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12/31/2007 - Spring Hill Farm's Nite Light ran with brilliant tactical speed over an off-track Saturday at Aqueduct in the 1 5/8-mile Gallant Fox Handicap. The 3-year-old son of dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch took command with a half-mile left in the race and drew off under rousing from rider Michael Luzzi in the stretch to win by daylight, scoring a 10-length victory. Todd Pletcher conditions Nite Light, who was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Stonerside Stable's Texas Wildcatter exploded in deep stretch to win a 1 1/16-miles allowance race Friday by 10 1/2-lengths at Philadelphia Park. The gray two year-old son of the 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, is out of the Forest Wildcat stakes winning broodmare Mike's Wildcat.

The Pletcher juvenile charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones. Rutledge Farm's Researcher scored a 6 1/4-length victory in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race at Charles Town. The 3-year-old Virginia-bred gelding is conditioned by Jeff Runco, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Kyle Register's Brindle Bug won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race Thursday at Turfway Park. The 4-year-old chestnut daughter of Grade 1 winner Smart Strike was bred in Pennsylvania by Dr. Donald and Elisa Dreyfuss' E & D Enterprises and Will S. Farish. The filly is conditioned by Patty Burns.

A half-brother to stakes winners Karen's Caper and Miss Coronado, Commodore Bob finished second, just missing by a head in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on the turf at the Fair Grounds. Commodore Bob was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Rutledge Farm's Rutledge Storm placed second Thursday in a 6-furlong maiden special weight race at Laurel. The Graham Motion charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

12/26/2007 - It's been a strong year for Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stables. Both older horses and 2-year-olds have distinguished themselves on the racetrack. Among the stakes winners in 2007 that have trained at the Aiken Training Track are older horses including Bob and John, Karen's Caper, Bold Angel and General Charley.

But it's the list of juvenile winners who've trained at the Stonerside facility under the eye of Tim Jones that seems to be generating a tremendous amount of attention — Country Star, who has won consecutive Grade 1 races and has bankrolled $575,900; Aiken Trials alumnus and Grade 3 winner Sea Chanter, a winner of $271,477; Grade 3 winner Texas Fever; and stakes winner Cowboy Cal. Other two Year-old winners include Cosmic Belle, Zuella, Rich Hero and Tizaqueena.

"It was an outstanding crop, and it was probably the most outstanding crop we've had as a whole," said Jones. It was our hope the horses would be good two year-olds. They were bred to be good three year-old performers. We've been very pleased they've run so well, and hopefully, it will continue."

There were 34 2-year-old Stonerside-bred, Aiken-trained runners in 2007; 23 started in 2007, making 53 starts, winning 16 times and placing four times. The juvenile runners have bankrolled $1,247,324, with the average runner earning $54,231. There have been 11 different 2-year-old winners who've trained over the Aiken Training Track.

The 2002 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Congaree, a multiple Grade 1 winner of $3,267,490, who entered stud at Adena Springs in Paris, Ky., will have his first crop race in 2008. Stonerside has retained ownership in the stallion.

"We're really excited about the Congaree babies, they look like they could be the real thing," said Jones. "We're not going to know what they can do for the next year and a-half, but they sure look like the real thing."

12/26/2007 - Thoroughbred trainer Tom Bentley knows what it takes to succeed. A 22-year veteran of the National Guard and former police officer, Bentley has made it his life's work to help people and now has directed his attention to horses.

A devout family man, Bentley left racing at the suggestion of his wife.

"I sold my trailer and 90 percent of my tack," said Bentley. "I decided to take care of my kids, and raise my family instead of horses. My daughters started to ride again, so I got them a Paint, and I wanted to find a nice looking Buckskin to ride along next to them. I started looking and started to get the racing itch again. As I was looking for a dilute gene, I stumbled across Palomino Thoroughbreds. The next thing I knew, I started buying Thoroughbreds again, and that's how I got Goldhaven."

The trainer also purchased a Palomino Thoroughbred broodmare, who produced a Palomino foal and who is pregnant again, said Bentley.

"The Palomino Thoroughbreds brought me back into racing full-time," said Bentley.

Goldhaven is Palomino colt that was foaled in Pennsylvania in 2005. He's by a son of the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat named Innkeeper, who won $23,180. Inkeeper, a sire of nine crops to race, is the sire of the stakes placed Motel Time, and is out of the Glitter Please broodmare Skattered Gold. Inkeeper's racing career became derailed and he ended up in a hunter/jumper barn, where he was siring mostly hunter/jumpers but being bred to some Thoroughbred racing propsects, said Bentley.

"His mare Skattered Gold was a show mare, who showed at Devon and Warrenville, and that's where he gets his color," said Bentley. "And her sire was Glitter Please, who was an FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) dressage horse, a very athletic horse. Goldhaven's dam's dam was a race mare. His bottom side is nice, it has race in it, but a little bit of beauty too. His top side is pretty regally-bred, and the bottom side is the pretty side. And hopefully, when I combine them together, I'll get a pretty good looking racehorse."

Aiken's mystique and uniqueness provided the allure for Bentley to shift his tack from Shakopee, Minn., to his new home in Augusta. Goldhaven has turned some heads while training at the Aiken Training Track. "Shannon (Epley) in the office has been wonderful to work with," said Bentley. "Vicki Furr has also been wonderful in helping me out. I've met some really great people. Aiken has its own unique environment and atmosphere."

Bentley spent 22 years in the reserve component of the National Guard as an officer and engineer. He'd been in medical sales for a number of years treating urology disorders, and was a police officer for 10 years. The trainer has also conditioned quarter horses.

