BY AVALYN HUNTER
No stallion has dominated the top of the American sire list like Into Mischief since the days of eight-time champion sire Bold Ruler, who earned his last title in 1973.
Into Mischief has now topped the sire list six times and is still going strong. As a result, sons of his with good credentials are a hot commodity. In Pleasant Acres’ second-season stallion Doppelganger, Florida has access to this sire line through a son who ticks off the boxes of Grade 1 performance, fine conformation and a good pedigree.
Into Mischief is a six-time leader of the American juvenile sire list according to The Blood-Horse. As befitting a son of a sire known for getting swift 2-year-olds, Doppelganger broke his maiden with an eye-catching performance in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Los Alamitos on Dec. 11, 2021. After a frustrating 3-year-old season during which he was Grade 2 placed, Doppelganger hit his stride again as a 4-year-old. That year, he won four of his six starts, including a signature win in the Carter Handicap presented by NYRA Bets (G1). He retired at the end of the 2023 season having won five of 13 starts for earnings of $554,900.
Doppelganger is bred on the same cross of Into Mischief over Fappiano-line mares that produced 2019 champion female sprinter and champion 3-year-old filly Covfefe, 2021 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)-winner Mandaloun, 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1)-winner Gina Romantica, and 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Laurel River, who tied with European Horse of the Year City of Troy atop the 2024 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. He is the third winner from four named foals of racing age for Grade 2 placed-winner Twice the Lady, a daughter of the fine miler and sire Quiet American (by Fappiano) and a half-sister to stakes-placed Michelle’s Crown (by Glitterman), dam of multiple stakes-winner Snakebite Kit (by Sky Classic). Twice the Lady is also a half-sister to Emmitt for Six (by Gate Dancer), dam of multiple stakes-winner To Dream Again (by Regal Remark).
Twice the Lady, in turn, is out of the Chief’s Crown mare Catherine’s Crown, a half-sister to Group 2-winner Midnight Bet (by Housebuster) and to multiple listed stakes-winner Blushing Katy (by Blushing Groom). The dam of Catherine’s Crown, the Grey Dawn II mare Catherine’s Bet, won the 1979 Firenze Handicap (G2) and is a half-sister to multiple listed stakes-winner Mawathik (by Topsider).
A $570,000 yearling from the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase, Doppelganger got his name from his resemblance to another handsome son of Into Mischief, 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic.
“He is just gorgeous, the way he has filled out,” Pleasant Acres Director of Stallion Services, Christine Jones said. “He was well received last year and we are looking forward to further success with him.”
Doppelganger is standing the 2025 season for $10,000 live foal.
Return to the March 19 issue of Wire to Wire
