A classic winner in his native Canada, Duke of Love carried a rich heritage southward to land his first graded stake.

The Cupid colt out of Smart Strike's Tell the Duchess showed grit when pulling out victory in Sunday's Gr3 West Va. Governor's S. The win was his first since last year's Prince of Wales S., middle leg of Canada's Triple Crown.

An $85,000 2yo purchase by My Racehorse, Duke of Love has earned just shy of $500,000. A 2yo Woodbine debut winner, the Josie Carroll trainee also placed 2nd there in the Gr3 Marine S.

Duke of Love was bred by a partnership including longtime Sam-Son Farm colleagues Dave Whitford and Tom Zweisler.

The Danehill mare Classira was acquired by Sam-Son at the 2013 Keeneland November Sale carrying Tell the Duchess. While neither she or full-sister Skipping Class raced, their wealth of pedigree hasn't taken long to reawaken.

Hailing from a family largely curated by breeder Robert Sangster, Classira is out of Alleged Devotion (Alleged), 1/2 sister to champion filly Balanchine & stakes producer. The family more recently counts major winners Sovereign & Thunder Snow.

Woodbine photo.