Under the Stars, Doppelganger Break Maidens at Los Al

This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are grade/group winners, or have dams that are grade/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners in particular who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Los Alamitos

Coolmore's Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith had a new winner Dec. 11 when Under the Stars , a half sister to grade 1 winner and sire Bodemeister  , galloped to a three-length win in a six-furlong maiden test for 2-year-old fillies at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Trained by Bob Baffert, the Pioneerof the Nile filly had finished third in her Oct. 31 debut at Santa Anita Park. She then finished third again in the Nov. 13 Desi Arnaz Stakes at Del Mar prior to Saturday's victory.

With Flavien Prat, who rode her in her debut, returning to ride in Saturday's race, Under the Stars broke sharply and then settled off the pace in fifth as the first quarter-mile went in :21.98. She moved into third as a half-mile went in :44.87 and then continued to make progress around the turn while four wide. By the time the field reached the top of the stretch she had taken over the lead and began to pull away under a hand ride. The final time was 1:09.16 on a fast track.

Bred by Eaton, Under the Stars is out of the Storm Cat mare Untouched Talent , a grade 3 winner who placed in both the 2006 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) and the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G2). Aside from 2012 Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) runner-up Bodemeister, Untouched Talent is also the dam of grade 1-placed Fascinating  and stakes-placed Himiko .

Baffert had another winner at Los Alamitos a short while later Saturday when Doppelganger  drew away to a 3 1/2-length win in his debut in a six-furlong maiden test for 2-year-olds. The Into Mischief   colt won with ease under Prat, who gave a hand ride to the wire.

Out of the gate ninth and last after being bumped, Doppelganger saved ground along the inside as the first quarter-mile was timed in :22.09 and he managed to move up to second as a half-mile went in :45.36. Prat moved the colt to the outside and took over the lead, finishing up the distance in 1:09.21.

Bred by WinStar Farm, Doppelganger is out of the Quiet American mare Twice the Lady, a grade 2-placed stakes winner. The colt was purchased by SF Racing, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing, with Donato Lanni acting as agent, for $570,000 from the Woodford Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase.

Gulfstream Park

Edward Seltzer's homebred Running Legacy  made a successful debut Dec. 9 at Gulfstream Park defeating a field of eight other 2-year-old fillies going a mile and 70 yards on the Tapeta.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., the Gun Runner   filly raced in midpack under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. She was sixth at the top of the turn but moved up and split rivals coming into the stretch. She then drew away to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:43.34 on a fast track.

Running Legacy is out of the unraced A.P. Indy mare True Legacy, who also produced grade 3 winner Verdana Bold .

Fair Grounds

Larry Romero's Practice Squad , a half brother to grade 2 winner and sire Upstart  , won his third start Dec. 9 after failing to place in two other maiden claiming races on dirt. The juvenile Malibu Moon  gelding took a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight test on the turf at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots for trainer Chris Hartman.

Practice Squad's first two starts came on a wet fast track at Keeneland Oct. 28 and on a fast track at Churchill Downs Nov. 10.

In Thursday's race, jockey Orlando Mojica guided Practice Squad, who was last as a half-mile went in :49.18, wide in the turn and the pair drove past the leader, taking over the lead at the top of the stretch. Practice Squad pulled away to a 2 3/4-length victory, stopping the clock in 1:48.06 on firm turf.

Bred by Joanne Nielsen in New York, Practice Squad is out of the unraced Touch Gold mare Party Silks. She also produced stakes-placed New York Hero .