Doppelganger

Running a breeding shed efficiently and effectively takes a certain level of teamwork. Really, it takes a lot of the same characteristics found in any strong relationship. So it's no surprise, then, that the husband-and-wife duo of Roberto and Leticia Vera manages the shed at Pleasant Acres Stallions with such ease, proving that both professionally and personally, the best teams are built on mutual trust, understanding and sometimes, a whole lot of patience. For the past two years, Roberto and Leticia have made up the two-person team behind a roster...

Pleasant Acres Stallions has introduced a Florida-Bred Excellence Program with three financial options designed to give Florida breeders flexibility and support for the 2025 breeding season. The program's three options are: DOUBLE PLAY, LIFETIME STAY: Allows breeders to choose a preferred stallion from a selection of five standing at Pleasant Acres and then breed one or more mares in consecutive years (2025-2026) to that stallion, pay stud fees within 30 days of foals standing and nursing, register the foals with The Jockey Club, and then receive a lifetime breeding right...

Grade I winner 'TDN Rising Star' Doppelganger (Into Mischief) was represented by his first foal, a filly out of Saucy Dame (Distorted Humor), at David Perrine's Perrine Time Thoroughbreds Friday morning, announced Pleasant Acres Stallions via a press release. The filly was born 9:30 a.m. and is reportedly healthy and strong. Described as 'blessed with exceptional bloodlines' by Christine Jones, the director of stallion services, the foal is out of a winning half-sister to MSW & GSP Stormy West (Gone West) and GSW Buffum (Bernardini). Another of the dam's half-sisters,...

Pleasant Acres Stallions outside of Ocala, Florida, who welcomed to its stallion roster this year 'TDN Rising Star' Champions Dream and Mr Fisk, has released the farm's stud fee schedule, according to a Friday press release. The 220-acre farm owned by Joe Barbazon and Helen Barbazon added MGSW Mr Fisk (by Arrogate) after the homebred was retired by Sunny Brook Stables last month. The colt amassed a record of 11-5-2-0 and earnings of $369,700. Mr Fisk will stand for $8,500. GSW Champions Dream (by Justify) will take up residence alongside...

The four first-year stallions at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Florida--Verifying, Doppelganger, Simplification, and Chess Chief--as well as Bodexpress, who is new to Florida after standing three years in California, all have had multiple mares confirmed in foal to kick off their stud careers. "Since the breeding shed opened this season, we have had a very active stallion barn," said Christine Jones, the farm's director of stallion services. "We have recently received confirmation that all five of our exciting new stallions have mares in foal, so we are off to a...

Pleasant Acres Farm outside of Morriston, Florida launched its stallion division in 2013 with the vision of bringing top-class sires to the Sunshine State. Over a decade later, the operation founded by Joe and Helen Barbazon is still working toward that same goal. This year they've provided a major boost to the Florida stallion ranks with the addition of five newcomers for 2024, bringing their stallion roster up to a total count of 13 members. With his first-crop of 2-year-olds hitting the track this year, Bodexpress (Bodemeister) has relocated from...

Pleasant Acres Stallions welcomes to their roster 'TDN Rising Star' and GISW Doppelganger (Into Mischief) who will stand in 2024 for $10,000 LFSN, the Florida farm said in a release Thursday morning. "Doppleganger exudes class in every sense. He's an eye-catching individual with more natural power and strength than his namesake Authentic. Commercially, he gives breeders an excellent chance to get a proper ROI, especially with the precocious nature of the broodmare base in Florida," said Tom Ryan. A $570,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Showcase yearling, Doppelganger is out of the Quiet...

A compelling Grade I race with year-end title implications and it's not even a Saturday? Such is the magic of Saratoga. Friday's $500,000 GI Personal Ensign S. at nine furlongs has attracted older mare division leaders Nest (Curlin) and Clairiere (Curlin). Both are multiple Grade I winners with stellar records; the two will meet for the third time. Nest, last year's Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly, is the 4-5 choice after besting Clairiere in a bang-up GII Shuvee S. July 23 over track and trip. It was her first start of...

Doppelganger (Into Mischief), last seen recording a 17-1 upset over Repo Rocks (Tapiture) in the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct Apr. 8, remains on target for a rematch with that foe in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. at Belmont Park June 10. The $570,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase purchase has registered his three most recent works over the Laurel main track, including a best-of-12 five furlongs that was timed in 1:01.60 May 24. "Since the Carter, he's quite sharp," trainer Brittany Russell said. "He thinks he's a bear....

'TDN Rising Star' Doppelganger (c, 4, Into Mischief--Twice the Lady, by Quiet American) finished up full of run down the stretch to upset Saturday's GI Carter H. at the Big A. The longest shot on the board at odds of 17-1, he caboosed the field of six early and was up a spot into fifth through an opening quarter in :22.40. Under a ride on the far turn, the bay had his work cut out for him a quarter of a mile from home. Steered out and into the clear...

Riding high off an exceptional year in 2022, where she was the leading trainer at Laurel Park's fall and spring meet and tied for the lead at the Preakness Meet at Pimlico, Brittany Russell is poised for another strong showing this year. The Laurel-based conditioner got the season off to a good start two weeks ago when Prince of Jericho and L Street Lady, both by Munnings, swept the two $100,000 stakes races for 3-year-olds on Jan. 21 at Laurel. "It was really exciting to have two stakes winners in...

While the 3-year-old picture was focused primarily in New York Saturday with the GI Belmont S. and the GI Woody Stephens S., Hopper (Declaration of War) threw his hat into the ring from the other coast with a facile victory in the GIII Affirmed S. at Santa Anita. It was a short field, but the exacta horses both hailed from the Sean McCarthy barn while the trifecta was filled out by three former Bob Baffert pupils. When the stall doors flew, Hopper immediately hightailed it the front from the one...