Goldencents’ Positano Sunset rallies to win Grade 1 Madison S.

Positano Sunset split horses in midstretch on her way to a one-length victory in Tuesday’s $650,000 Madison S. (G1) at Keeneland, giving the daughter of Goldencents her first graded stakes win.

The 5-year-old, who won the 2023 Audubon S., turned in a career-best performance in the seven-furlong Madison. She broke from the inside post in the field of seven and sat several lengths off the pace down the backstretch. She closed in on the leaders around the turn to find herself stuck behind a wall of horses turning for home. When an opening appeared about a furlong from the wire, jockey Julien Leparoux guided her through, and ultimately outran Emery to the wire.

The final time of 1:23.39 on a fast track was good for a Beyer Speed Figure of 100, her best effort to date.

“The filly matured this winter,” said trainer Ian Wilkes. “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.”

Positano Sunset is 5-4-0 in 16 starts and has earned $860,063 for owners Six Column Stables LLC, Randall L. Bloch, John Seiler, and David Hall. She was bred in Kentucky by Seiler, Bloch, Hall Trish Henson and Brad Stephens.

Positano Sunset is the third Grade 1 winner for Goldencents, joining last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan and Rodeo Drive S. (G1) winner Going to Vegas.