81 YEARS OF CHAMPIONS
03.16.24
March 16, 2024
History of the Aiken Trials
Begun in 1942 as a way to give young horses in training the enlightening opportunity to experience every aspect of live racing, the Aiken Trials has become a time-honored tradition as the first leg of Aiken’s Triple Crown events, held annually for three consecutive Saturdays in March. The Aiken Steeplechase and Pacers & Polo make up the other two events.
The Aiken Trials draws upwards of 10,000 spectators who enjoy a day of family fun that includes extravagant tailgating spreads, assorted vendors and good-natured side betting.
There are six races on the program consisting of five races for two-year-olds and maidens (horses that may have started in a race, but have never won), running a ¼ mile to 4 ½ furlongs, and one race for older horses that have already won.
The jockeys are local exercise riders who have an afternoon in the spotlight after paying their dues exercising horses each morning (in all weather) throughout the year. Occasionally, a trainer has brought in a licensed jockey to compete; making some exciting competition for the exercise riders!
5 Thoroughbred Races, Pony Races, and more!
Vendor Village, Food Trucks, Hat Contest
(no entry fee)
Tailgate Contest ($5 fee)
724 Two Notch Road
Southeast Aiken, SC 29801
2024 Winners
First Trial - The Coward Trophy
Maiden Fillies Two Years Old
One-Quarter Mile From the Gate
Sponsored by AB Beverage
Grooms Award Sponsored by Equine Devine
| Place | Horse | Owner | Trainer | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BELLE OF THE SOUTH | Steven Bacon | Brad Stauffer/Legacy Stable | Kat Hogan | 22.40 |
| 2 | BODY LANGUAGE | Carson Ann McCutchen | Jason McCutchen | Brody Durr | |
| DNF | Unnamed Warriors Reward x Munnings Favorite |
Cary Frommer/Becky Davis | Cary Frommer | Victor Rosales | |
| SCR | SLANDEROUS | Carson Ann McCutchen | Jason McCutchen |
Second Trial - The Gaver Trophy / The Dr. Rebekah Brady Memorial Trophy
Maiden Two Year Olds
One-Quarter Mile from the Pole
Sponsored by: Southern Equine Service
Grooms Award Sponsored by Southern Equine Service
| Place | Horse | Owner | Trainer | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHADO | Debbie McCutchen | R.B McCutchen | Brody Durr | 21.2 |
| 2 | Unnamed First Mondays x Boheme de Lavi |
Cary Frommer/ Becky Davis | Cary Frommer | Roberto Benitez | |
| 3 | Unnamed Practical Joke x Tip Top Tap |
Kirkwood Stables | Cary Frommer | Victor Rosales |
Third Trial - The Von Stade Trophy
Polo Pony Race
The Jerry Napp “Yellow Cat” Memorial
Winner Gift Sponsored by The Tackeria
Grooms Award Sponsored by Oak Manor Saddlery
| Place | Horse | Owner/Trainer | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BROLEY | Kimberly Von Stade | Ivan Cruz | 41.40 |
| 2 | M & M | James Gadea | James Gadea | |
| 3 | FRED | Shane Sullivan | Shane Sullivan | |
| Other Entries | ||||
| EVA | Ken Cresswell | Ken Cresswell | ||
| CZARINA | Pearl Duncan | Pearl Duncan | ||
| CARLA | Belinda Brody | Belinda Brody |
Fourth Trial - The City of Aiken Trophy
Three Year Olds and Up
Four and One Half Furlongs From the Gate
Sponsored by Meybohm Real Estate
Grooms Award Sponsored by Steve Penrod
| Place | Horse | Owner | Trainer | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HE IS BONAFIDE | R. Marie Farms LLC | Rebekah Hurt | Kathleen Wilson | 53.20 |
| 2 | SINFUL DANCER | Kimberly Smith | David Figueroa | Makaia Paige Carpenter | |
| 3 | DREAM ASTRAY | Roberto Benitez | Roberto Benitez | Roberto Benitez |
Fifth Trial - The Iselin Hall of Fame Trophy
Maidens, Three Year Olds and Up
Four and One Half Furlongs
Sponsored by Jack Wetzel
Grooms Award Sponsored by tbSALES
| Place | Horse | Owner | Trainer | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TIZ THE PRINCE | Youngs Racing Stable | Bill Allyn | Lizzie Quinn | 56.20 |
| 2 | DATA WARRIOR | Ted Gregory | Ted Gregory | Kat Hogan | |
| 3 | MAJOR MAYHEM | R. Marie Farms LLC | Rebekah Hurt | Ismael Benitez |
SIDE SADDLE RACE
Ladies Side Saddle Race
