Breeders’ Cup? Ultimate Love burnishes case in Selima win
Trainer Michael Trombetta is already thinking Breeders’ Cup after Live Oak Plantation’s homebred Ultimate Love stayed unbeaten with a powerful score in Saturday’s $125,000 Selima Stakes at Laurel Park.
“She might be a good one,” Trombetta said after watching the 2-year-old Curlin filly draw clear by four lengths under Jorge Ruiz, who swept both juvenile stakes on the card after winning the Laurel Futurity aboard Proton.
The 3-2 favorite tracked comfortably before launching a three-wide bid turning for home, reeling in pacesetter Celebrity Warrior to stop the clock in 1:43.58 for 1 1/16 miles on firm turf. Celebrity Warrior held second, with Sweet Little Lila third.

Ultimate Love paid $5.00 to win. The exacta returned $8.00 for a one-dollar wager.
Bred from the deep female family of My Typhoon, Galileo, and Sea the Stars, Ultimate Love has now won all three starts—a Colonial maiden in July, a Laurel allowance in September, and her first stakes test in the Selima. None has been much of a challenge for her, as her debut win, by three lengths, remains her closest.
Futurity winner Proton also is undefeated, now two-for-two after a one-length win. He is trained by Graham Motion.
In 2019 Selima winner Sharing shipped out west to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Is the same in store for this miss?
“Those thoughts crossed my mind as she crossed the finish line,” Trombetta said.
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