"The horse business is a full time commitment, but I had committed to my family," said Bentley. "I just celebrated my 19th wedding anniversary. My wife is allowing me to pursue my dream to race this yellow horse. I'm in my mid-40s. My commitment now is to training horses and building my business." For more information about Bentley and Goldhaven, visit his website at www.3-bars.com.

12/21/2007 - The Aiken Training Track continues to attract the best and the brightest from the world of Thoroughbred racing. Darley U.S.A.'s bloodstock and marketing coordinator Conor Foley visited the facility Thursday morning. It was his first visit to Aiken.

"I work for Darley in the marketing department," said Foley. "We're growing immensely as a company. It's been a super exciting place to work. I wanted to see different areas of the country, and they allowed me to do that. I've never been to Aiken, I think it's gorgeous. I spent about 10 days in Ocala, Fla., and than came up here to Camden and Aiken. I had been to Ocala before. My main mission is to see the horses by our sires."

Foley took a closer look at the progeny sired by the impressive roster of stallions standing at Darley U.S.A.

Darley is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who was appointed Crown Prince of Dubai in 1995, and according to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association has created the new horse racing city Meydan, scheduled to open in 2010.

"There's a nice list of horses here by Street Cry (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE) was the 2002 Horse of the Year in the United Arab Emirates.), to see what horses are training and coming up, and are preparing for future success," said Foley.

Darley had four of their stallions for 2008 featured on the cover of the Dec. 15 edition of The Blood-Horse —Street Sense, Hard Spun, Discreet Cat and Any Given Saturday.

"We were very blessed this year, we were able to get Street Sense, Any Given Saturday, Discreet Cat, Hard Spun and Songster," said Foley. "We do offer a wide range to our breeders. We price the stallions at what we believe are really fair and reasonable prices. We want people to be able to afford and to have the opportunity to be able to breed to top quality stallions. We want people to be able to go to the races with a horse that wasn't too expensive to make."

Street Sense, the 2006 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old and 2007 Kentucky Derby winner; Hard Spun, who finished second in the 2007 Kentucky Derby; Any Given Saturday who won the 2007 Haskell Invitational and the 2007 Brooklyn Handicap; Discreet Cat, who won the 2006 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap; and Songster, who won the 2007 Bold Ruler Handicap, are Darley's new stallions for 2008 at their operation in Lexington, Ky. Darley purchased Stonerside Saratoga from Robert McNair in January. Stonerside has their training operation based in Aiken.

"Street Sense and Hard Spun's paddocks are right next to each other, as are their stalls," said Foley. "Street Sense goes in first and Hard Spun follows him in just like they finished in the Kentucky Derby. They're extremely intelligent horses. Any Given Saturday is a total class act, he came in a couple of weeks after the other two, and Discreet Cat arrived a couple of days after Street Sense and Hard Spun. Discreet Cat looks great. Last year at this time, you really couldn't decide who was going to be 3-year-old champion, Bernardini (who also stands at Darley) or Discreet Cat. We offer our breeders' a nice variation of speed. Songster, when he retired, was the fastest sprinter in the country. It's too bad he got hurt. He could've been something really special."

Darley U.S.A.'s stallions roster stands at 17 horses and includes Eclipse Award winners Holy Bull, Cherokee Run and Bernardini.

"Darley's a tremendous place to work, and every day is different," said Foley. "The older stallions are doing great. Holy Bull (The 1994 Horse of the Year) thinks everyone is there to see him. He still has that champion's attitude and class. Just the other day in Camden, I saw an awesome looking Holy Bull 2-year-old."

12/18/2007 - Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable was named the Owner of the Week by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, according to the Dec. 17 issue of the Thoroughbred Times Today.

Stonerside's 2-year-old filly Country Star won this past Saturday's Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes stamping the daughter of Grade 1 and Classic winner Empire Maker as one of the nation's premier juvenile fillies.

Country Star established a new track record over the all weather Cushion Track surface at Hollywood Park, of 1:40:54 for 1 1/16-miles.

Cot Campbell's editorial commentary: "Oh Me, Oh Myectomy," was featured in the Dec. 15 issue of The Blood-Horse.

Dogwood Stable's Hall of Famer, a 2-year-old son of Grand Slam, won a 1 1/16-miles maiden special weight race on the turf by a nose Monday at Calder Race Course. The bay colt is trained by Christophe Clement.

Lansdon Robbins, III and Bruce Lunsford's Drilling For Oil placed second Saturday in the Prairie Bayou Stakes at Turfway Park. The 4-year-old chestnut colt was bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd., and is conditioned by Ken McPeek. Drilling For Oil captured the Grade 3 Louisville Handicap in May. The $270,000 yearling purchase was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Spring Hill Farm's Sumptuous paced second Friday in a one-mile-and-70-yards allowance race at Aqueduct.

Dogwood Stable's Zenfully placed second in a 1 1/16-miles race Friday at Turfway Park. The gelded son of Cozene is trained by Elwood McCann, Sr.

Dogwood Stable's Hanna Banana placed second Thursday in a 5 1/2-furlong race at Calder Race Course. The Frank Alexander charge was beaten by only a head.

Richard Duchossois' Must Trust finished third in a 1 1/16-miles allowance race on the turf Friday at Hawthorne. The Chris Block charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stable's Gene and Kelly Tucker.

