BY LAURIE ROSS
Into Mischief continues to dominate the sire ranks and proven representatives of his line remain in high demand. Pleasant Acres Stallions’ third-season stallion Doppelganger (Into Mischief – Twice the Lady, by Quiet American) gives Florida breeders access to that elite bloodline through a Grade 1 performer who pairs an outstanding conformation with a pedigree built for success.
AT THE RACES
Bred by WinStar Farm, Doppelganger sold for $570,000 to the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine M. Donovan, Golconda Stable and Siena Farm at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase.
Doppelganger got his name from his resemblance to the Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing-owned 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic, another eye-catching son of Into Mischief. Originally conditioned by Bob Baffert, Doppelganger captured his six-furlong maiden special weight debut by three-and-a-half lengths in a sharp 1:09.21 at Los Alamitos on December 11, 2021.
As a 3-year-old, Doppelganger rated against the speed bias and closed for second place in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and third in the Affirmed Stakes (G3).
As a 4-year-old, Doppelganger matured under the care of trainer Brittany Russell, capturing four of his six starts, including a length-and-quarter score in the Carter Handicap (G1). He retired at the end of the 2023 season with a record of five wins with a second and third in 13 career starts and a bankroll of $554,900.
PEDIGREE
“[Doppelganger’s] confirmation is lovely. He has a very strong shoulder and a lovely hip. He has a very nice eye. And he is nothing but pure class when you bring him out. He’s a gentleman in the shed,” Pleasant Acres Stallion Manager Christine Jones said.
Doppelganger’s pedigree is built around miler speed with structural stamina support, combining one of the most dominant modern sires with a distaff line rooted in classic American dirt influences.
Seven-time champion sire Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday – Leslie’s Lady, by Tricky Creek) needs no introduction as one of the most dominant modern sires in North America. He has evolved into one of the most distance-versatile sires of the modern era, producing elite sprinters, top-level milers, and multiple winners at classic distances, including three Kentucky Derby winners. With 36 sons currently standing across the continent, Into Mischief’s influence is firmly positioned to continue for generations.
The Into Mischief – Quiet American cross has yielded 12 winners from 15 starters, and broadly, the cross of Into Mischief with sons of Fappiano is golden, producing 2019 champion female sprinter and champion 3-year-old filly Covfefe, 2021 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)-winner Mandaloun, and multiple Grade 1-winning turf router Gina Romantica, to name just a few.
Doppelganger’s distaff line produces stakes winners with regularity. Interestingly, Doppelganger’s dam, Twice the Lady (Quiet American – Catherine’s Crown, by Chief’s Crown), bore five colts and no fillies.
Doppelganger’s half-siblings showcased the durability typical of this female family. Defender (Ghostzapper) made 36 starts in five years and earned $298,854. His full brother, Run Casper Run, competed for four years. He made 26 starts, earning $86,427.
Doppelganger has two younger half-siblings, the 3-year-old Excellion (by Improbable) and the 2-year-old Twin Triumph (by Munnings).
The most accomplished competitor in her immediate family, Twice the Lady won the listed Affectionately Stakes at a mile-and-a-sixteenth at Aqueduct, and placed in the Top Flight and Ruffian Handicaps, both Grade 2 events at Aqueduct. Twice the Lady was a durable competitor, in the money in 17 of 25 starts, with $312,204 in earnings.
Although Doppelganger’s second dam, Catherine’s Crown (Chief’s Crown), never raced, she was an excellent black-type producer, including:
The stakes-placed sprinter, Michelle’s Crown (by Glitterman), bore the multiple stakes-winning turf sprinter, Snakebite Kit (by Sky Classic), who compiled $269,875 in 16 starts in Louisiana.
Emmitt for Six (by Gate Dancer), dam of To Dream Again (by Regal Remark), a multiple stakes-winner and veteran of 55 starts.
Ocala Belle, a full-sister to Michelle’s Crown, is the second dam of the Florida-bred stakes winner, Savingtime (by Kantharos). She, in turn, bore a pair of stakes winners,
Outfoxed (by Valiant Minister), who captured a trio of stakes in 2022: FTBOA Florida Sire Susan’s Girl by 13 1/2 lengths, FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes My Dear Girl by nine-and-a-quarter lengths, and the Gasparilla Stakes. Outfoxed earned $497,554 in seven starts.
Time Passage (by Tunwoo) was victorious in 2023 the Miss Gracie and Cellars Shiraz Stakes, completing her career with a bankroll of $374,302 in 21 starts.
Doppelganger’s stamina-oriented third and fourth dams are black-type earners. Third dam Catherine’s Bet (by Grey Dawn II) won the 1979 Firenze Handicap (G2) at nine furlongs and placed in the mile-and-a-quarter Ladies Handicap (G1) and mile-and-a-half Long Island Handicap (G3). She also bore the Canadian Sovereign Award 1989 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Blushing Katy (by Blushing Groom (FR)).
Doppelganger’s long-winded fourth dam, Betsy be Good (by Pretendre (GB)), placed in the then ungraded 1972 Alabama Stakes and was second against the boys in the mile-and-a-quarter Lawrence Realization.
STUD CAREER
Doppelganger’s first crop are yearlings.
“His babies look just like him. And I think we’ll be off to a flying start. He’s nothing short of magnificent,” Jones said.
On the racetrack, Doppelganger was effective from six furlongs to a mile-and-a-sixteenth, while consistently showing speed and competitiveness around two turns. While he did not record a win beyond eight-and-a-half furlongs, his performances at route distances demonstrated the ability to carry speed into two turns, rather than relying solely on sprint-oriented brilliance.
From a sire perspective, Doppelganger projects as a source of sprinters and milers, with the potential to produce effective two-turn runners up to a mile-and-a-sixteenth. With mares offering additional Classic or Solid depth, the speed profile may be stretched further in select cases, although his strongest aptitude is expected to remain in the middle-distance range.
Doppelganger is standing the 2026 season for $10,000 live foal.
Return to the February 11 issue of Wire to Wire
