Fresco Breaks Maiden in NYSSS Statue of Liberty

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Oak Bluff Stables homebred Fresco flew like a missile in the stretch to stylishly break her maiden in Thursday’s $100,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series (NYSSS) Statue of Liberty.

Fresco broke from the rail as the 1/2 favorite under Irad Ortiz, Jr., and sat off near the rear while Dixie Cannon set the early pace.

Fresco tipped out near the exit of the far turn and straightened for home running four-wide and in the clear. Hustled along in the stretch, Fresco took over command at the 1/16 pole and drew off with ease for victory.

The Christophe Clement trainee completed the 1 1/16-mile firm inner turf route in a final time of 1:45.43.

“We were trying to wait with the filly because she likes to hang a little bit,” said Ortiz, Jr. “We tried to wait as long as we could today. She broke a little sharp, I took a little hold and she relaxed so well that I just left her there.”

Dixie Cannon was 4 lengths clear of Nicky Scissors for second. Hunnybunnerdini, Apollo’s Abraxas, and Holmdel Park completed the order of finish.

Officer Hutchy was scratched.

Fresco’s win followed a narrow defeat by a nose on June 25 and improved her overall record to 4-1-1-1. The 3-year-old Freud filly has now earned $70,990.

“She broke her maiden in the stakes for her owner-breeder,” Clement said. “She has blacktype, so it works for the whole program. Usually, the owner will sell his colts and keep his fillies, and he has been very successful with a small broodmare band. He bred Audible, he bred Therapist, and he bred this filly, and I’m just lucky to be a part of the program.”

Fresco returned $3 to win, $2.10 to place, and $2.10 to show. Dixie Cannon brought back $2.90 to place and $2.20 to show, while Nicky Scissors paid $2.70 to show.