Jacob's Run placed third in a 7-furlong allowance race Friday at Laurel Park. The Dogwood Plantation runner is conditioned by Leigh Delacour, and was also broken and trained by the Tuckers. Stonerside Stable's Charity Quest finished third Saturday at the Fair Grounds. The Mark Casse charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

12/17/2007 - Stonerside Stable's Country Star belted out another smash hit as she scored a 2 3/4-length victory Saturday afternoon in the 1 1/16-miles Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes at Hollywood Park. It was the second consecutive Grade 1 victory for the daughter of the 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker. She is out of the Metfield broodmare, the Grade I winner Rings A Chime, a Washington-bred who earned $606,315, and who won the 2000 Ashland Stakes. The precocious dark bay filly broke her maiden in her second start, the 1 1/16-miles Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes on Oct. 5 at Keeneland. Country Star is trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bobby Frankel, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones. The consecutive Grade I victories have made Country Star a strong contender for an Eclipse Award as North America's champion 2-year-old filly.

"The Hollywood Starlet Stakes was only her third lifetime start; we're very pleased," said Jones. "In my opinion, there aren't too many horses that you know are going to be special, but everyone in the barn felt she was going to be special, not just me, but the grooms, the riders, everyone thought she was a special filly."

Jones had an intuitive feeling, a sixth sense that Country Star was going to be an outstanding performer on the racetrack.

"In my seven years of training in Aiken, she was the one horse we felt that way about," said Jones. "We feel real blessed with this filly." Country Star finished second in her debut, a 1 1/16-miles maiden special weight race at Belmont Park on Sept. 20. From three starts, Country Star has two wins, placed second once and has bankrolled $575,900.

Stonerside Stable's Commodore Bob broke his maiden easily Thursday at Sam Houston Race Park, winning by 5 1/4-lengths. A half-brother to graded stakes winners Miss Coronado and Karen's Caper, Commodore Bob is trained by Mike Stidham, and was also broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

12/10/2007 - ELLOREE -- The South Carolina Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' held their annual meeting at Franklin Smith's Elloree Training Center Saturday afternoon.

A number of topics were discussed, including the running of the Third Annual South Carolina Residency Races, which took place Oct. 28 at Philadelphia Park. The SCTOBA is currently accepting nominations for the 2008 edition of the South Carolina Residency Races. Early bird nominations must be postmarked by Jan. 15, 2008, for the Fourth annual Christopher Elser Memorial Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings and the Donna Freyer Stakes for 2-year-old fillies to be run this fall at Philadelphia Park, said Lee Christian SCTOBA executive director. Nomination forms are now available on the SCTOBA website, he said. A horse has to spend at least 90 days at a South Carolina-based training center to be eligible for the races.

The meeting's special guest speaker was Thoroughbred Times advertising sales manager Ken Ward.

The SCTOBA Awards dinner is scheduled for Jan. 19 at the Indigo Jones Restaurant in Camden. The cost of the dinner is 75 per person, said Christian. There will also be a silent auction. Television personality and South Carolina native Jan Rushton will be the featured guest speaker.

It was also announced at the meeting, an award honoring Frank Whiteley Jr., which will bear the name of the Hall of Fame conditioner who trained Damascus, Tom Rolfe, Ruffian and Forego, will be given on a regular basis to the individual who through distinguished service has done the most to promote and contribute to the sport of Thoroughbred racing in South Carolina.

The SCTOBA board also elected its new board of directors. Outgoing board members, included Dogwood Stable's Mary Jane Howell, who served as the SCTOBA secretary, George Thomas and Tuffy Rast, who were thanked for their service. Edisto Racing Stable's managing partner Wylie Perkins succeeds Howell as secretary, and Webb Carroll and June Lennon were elected to the board.

Lee Christian's Brasstown won a 6-furlong race by 9-lengths on Saturday at Charles Town. The 2-year-old South Carolina-bred colt is trained by Franklin Smith.

For more information about the SCTOBA, you can access their website at www.sctoba.org

12/09/2007 - It's been a terrific year for Spring Hill Farm horses trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Nite Light wired the field and demonstrated his ability as a stayer Wednesday afternoon as he won the 1 1/2-mile Coyote Lakes Stakes at Aqueduct.

The 3-year-old son of dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch won by a neck, and was ridden to victory by Michael Luzzi.

The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens. Nite Light joins Mini Sermon, Christmas Kid, Intentional Fever, Dorm Fever, Giant Wrecker, Pleasant Strike and Liquor Cabinet (IRE) as Spring Hill Farm stakes winners in 2007.

Peconic Bay broke his maiden by a half-length Saturday at Aqueduct in a 6-furlong race. The Pat Kelly charge paid 73 to win.

The chestnut gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff, who had the New York-bred son of Notebook before he was gelded.

"He'd been off for a while, he was recovering from a broken leg; he had some screws placed in his leg, has receovered, and ran very well yesterday," said Cluff. "He was a very nice colt."

Stonerside Stable's Tizaqueena exploded in the stretch Dec. 2 to win, and broke her maiden in a 1-mile race at the Fair Grounds by 5 1/4-lengths.

The 2-year-old daughter of two-time Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow is trained by Mike Stidham, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable's Nullify showed his determination battling back after he lost the lead to win by 3/4-lengths Friday afternoon at Aqueduct. The 2 year-old Florida-bred son of Grade 1 winner Yes It's True is conditioned by George Weaver and was trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Stonerside Stable's Skylighter finished second Wednesday in a 1 1/16-mile Maiden Special Weight race at Hollywood Park.

The 2-year-old filly is trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bobby Frankel and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Spring Hill Farm's Rough Water placed second in a 1-mile race Sunday at Aqueduct. Rough Water is conditioned by Anthony Dutrow, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

12/04/2007 - The Mike Keogh conditioned Upton Park broke his maiden by 1 1/2-lenghts in a seven-furlong race at Woodbine on Nov. 28. Gustav Schickedanz bred the 3-year-old son of Sovereign Award winning Sprinter Langfuhr in Ontario. The roan gelding is owned by the partnership of Lori Keogh, E. MacDonald, P. O'Sullivan and G. Kenny.

