FOLEY HOPING BANNER SPRING MEET ENDS WITH A STAKES VICTORY IN THE KELLY’S LANDING

For the first time in 10 years, trainer Greg Foley cracked $300,000 in earnings at Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet. The veteran conditioner is hoping to end his banner 2019 Spring Meet on a high with a stakes victory by eight-time winner Control Stake or recent 5 ½-length allowance winner Transatlantic Kiss in Saturday’s $120,000-added Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes.

“It certainly was the next logical spot to enter (Transatlantic Kiss),” said Foley, who began the week tied for No. 10 in the trainer standings with seven wins. “I think he keeps improving with every one of his starts and he really put everything together in his last race. He’s been training really well every morning from that race so the (Kelly’s Landing) was a good spot to enter him back.”

Transatlantic Kiss, owned by Bernard Racing, drew post position No. 9 in the Kelly’s Landing with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle at odds of 8-1. His stablemate, Randy Exelby, Steve Vanovich, Larry Craig and Tagg Team Racing’s Control Stake drew post 3 with Ricardo Santana Jr. back in the irons.

“I think it’ll be a big plus getting Santana back on board,” Foley said. “He’s gotten along with him great in the past. It’s a little quick back from his last start (June 15) but hopefully the race will set up nicely for him.”

The field for the Kelly’s Landing from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Uncontested (Miguel Mena, Tom Amoss, 7-2); Elusive Mischief (Chris Landeros, Ian Wilkes, 8-1); Control Stake (Santana., Foley, 10-1); California Night (Tyler Gaffalione, Mike Maker, 8-1); Line Judge (Corey Lanerie, Peter Miller, 10-1); Kowboy Karma (Gabriel Saez, Larry Jones, 8-1); Petrov (Jack Gilligan, Ron Moquett, 6-1); Warrior’s Club (Jon Court, D. Wayne Lukas, 5-2); and Transatlantic Kiss (Hernandez, Foley, 8-1).

The Kelly’s Landing is one of three stakes races on Churchill Downs’ 12-race closing day card. The seven-furlong event will go as Race 8 at 4:22 p.m. (all times Eastern).