Godolphin’s Kentucky homebred Immersive took command at the head of the stretch and went on to score a 1 ¼-length victory in the 73rd running of the $600,000 Alcibiades (G1) at Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 4. The win earned Immersive a berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be run at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
Ridden by Manuel Franco, Immersive stalked the pacesetters from the three path early. While Rich City Girl and Liam in the Dust battled early, Immersive bided her time. She gained an advantage entering the lane and drew clear late. In winning the Alcibiades, Immersive covered the 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track in 1:44.64.
“We wanted to go farther with her since she won first time out,” Franco said, “and today she proved that she wanted to go the distance. She’s a grinder and today she broke running. She was traveling so comfortable. I was pleased with what I had under me. It was a matter of time. At the quarter pole, I asked her for more, and she took a little bit to get going, but she got it done. She’s a nice filly.”
Immersive living up to her promise
Undefeated in three lifetime starts and now a two-time Grade 1 winner—having captured the Spinaway S. (G1) in her previous start—Immersive is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Nyquist out of the Bernardini mare Gap Year. The $362,700 winner’s share of the Alcibiades purse increased Immersive’s earnings to $582,700.
“We thought she was very good,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “I want to start by thanking Sheikh Mohammed (owner of Godolphin) and the whole Godolphin team. She stamped herself as a very good filly from Day 1 when she arrived here at Keeneland in the spring. It’s a big win for her. She always acted like would carry her talent around two turns.”