Ellens Tap Looks To Mirror Mother’s Success in Indiana
Royal Ten Racing has been a mainstay in the winner’s column at Hoosier Park over the past decade. One of their brightest performers was Ellen’s Lucky Star, winner of five stakes races at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Now, they are on the second generation of their standout performer as Ellens Tap makes her first start of the year over Hoosier Park’s oval in the third race on the program Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Just like her mother, Ellen’s Lucky Star, Ellens Tap is trained by Greg Foley. The chestnut daughter of Pleasant Tap has three starts this season with two third place finishes. She made her racing debut at Hoosier Park last fall. Ellens Tap starts from post seven at odds of 5-2, the early morning line favorite.
Ellen’s Lucky Star last raced in the Merrillville Stakes in the fall of 2005. The Indiana-bred daughter of Crown Ambassador ended her career with 10 wins, six of which were recorded over Hoosier Park’s racetrack. Career earnings for Ellen’s Lucky Star were just under $250,000 for her three-year campaign. She won the Richmond Stakes at Hoosier Park three years in a row before her retirement in 2005.
Based out of the Louisville, Ky. area, Royal Ten Racing under the direction of managing partner Robert Means, has had a long partnership with Foley. Foley maintains a stable of horses at Churchill Downs and recently brought a small string of horses stabled on the grounds at Hoosier Park. Foley followed his father, Dravo, into the Thoroughbred industry, beginning his training career in 1981. His sister, Vickie, is also an active trainer on the Indiana racing circuit.
Foley has more than 1,100 career wins as a trainer. He also races at Fair Grounds during the winter where he is among the track’s top 15 trainers each year.
Foley has pulled in numerous leading trainer titles at Turfway Park and has also won titles at Ellis Park and Churchill Downs. His most noted horse to date was multiple Graded Stakes winner Champali, who closed out his career with more than $1 million in earnings. Champali stood at stud in the state of Indiana at one time. The Glitterman horse is now standing in Saudi Arabia.
Photo by Linscott Photography