"Upton Park's named after the ground my favorite football team, West Ham United, plays on," said Keogh in a phone interview Monday afternoon.

Linda Sours and Michael Furr's Semi Waki broke his maiden last Thursday, wiring the field to win by 1 1/2-lengths in a 4 1/2-furlong contest at Charles Town. The 3-year-old New York-bred is by Freud, a half-brother to Champion and leading sire Giant's Causeway. Danny Furr conditions the chestnut colt.

Bruce and Rita Snipes' Nekia Farm's Super Nekia finished second in a 6 1/2-furlong race on Nov. 27 at Philadelphia Park. Steve Epley, Jr. conditions Super Nekia.

Stonerside Stable's Summer Ballad placed second in a 6-furlong maiden special weight race Friday at Sam Houston Park. Mike Stidham conditions the dark bay 2-year-old son of Valid Expectations. Summer Ballad was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

Hermen Greenberg's Researcher placed second in a 1 1/8-miles allowance race Friday evening at Charles Town. Jeff Runco conditions the 3-year-old Virginia-bred gelding. Researcher was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Hepcat finished second in a 6-furlong maiden special weight race Saturday at Aqueduct. Mark Hennig conditions the 2-year-old Kentucky-bred colt. Hepcat was broken and trained by Stevens.

Jim Miller's Miss Brooklyn B. placed second in a one-mile allowance race Saturday at Turfway Park. The Elwood McCann Sr. charge had Victor Lebron in the irons. Miss Brooklyn B. was broken and trained by Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Admiral Bird finished third in a one-mile allowance race on the turf Saturday at Aqueduct. The Christophe Clement charge was broken and trained by Stevens.

Ocean View Stable's Moonlight Watch finished third in a one-mile race Saturday at Philadelphia Park. Glenn Thompson trains the 4-year-old New Jersey-bred filly.

Peter Schiff's Planets Aligned was featured on the cover of the Nov. 16 issue of The Steeplechase and Eventing Times. The Tom Voss charge won the 100,000 AFLAC U.S. Championship Novice at Callaway Gardens, and had won the Mickey Walsh Novice at Saratoga earlier in the year en route to claiming the National Steeplechase Association Novice Championship as the 6-year-old bankrolled more than 142,000. Sally Cluff had trained the horse in Aiken, while he was racing on the flat, and was in trainer Pat Kelly's barn.

"I had Planets Aligned when he came to Aiken for some R and R, one winter," said Cluff. "He was always a nice horse and a pleasure to be around. He won a couple of races at Belmont and one at Saratoga after he left Aiken, and than they decided to make him a hurdle horse. He's a nice big horse."

A name familiar to Aiken residents received the F. Ambrose Clark Award in Camden on Nov. 17. Austin Brown, who is the president of the National Steeplechase Association Museum, was selected as the 2007 recipient by the NSA as the individual who promotes, improves or encourages steeplechase racing. Aiken's Steve Groat won the award in 2004. Clark was also an Aiken resident.

12/01/2007 - More than 30 horses who've won stakes races in 2007 have trained over the surface at the Aiken Training Track, and for the past month, horsemen have had the opportunity to enjoy and train over the racing strip that features a new inner rail which was installed in late October.

Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable in Paris, Ky., helped to finance the installation of the new inner rail that was installed by Horsemen's Track and Equipment, Inc. of Louisville, Ky. Stonerside's training facility is based in Aiken.

"We love Aiken, and we feel so fortunate that Ron Stevens and Cot Campbell helped us to acquire the Mack Miller property," said Stonerside Stable racing and bloodstock manager John Adger. "It's wonderful to be involved with such a historic training facility.

"We love the history of the sport in Aiken, but by helping to finance the new rail, we're helping the training track move into the next era."

The new inner rail, in addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, has made the training track safer for horsemen and their horses.

"The new rail is wonderful," said Aiken trainer Anne Mitchell Pezzano. "We're grateful to the McNairs and John Adger for making this possible so we can go forward."

The installation of the new rail follows the completion of a new 36-stall barn last December and the building of a new tractor shed this summer.

"It's just another step to upgrading the facility, and the new rail makes the Aiken Training Track the best place to train in the region," said Aiken Training Track treasurer Bernadette Clayton. "We're grateful to Stonerside, the McNairs and John Adger for making this possible."

Stonerside has had a strong year and has campaigned and bred a large contingent of stakes winners. Their juvenile runners have enjoyed a great deal of success.

"We're very fortunate, and it's truly been a team effort," said Adger. "They've done a wonderful job at the farm (in Paris, Ky.), and Tim Jones and his crew have done a wonderful job at the training facility. We're very excited about the success of the 2-year-olds we've had in training this year. We've had a phenomenal year. This is the first crop of 2-year-olds we've had where we've put all of the horses in training. We try to position ourselves so luck will run over us."

11/29/2007 - Dogwood Stable has two colts who've stamped themselves as legitimate Classic prospects with their strong performances in graded stakes this past weekend.

Atoned, who placed second in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct, missed winning the race by a neck, and Blackberry Road, a son of Grade 1 winner Gone West, made a strong move in the stretch to finish second in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs.

A winner of the Continental Mile Stakes earlier this summer at Monmouth Park, Atoned is the first winner and first stakes winner of multiple graded stakes winner Repent.

He has finished off the board only once in seven career starts.

Atoned is a half-brother to stakes-placed Major Wager.

The dark bay colt was purchased by Dogwood Stable at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company February Select 2-Year-Olds-in-Training Sale from the consignment of Niall Brennan for 165,000. In seven lifetime starts, the Todd Pletcher charge has two wins, has placed second four times and has bankrolled 136,757. Atoned is in Aiken under the care of Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

"Atoned should be able to fulfill some Florida engagements in late February, and we expect him to have a race or two before the Derby," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president in a press release.

