On a typical midsummer stop to Hurstland Farm, Love Cove would casually pass her paddock mates one by one and upon being greeted seemingly block out the entire sun with her commanding profile.

The Not for Love mare's shadow cast a similar shadow over Sunday's opener at Belmont Park, scene to both her NY-bred stakes triumphs over a decade earlier. Diamond Hands, the 2yo Frosted filly out of Love Cove, graduated in her third try, and did so in very impressive fashion.

Competitive in both prior starts for Christophe Clement and impeded while making a bid in her most recent outing, it appeared only a matter of time until this Hurstland graduate exited the maiden ranks. Under slight urging from Jose Lezcano leaving the gate, Diamond Hands proceeded to lead the field throughout the mile and a sixteenth MSW on her way to a two-length victory.

Next season's prospects appear bright for the filly co-bred by Brant Laue and Godolphin, as she has already won over a route of ground and displayed versatility in her three-race campaign running both on and from off the pace.

An April 28th foal from sire Frosted's second crop, Diamond Hands originally brought $25,000 at Keeneland September, in hindsight tremendous value for the well-made filly. Her maturity between then and the following season's OBS Spring Sale was evident when she commanded a $425,000 bid on behalf of partners Robert Masiello and Steve Rocco.

As with his first ever yearling purchase Cayuga's Waters, Brant Laue would uncover another gem at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga in Love Cove, a $75,000 NY-bred Select Sale purchase. Stakes placed at ages three, four, and five, Love Cove earned just shy of $400,000 over a 29-start career, highlighted by back-to-back wins in the 2008 Ticonderoga and Shopping for Love S.

Retired to Hurstland Farm, the strapping mare quickly proved a handy mating, producing six-figure yearlings from covers to Bernardini, Flatter, Stormy Atlantic, and Tale of the Cat. Her black-type winning daughter Bibby (Stormy Atlantic) is now a broodmare in Australia.