Ultimate Love to get a break before potential winter start

Trainer Mike Trombetta said that 2-year-old filly Ultimate Love came out of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in good order and will now return to her owners at Live Oak Plantation for what is expected to be a month-long winter break. Undefeated in three starts before the Breeders’ Cup, she is expected to be a bright spot in Trombetta’s stable when she returns for her 3-year-old campaign.

“She had a good showing,” Trombetta said. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t good enough to get a placing, but she ran very respectable. I’m looking forward to letting her get a little bit of a break, get her legs under her, and get her ready for next season.”

After a maiden score at Colonial Downs and a commanding allowance victory at Laurel Park, Ultimate Love turned heads in September when she made her stakes debut in the $125,000 Selima. Not only did she win the race by a widening four lengths, but she also completed the 1 1/16-mile distance nearly a second faster than Proton, who won the Laurel Futurity at the same distance earlier on the card.

Trombetta wasn’t sure what to do with the filly immediately after the race, having been caught somewhat flat-footed by her rapid improvement in three starts. He eventually decided to take the chance in the Breeders’ Cup on Oct. 31, where she vied for the lead in the stretch while sustaining several bumps before settling for fifth, just three lengths behind the victorious Balantina.

If Ultimate Love quickly recuperates from her juvenile season, she could re-enter Trombetta’s barn and race during the championship meet at Gulfstream Park before moving north in the spring or summer.

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