Blackberry Road has placed in his last two stakes races, and the dark bay juvenile colt is out of the Strawberry Road broodmare Strawberry Reason. The 2-year-old has demonstrated his late closing kick.

He made up a tremendous amount of ground in his last two races - the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes and the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. The David Carroll charge is a half-brother to the 2002 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old colt Vindication and is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Scipion and True Reason, who is stakes placed in Japan.

Strawberry Reason was barren in 2006, the year after she foaled Blackberry Road but has an A.P. Indy weanling by her side and is in foal to Unbridled Song.

"Blackberry Road - who was given a forced breather in October and November due to David Carroll's barn being quarantined for the equine herpes virus - will start next on Jan. 12 in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans," said Campbell in the press release. "Calvin (Borel, Blackberry Road's jockey) refers to Blackberry Road as 'Little Street' as in this year's Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense - a very pleasing association. Calvin will ride at Oaklawn Park this winter, and he is committed to our colt for his Louisiana engagements."

11/28/2007 - Ice Cool Kitty was like a blast of cold, fresh air as she wired the field in Sunday's 1 1/8-mile Montauk Handicap at Aqueduct. The 4-year-old New York-bred filly in addition to winning the Montauk Handicap captured the Wendy Walker Stakes and Saratoga Dew Stakes earlier this year. The chestnut filly is by Tomorrow's Cat, out of the Dispersal broodmare Icy Chris. The chestnut filly is owned by Lansdon Robbins, III and Peter Callahan, is conditioned by Richard Dutrow, Jr., was bred by William Garbarini and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Fred Heyman and Nancy Clark's P. Kerney won a 6-furlong allowance race on Nov. 21 at Laurel Park. The 6-year-old bay gelding is trained by Michael Trombetta and was bred in Maryland by Robert S. "Shell" Evans. P. Kerney is a half-brother to stakes placed High Watermark. P. Kerney was broken and trained by Stevens.

The NTRA announced Tuesday morning that Evans was appointed to the Political Action Committee, Horse PAC. Evans is the Chairman of the Board of Crane Co., a Connecticut-based diversified manufacturing firm that distributes building products, according to the NTRA. He's the son of Thomas Mellon Evans who owned Buckland Farm, whose winter training operation was based in Aiken, and the brother of Spring Hill Farm's Edward Evans, who sends his horses to Stevens to be broken and trained.

Ocean View Stable's homebred Exciting Times took command in the stretch and won a 6-furlong race by one-length Saturday at Philadelphia Park. The 5-year-old roan New Jersey-bred gelding is conditioned by Glenn Thompson, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Thompson.

Fox Ridge Farm's Naughty New Yorker finished third Saturday in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap at Aqueduct. Sally Cluff trained the 5-year-old son of Quiet American in Aiken.

Stonerside Stable's Cowboy Cal, who won the Laurel Futurity Saturday is the 38th stakes winner sired by Giant's Causeway, according to the Thoroughbred Times.

Spring Hill Farm's graded stakes winner Giant Wrecker, who's by Giant's Causeway, worked 5-furlongs at Payson Training Center Nov. 23, and the Mark Hennig charge is being pointed toward Saturday's Grade 3 1 1/8-miles Tropical Turf Handicap at Calder Race Course. Giant Wrecker was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

11/24/2007 - Sea Chanter and Cowboy Cal may only be juveniles, but the two Stonerside runners have made an imprint in their respective 2-year-old divisions by winning stakes races Saturday afternoon.

Sea Chanter, fresh off a win in the Epitome Breeders' Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park on Oct. 26, showed her grit and determination rallying to take the lead in deep stretch to win the Grade 3 1-mile Miesque Stakes on the turf by 3/4-lengths at Hollywood Park.

The Todd Pletcher filly was ridden to victory by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. Sea Chanter has now bankrolled 271,477.

Cowboy Cal was much the best in the 1 1/16-miles Laurel Futurity at Laurel Park, commandeering the lead in the stretch to win by 6 1/4-lengths.

The Pletcher charge had jockey Edgar Prado in the irons. It was the first stakes win for the dark bay son of Giant's Causeway.

Both Sea Chanter and Cowboy Cal were broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside's Tim Jones.

More than 30 horses who have won stakes in 2007 have trained at the Aiken Training Track.

Spring Hill Farm's Mini Sermon's head bob in the Grade 2 1-mile Top Flight Handicap at Aqueduct was the difference Friday afternoon.

The Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. The 3-year-old filly increased her lifetime earnings to 256,100.

"We're tickled to death, she was always a very tough and game filly, and she showed that," said Stevens. "She fought the other horse all the way to the wire and got her nose down. This was her first time against older fillies. It shows she's a courageous filly and we're real proud of her." Dogwood Stable's Blackberry Road placed second Saturday in the Grade 2 Kentucky Cup Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The 2-year-old son of Gone West made up a tremendous amount of ground in the stretch, missing by only a half-length in the 1 1/16-miles race. Blackberry Road is trained by David Carroll.

Dogwood Stable's Atoned held the lead into the stretch before placing second by a desperate neck in the Remsen Stakes Saturday at Aqueduct. Atoned is conditioned by Pletcher.

11/23/2007 - Spring Hill Farm's homebred Mini Sermon will contest the one-mile Grade 2 Top Flight Handicap today at Aqueduct. The 3-year-old filly will break from the 2 hole, and will have jockey Eibar Coa in the irons. The Virginia-bred daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Pulpit, is out of the Storm Cat broodmare Mini Storm, and won the Marking Time Stakes earlier in year. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Dogwood Stable's Atoned will make his next start tomorrow in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. The first stakes winner sired by multiple graded stakes winner Repent drew the sixth hole. The Florida-bred is campaigned by Todd Pletcher, and won the Continental Mile Stakes on Aug. 18 at Monmouth Park.

