Snow Face Princess (Midshipman–Crusin Alone, by Honor Code) timed her run in the Bolton Landing Stakes to perfection as she nailed 'TDN Rising Star' Cy Fair (Not This Time) right on the money.
The eye-catching blaze-faced filly came into this race with a fourth-place effort on debut May 23 at the Belmont Big A meet, and a two-length graduation last out July 30 over this course when she tried turf for the first time.
Off as a 6-1 shot here, Snow Face Princess broke inwardly but recovered well to chase the leading flight from fourth as Cy Fair and My Sweetheart (Flameaway) vied for the lead through an opening sectional in :22.31. The 3-5 favorite took control around the far turn, but Snow Face Princess was the looming danger as they swung into the lane. Closing the gap relentlessly, she produced a late burst of speed that carried her over the top. She nailed the 'Rising Star' in the final jumps to win by a neck and earn her first black-type.
“We felt like she was doing really well, she looked awesome, and her condition looked great–her coat is awesome, looked really good,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “So you know, you are just stepping up in class against some really fast fillies and the one thing we thought we had going for us is that she could sit a nice stalking trip and Flavien [Prat] worked out a really good trip.”
When asked about a potential start in the GIII Matron Stakes Oct. 2 at the Belmont Big A meet, Pletcher said, “That's a good possibility, I would say. I have to look at the whole calendar and see what's all out there. Keep all of our options open.”
SNOW FACE PRINCESS wins the Bolton Landing Stakes at 6-1 under Flavien Prat for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/PgcFESGEGM
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 17, 2025
The victress is the second successful offspring from as many to the races for Crusin Alone. She has a yearling half-sister by Classic Empire and a 2025 half-sister by Mystic Guide. Their dam, herself a half-sibling to GSW Wilburn (Bernardini) and GSW Beethoven (Sky Mesa), went to Cody's Wish for 2026.
Not alone as a black-type producer in the family, Crusin Alone's half-sisters include Venetian Sonata (Bernardini)–dam of GSW Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) and graded placed runners Olive Branch (Speightstown) and Flynn's Chance (Medaglia d'Oro); and A.P. Sonata (A.P. Indy), whose claim to fame is through her son, MGSW & GISP Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro). A third sister is the dam of SW Blue Light (City of Light) and GSW Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). This is the immediate female family of champion 3-year-old filly MGISW Abel Tasman (Quality Road). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
BOLTON LANDING S., $145,500, Saratoga, 8-17, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.61, fm.
1–SNOW FACE PRINCESS, 122, f, 2, by Midshipman
1st Dam: Crusin Alone, by Honor Code
2nd Dam: Moonlight Sonata, by Carson City
3rd Dam: Wheatly Way, by Wheatly Hall
($110,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Gary F. Lewin; B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Chris & Julie Tackett (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Flavien Prat. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $142,600.
2–Cy Fair, 122, f, 2, Not This Time–Remarqued, by Arch. ($185,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Medallion Racing, Swinbank Stables LLC, Joey Platts and Mark Stanton; B-Marc Keller (KY); T-George Weaver. $30,000.
3–My Sweetheart, 122, f, 2, Flameaway–My Darling, by Curlin. O/B-Debby M. Oxley (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $18,000.
Margins: NK, 2, 1. Odds: 6.70, 0.60, 2.85.
Also Ran: Sacred Goddess, Bramble Blast. Scratched: Gerrards Cross, Sapphire Beach (Ire), Should've.
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