.62, $7.68 and $3.44. Emery, ridden by Flavien Prat, returned $3.12 and $2.24 and finished 1¼ lengths ahead of My Mane Squeeze, who paid $3.48 to show under Manny Franco.
It was another three-quarters of a length back to Mystic Lake with Dazzling Move and Justique following in order.
Quotes for the $650,000 Resolute Racing Madison (G1)
Julien Leparoux (winning rider of Positano Sunset): “She dug in a lot (in the last quarter-mile). We expected the two horses (Emery and Mystic Lake) to go to the front, so I was hoping to save ground and then get out. There was a little hole, and she went in there and fought back. She loves this track. She’s a nice filly. Very happy for all the connections for the win.”
Ian Wilkes (winning trainer), On the value of having faced some of the best female sprinters over the past few years: “I think it means a lot. The filly matured this winter. You know, she just turned into a different filly: working better, training better. Even as she trained good last year, she’s a different filly this year.”
Brad Cox (trainer of runner-up and beaten favorite Emery): “Love her effort and her performance. Proud of her. I feel like we won the battle but lost the war. Obviously, we’re up close and fended off some other speed and pressure. She dug in late to be second. She’s all class, very proud of her. I think there’s a Grade 1 with her name on it.
Manny Franco (rider of third-place finisher My Mane Squeeze): “I wanted to be in the clear when I made my move, and that’s what I did. I was happy with the way my filly finished up.”