One Mile – Flag Start
Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Paul Clark
Best Turned Out Award Sponsored by Camp Leaping Horn
| Place | Horse | Owner | Trainer | Rider | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DIPLOMAT | Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Grove | Cathi Grove | Cathi Grove | 4:12.1 |
| 2 | DOUBLE THE WAGER | Erin Stormont | Erin Stormont | Erin Stormont | |
| 3 | CRACKER | Jessica Rutland | Jessica Rutland | Jessica Rutland | |
| Other entries: | |||||
| BATTLE RIVER INK | Raise A Glass Ranch | Wendy Pruden | Wendy Pruden | ||
| LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN | Ned Towell | Mary Katherine Towell | Mary Katherine Towell | ||
| WAFFLES | Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Grove | Cathi Grove | Amber Lee Clark |
Ticket Information
General admission tickets/parking passes are now on sale for the Aiken Trials.
Everyone age 6 years and older must have a valid admission ticket.
Ticket Pricing
General Admission Tickets
$25 available in advance and at the gate
General Admission Parking
$20 in advance or at the gate
Purchase Your Tickets
In Person:
Aiken Training Track Office, 538 Two Notch Road, mornings 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (office accepts cash, check, or credit card) CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS WILL INCUR A PROCESSING FEE.
By Phone:
(803) 648-4631
TICKETS ARE CASH ONLY AT THE GATE.
ALL PURCHASES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
More information at AikenTrainingTrack.com
Tent Permits
This is a rain-or-shine event. Be sure to purchase a Tent Permit so you’re prepared whatever the weather. Permits may be purchased in the Track Office for $20.
Tent Policy
Tent Permit includes 1 additional General Admission Parking pass for your vehicle.
Tent and vehicle may NOT occupy the same spot.
You must provide your own 10’ x 10’ or smaller tent and properly secure it to the ground.
Tents in the Clocker Stand Patron area may be no wider than 8′.
Tent Permit must hang visibly from your tent at all times.
All tents will be inspected for permits and properly secured installation in the interest of safety for our attendees and horses.
No sidewalls are permitted on the rail in order to maintain a fair view of the track.
Presented By
Sponsors
Vendors
We thank you for supporting our vendors!
The Board of Directors of the Aiken Training Track is honored to bestow the membership in the Ambassador Club of the Aiken Training Track to Ron Stevens
Ron Stevens arrived in Aiken in June, 1986 as trainer for Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stable at the Aiken Training Track. In 1990, Campbell announced he would be cutting back on the size of Dogwood. At that time, Ron opened up Stevens Race Stable and continued to train all of the Dogwood horses while taking on other clients. In 2000, Stevens joined with Brad Stauffer and established Legacy Stable.
Stevens served as President of the Aiken Training Track for nine years in the 1990’s, took a break and served again from 2006-2012. Under his leadership, Ron started a ticket pre-sales program for the Aiken Trials, race sponsorship and opened up the infield for parking. He has run over 100 horses in the Trials.
Over the years, Ron Stevens has prepared several top quality horses for their racing careers while they were in Aiken. Dogwood Stable’s Summer Squall finished second in the 1990 Kentucky Derby before winning the Preakness Stakes two weeks later. Storm Song (Dogwood Stable) won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in 1996 and was named Eclipse Award 2 Year Old Filly that year. Quality Road (Spring Hill Farm) was a seven time Graded Stakes winner. Palace Malice (Dogwood Stable) won the 2013 Belmont Stakes and Curalina (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners) won three Grade 1 Stakes.
To this day, Ron continues to partner with Brad Stauffer and is the #1 hotwalker for Legacy Stable.
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