Cox sees 'something special' in Breeders' Cup winner Immersive

Godolphin’s star 2-year-old filly Immersive returned to Churchill Downs on Monday, fresh off her commanding 4 1/2-length victory in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar.

Trained by Brad Cox, Immersive is undefeated in four starts and now leads the road to the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks standings with 40 qualifying points toward the $1.5 million race at Churchill Downs on May 2.

“We saw from the start that she had something special,” Cox said. “She showed a great combination of speed and stamina early on and we brought her to Churchill because we knew she had the potential to go far. We sent her up to Saratoga this summer, which is not something we’d do unless we believed in her.

“She’s the best 2-year-old filly we’ve had at this stage. Not many fillies can claim three Grade I wins by the end of their 2-year-old season. It’s exciting to think about her potential and she’s already proven herself as one of the top fillies in her division.”

Immersive’s stellar season includes Grade 1 wins in the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland and Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. She has been guided to victory in all four starts by New York-based jockey Manny Franco and has banked more than $1.6 million in purses.

While Immersive captured headlines at Del Mar, another promising 2-year-old filly for Cox, Shadwell Stable’s Muhimma, continued her rise at Churchill Downs. Muhimma remained undefeated with a decisive 5 1/2-length win in a first-level allowance race on Friday, earning a solid 87 Brisnet Speed Rating in her second career start.