Luis Contreras and Duke of Love lays down the Law on West Virginia Derby night at Mountaineer.

 Going into the grade 3 West Virginia Governor's stakes, Duke of Love hadn't won a race since the Prince of Wales stakes at Fort Erie race track which was on September 13 of 2022.  

On Sunday August 6th, trainer Josie Carroll sent Duke of Love and jockey Luis Contreras on a trip to stop the losing streak and it paid off with an outstanding effort by the 2022 Prince of Wales stakes winner.  It was a huge race for the Duke of Love and it paid off with his highest speed figure of his career, boasting a 97 E figure.  Maybe, he likes the dirt or perhaps it was just his time, either way it was the way he did it that drew attention to the victory.

Duke of Love and Luis Contreras powers home to victory.

Duke of love broke well and sat just off the pace of Altmeister ridden by Edgar Paucar who eventually finished 10th.  Once it was time to go Luis Contreras challenged for the lead and took it away from Altmeister.  The battle wasn't over just yet because then came Surly Furious ridden by Antonio Gallardo,  he put up a fight but was eventually worn down by Duke of Love and the rest is history.

Duke of love paid W 19.00 P 8.60 S 4.60

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