Whiskey Double capped a memorable Saturday for Pheonix Thoroughbreds, winning on his debut at Churchill Downs.
Carrying the colors of Winchell Thoroughbreds, the Into Mischief colt gave his partner owners a reason to raise a glass, showing a great attitude to tough out the win.
Tracking the pace early under Ricardo Santana Junior, the Steve Asmussen inmate was never far from the lead. In a three-way go turning for home, the colt showed plenty of fight to put his head down and get his neck in front. Entering the final furlong Whiskey Double found himself in a tight battle with Medicine Tail, but he showed a little more tenacity than his rival to score the victory by half a length.
Whiskey Double’s mare is MSW Lake Sebago (Munnings) and hails from the family of Canadian champion Hollinger (Black Minnaloushe). She produced a filly by Ghostzapper last season followed by a full-sister to Whiskey Double earlier this spring.
Earlier in the day royalty bred Do You Love Me added black-type to her resume by finishing third in the Listed Fairway Stakes at Newmarket. A full sister to Group One winners Forever Together and Together Forever the Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned filly was making just her second start. Jockey Andrea Atzeni teamed up with Karl Burke as the filly finished strongly behind two very useful colts over the 1m2f trip.