Another Dogwood entry, Blackberry Road, who is by Grade 1 winner Gone West, out of the Strawberry Road broodmare Strawberry Reason, has been entered in the Grade Two 1 1/16-miles Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. The dark bay colt finished third in his last start, the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes Sept. 29 at Turfway Park. Stonerside Stable's Bold Angel seeks her second stakes win of the year in the one-mile Pago Hop Stakes on the turf tomorrow at the Fair Grounds. The half-sister to stakes winner Texas Fever won the Sam Houston Oaks in March. The Mike Stidahm charge is by the 1999 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief. The 3-year-old chestnut filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

Stonerside Stable's Sea Chanter will go for her second consecutive stakes victory tomorrow in the Grade 3 Miesque Mile on the turf at Hollywood Park. The Aiken Trials alumnus captured the one-mile Epitome Breeders' Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park on Oct. 26. The Todd Pletcher charge has bankrolled $198,277.

Sea Chanter was broken and trained by Jones.

Stonerside Stable's Cowboy Cal will break from the outside drawing the third hole for the 1 1/16-miles Laurel Futurity Saturday afternoon. The dark bay 2-year-old colt is by Giant's Causeway, the champion 3-year-old colt in 2000 in both England and Ireland. The Todd Pletcher charge will have Edgar Prado in the irons. Cowboy Cal was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones. Hermen Greenberg's White Diamond finished second Sunday in a 1 1/8-miles maiden special weight race at Charles Town. The Jeff Runco charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Prince Rahy finished third in a one-mile allowance race on the turf at Aqueduct on Thanksgiving Day. The Frank Alexander charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens. Longtime trainer Frank Gomez an inductee into the Calder Race Course Hall of Fame has retired from training at the age of 78, according to the Thoroughbred Times. Gomez spent time in Aiken in the late 1960's.

11/22/2007 - Debbie's Rose raced up close to the pace stalking the early leader Zig Zag Soxs, and then made a bold move in the stretch commandeering the lead and drawing off to break her maiden by three lengths. The 3-year-old daughter of Acceptable is out of the Louis Quatorze broodmare Sunday Swim. Debbie's Rose is campaigned and conditioned by Robert Zahl. The bay filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Zahl.

Harold Via's Jr.'s Fantorini broke his maiden over national fences in a 2 1/4-miles race at Springdale Race Course in Camden on Sunday. The 5-year-old gelded son of the 1987 Male Eclipse Award winning turf champion Theatrical was bred in Pennsylvania by George Strawbridge, is trained by the 2007 National Steeplechase Association's leading trainer Jack Fisher and was ridden to victory by Xavier Aizpuru. Fantorini was trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens, and had been raced on the flat by Dogwood Stable.

Stonerside Stable's Argentina (IRE) placed second in the Grade 3 Cardinal Handicap at 1 1/8-miles on the turf Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 5-year-old bay mare is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel. The daughter of Saddler's Wells has bankrolled $674,819.

Sale Pending placed second in a 1 1/16-miles allowance race Friday at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old chestnut colt by Boundary is conditioned by Ken McPeek and is campaigned by the partnership of Lansdon Robbins III and Tom Hansen. Sale Pending was broken and trained by Stevens.

Marq of Love placed second Saturday in a 1-mile and 70 yards allowance race at Philadelphia Park. The 3-year-old bay colt by multiple Grade 1 winner Marquetry is owned by Richard Schibell and is conditioned by James Ryerson. Marq of Love was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup. Stonerside Stable's Sangaree finished second Sunday in a 6-furlong maiden special weight race at Hollywood Park.

11/12/2007 - Red Zipper scored his second stakes win of 2007 cruising to a 3-length victory Sunday in the New York Stallion Comorant Stakes, a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf at Aqueduct. The winner of the Kingston Handicap earlier this year, Red Zipper was handily ridden to victory by jockey Eibar Coa. The 4-year-old New York-bred son of Grade One winner City Zip is out of the Red Attack broodmare Lady in Red. The chestnut gelding races in the silks of Jeffrey Tucker, and is conditioned by John Morrison. Red Zipper trained at W.C. "Mike" and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

"We bounced back Sunday, his last two races were kind of puzzling," said Morrison, Monday afternoon in a phone interview. "We made a few slight adjustments. The first thing Eibar said was, 'He's back to where he was in the spring.' He'll be headed to Chime Bell Farm, to Jill (Thomas) right after Christmas, and we'll put him on the same type of program as last year."

Spring Hill Farm's Spritely showed her vitality in winning a 7-furlong allowance race by 1 1/2-lengths Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs. The 2-year-old daughter of the 1997 Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Stonerside Stable's Cosmic Belle was something out of this world last Wednesday, breaking her maiden by 4 3/4-lengths in a 6-furlong race at Churchill Downs. The 2-year-old filly by the 1999 Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid is conditioned by Bernard Flint. Cosmic Belle was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones.

Gustav Schickedanz's Cheers Mate finished second Sunday in a 6-furlong race at Woodbine. Mike Keogh broke, trained and conditioned the 2-year-old Ontario-bred gelding in Aiken, and trains the horse at the track.

Stonerside's stakes winning filly Bold Angel finished second Thursday in a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf at Hawthorne. The 3-year-old chestnut filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Texas Fever and is trained by Mike Stidham. Bold Angel was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Stonerside Stable's Colonel Tom finished second Sunday in a 1-mile and 70 yards race at Hawthorne. The son of Deputy Commander is trained by Mike Stidham, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Ocean View Stable's Exciting Times finished third in a 6-furlong race Thursday night at the Meadowlands. Glenn Thompson, broke and trained Exciting Times in Aiken, and conditions him at the racetrack.

