Can’t Buy Love victorious in the Star Shoot June 19, 2021, at Woodbine (Michael Burns)
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— R. Larry Johnson’s Can’t Buy Love has been very consistent, hitting the board in all four of her starts this year, but inconsistent weather has left trainer Mike Trombetta with a decision to make regarding next Friday’s 5 1/2-furlong $150,000 Smart N Fancy for older fillies and mares.
“I just want to see how the weather holds up, then if it looks like a good probability she’ll get to run, she’ll run,” said Trombetta. “Hopefully, she catches a race where there’s lots of speed in there.”
The 5-year-old Twirling Candy mare ran third in the Incredible Revenge last time out on August 6 at Monmouth, going the Smart n’ Fancy distance. She rallied late and just missed, as she did in her two preceding races, when second in July’s Andy Guest at Colonial Downs and June’s Goldwood at Monmouth.
Can’t Buy Love’s last three efforts have earned Beyer Speed Figures of 85, 86, and 85, respectively. She holds a 27-5-4-6 record with $332,112 in earnings, highlighted by a stakes score in Woodbine’s Star Shoot in June 2021.
Arnold and Susan Davidov’s 3-year-old filly Captain Courtney has been Trombetta’s top earner of the year, taking the Malvern Rose last time out on July 17 at Presque Isle Downs.
“She came out of the last race and regressed a little bit on us. We made a decision to go ahead and get her stopped for the rest of the season and get a fresh horse for next year,” Trombetta said. “She’s done some traveling and some good running. Our options are somewhat limited, so we started her vacation a little early so we can have her ready for next year.”
The promising Army Mule filly will go into the layoff sporting a 4-3-0-1 record, with wins on synthetic and turf.