11/8/2007 - Marital Asset continues his winning ways as the half-brother to Grade One winner Yonaguska, graded stakes winner Halo Homewrecker and stakes winner Call It Off romped to a 5 3/4-lengths victory in a 7-furlong allowance race Monday at Philadelphia Park.

The Anthony Dutrow charge was sent off as the race favorite and didn't disappoint, winning easily. The 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy, out of the Silver Ghost mare Marital Spook, races in the silks of Edward P. Evans, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Marc Keller's Bribon (FR) won a 6-furlong allowance race Thursday at Aqueduct. The French-bred gelded son of Mark of Esteem (IRE) rallied in the stretch to collar the leaders, and held on to win by 3/4-lengths. The Robert Ribaudo charge trained at W.C. "Mike" Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Eight Belles resounded loudly making an emphatic statement winning a one-mile-and-70-yards allowance race by a commanding 10-lengths Oct. 30 at Delaware Park. The 2-year-old filly is by Grade One winner Unbridled's Song, races in the silks of Fox Hill Farm and is trained by Larry Jones. Eight Belles was broken and trained by Stevens.

Bruce and Rita Snipes' Nekia Farm's Lover Nekia won a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf, by an impressive 7-lengths on Oct. 30 at Delaware Park. The dark bay son of Not For Love is conditioned by Steve Epley, Jr., and was broken and trained in Aiken by Epley, Jr.

Ocean View Stable's Peak Experience reached his zenith by outdueling his rival in the stretch of a one-mile race at the Meadowlands Friday night to win by 3-lengths. The dark bay gelded son of Diamond is trained by Glenn Thompson, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Thompson. Stonerside Stable's Launched Missile roared like a rocket, wiring the field in a 6-furlong contest Sunday at Churchill Downs. The chestnut colt is by multiple graded stakes winner Mr. Greeley. Launched Missile is conditioned by Bernie Flint and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable's Pulla Fast One placed second in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance race Thursday on the turf at Laurel Park. The chestnut colt by More Than Ready is trained by George Weaver at the track, and was broken and trained by Stevens.

Terra Farm's Young Dom placed second in a 1 1/8-miles allowance race on the turf Oct. 26 at Woodbine. Mike Keogh trains the bay gelded son of Anees, who increased his bankroll to $149,822. Manchester Farm's Primelake finished second Friday at Aqueduct in a one-mile maiden special weight race on the turf.

Ocean View Stable's Sea Spies placed second in a 6-furlong race Halloween night at the Meadowlands. Sea Spies is conditioned by Thompson.

11/6/2007 - Dogwood Stable's Cotton Blossom will be starting her new career as a member of the Overbrook Farm broodmare band. The Lexington, Ky.-based farm purchased the daughter of Broken Vow Sunday evening for 1.9 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Select Mixed Sale from the consignment of Three Chimneys Farm.

Plans call for the bay filly to be booked to the Overbrook stallion Storm Cat, who perennially has been one of North America's leading sires, for the 2008-breeding season.

Cotton Blossom was bred in Kentucky by Jim Squires, and is out of the Dixieland Band broodmare For Dixie. The filly who was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens and conditioned at the racetrack by three-time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher, retired with lifetime earnings of 724,987 after sustaining an injury on Aug. 4 during the running of the Grade One Test Stakes in Saratoga.

"It was a bittersweet moment to watch our filly sell last night (Sunday night)," said Cot Campbell Dogwood Stable president in a press release. "With her race record, breeding and looks we thought she would be one of the stars of this sale, and the 1.9 million Overbook Farm spent proved we were correct. She has brought all of us at Dogwood some great memories -- capped off with her Grade One win in the Acorn Stakes at Belmont. She was one of the best of her generation."

Cotton Blossom won the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes as a 2 year-old, and the Grade One Acorn Stakes and the Florida Oaks during her sophomore campaign. Cotton Blossom is a half-sister to Dogwood Stable's graded stakes winner Vicarage.

11/3/2007 - Al Darlington can truly be considered one of Thoroughbred racing's renaissance men. He's been a jockey, an exercise rider, jockey valet, trainer and radio show host. His career spans six decades, having started at the racetrack in 1948 at the age of 13.

He's hosted a radio show, "Down The Stretch" for the past 4 years on Sports Radio 1340 WEPM in Martinsburg, W.V. The show airs each week from February through October. His show is one of the nation's many radio shows dedicated to Thoroughbred racing. An article written by Jon Forbes Jr. about the proliferation of Thoroughbred racing radio shows recently appeared in The Blood-Horse. Darlington has had many of Thoroughbred racing's most prominent personalities on his radio show. The goal of the show is to promote Thoroughbred racing and the industry as a whole. He's had racing officials, exercise riders and grooms on the air, so the public has an idea of what's happening on the backside of the racetrack.

"I've had Steve Asmussen on the show, I had spotted Curlin after his win in the Rebel Stakes," said Darlington. "Kiaran McLaughlin the trainer of Invasor (ARG); Carl Nafzger after he won the Kentucky Derby with Street Sense; Jerry Hollendorfer, who's one of the all time leading trainers in races won; Neil Howard after Grasshopper finished second in the Travers, Russell Baze who's the all time leading jockey in races won, after he broke Laffit Pincay's record; jockey Cornelio Velasquez who rode War Pass to victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile; Calvin Borel who is Street Sense's jockey, after he won the Kentucky Derby; and Barbaro's jockey Edgar Prado, who was very gracious; Rogers Beasley, the director of racing at Keeneland; Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza and television analysts Jeannine Edwards and Jan Rushton."

Larry Michael, "The Voice of the Washington Redskins" who is the senior vice president and executive producer of media for the Washington Redskins has also been a guest on Darlington's show. "His parents used to bring him to the races, when he was a kid at Charles Town," said Darlington. He's also had Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone on his show.

"There are a couple of female riders at Charles Town, and I wanted to promote female jockeys," said Darlington.

Darlington co-hosted a show with Cecil Atchley on Joy 102.7 in Aiken. The show went on the air in December 1994.

Darlington conditioned a number of stakes winning horses in his career, including Love Sign and Native Courier, and when breaking and training horses in Aiken for Buckland Farm, he conditioned the 1991 Eclipse Award winning 2 year-old filly Pleasant Stage, the 1992 Eclipse Award winning Older Male Pleasant Tap, and stakes winners Colonial Waters and Seattle Meteor among others.

"Ron Anderson, Garrett Gomez's agent, and Jerry Bailey's former agent, has been very supportive and has really helped me with the radio show," said Darlington, who continues to clock horses and works in the office at Charles Town as the claims clerk.

11/ 1/2007 - Dogwood Stable's Cotton Blossom, the exceptional multiple graded stakes winning daughter of Broken Vow who captured the Grade One Acorn Stakes earlier this year at Belmont Park, has been entered into the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Mixed Sale.

"Cotton Blossom will be going through the sale on Sunday," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. "I'll be going to Kentucky Friday, and we'll be there when she sells at about 6 p.m. They have an incredible assortment of fillies going through the sales ring that afternoon, including Dream Rush and Octave."

A half-sister to graded stakes winner Vicarage, Cotton Blossom won the Grade Three Schuylerville Stakes as a juvenile and the Florida Oaks and Grade One Acorn Stakes during her sophomore campaign.

"Cotton Blossom is by Broken Vow, who's a leading sire, and she's a grand looking, big mare, who won 750,000, including a Grade One stakes. She has all the ingredients to be a successful broodmare," said Campbell. "I'll meet with the Three Chimneys people on Sunday morning to establish a reserve, and I think she'll sell way up in the seven figures. Dogwood will have trouble participating in purchasing her offspring, her babies will bring so much. We'll miss having her in the barn. It's nice to think about them going onto a wonderful life."

An EHV-1 (Equine Herpes Virus subtype 1) outbreak at barn 47 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., impacted a number of Dogwood Stable horses.

"The outbreak shut down our midwest division, it affected seven Dogwood horses," said Campbell. "One horse, Dan McGrew, ran at Keeneland, and came back to the barn at Churchill Downs."

Dan McGrew returned to training three days after returning to Lousiville, and on his first day of training he collapsed and then collapsed again. The 3-year-old son of Smart Strike was rushed to the veterinarian clinic at Hagyard, Davidson and McGhee (Equine Hospital), said Campbell. The dark bay colt finished second in his last start a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf Oct. 20 at Keeneland. From nine starts, Dan McGrew has won two races, placed second twice and finished third once, en route to bankrolling 51,236.

"He tested positive for EHV-1 (Equine Herpes Virus type one)," said Campbell. "It strikes the neurological and respiratory systems and can cause mares to abort. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture stepped in as they do and quarantined the whole barn. He's going to leave the veterinary clinic on Friday or Saturday."

Trainer David Carroll had 19 horses (including the seven Dogwood horses) in the barn and Albert Stall Jr. had 16, said Campbell.

"One of the horses who was in the barn was Blackberry Road, who was one of the favorites for the Grade Three Iroquois Stakes at Churchill this past Sunday," said Campbell. "We haven't been able to train. Today, we'll be able to train after the last race from 5:30 p.m. until after dark. Next Tuesday (Nov.6), if all of the horses in the barn test negative, we'll be able to train with the general population the next day. Blackberry Road will train up to the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Nov. 24, a 1 1/16-miles Grade Two 250,000 Stakes race."

10/30/2007 - Nekia Farm's Confederate Bond, who won the Iselin Hall of Fame Cup at the 2007 Aiken Trials, won a 6-furlong race at Delaware Park on Oct. 22. The Steve Epley, Jr. charge was ridden to victory by Rosemary B. Homeister, Jr.

Stonerside Stable's Rich Hero broke his maiden by 1 3/4-lengths in a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf Sunday at Churchill Downs. The chestnut colt is by Maria's Mon, the Eclipse Award winning Two-Year-Old Colt of 1995. Rich Hero is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones.

Hermen Greenberg's Rutledge Cat won a 7-furlong allowance race by splitting horses in the stretch and drawing off to win by a 4 1/2-length margin Thursday at Keeneland. The 3-year-old son of Grade Two winner Tale of the Cat is conditioned by Graham Motion, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Donald Newman's Vain Vixen won the 6 1/2-furlong Donna Freyer Stakes, the filly division of the South Carolina Residency Races, Sunday at Philadelphia Park. The 2-year-old New York-bred filly is by Good and Tough, and is trained by Thomas Bush.

Hamilton Smith's Izzy Speaking wired the field in the 6 1/2-furlong Christopher Elser Memorial Stakes, the South Carolina Residency Races colt and gelding division, by 4 1/4-lengths Sunday afternoon at Philadelphia Park. The 2-year-old gelding is by Grade Two winner Partner's Hero. Smith also conditions the horse.

Spring Hill Farm's Pleasant Strike finished second in the 1 1/16-miles Rutgers University Stakes on the turf Wednesday at Monmouth Park. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained by Stevens. Edward Evans' Intentional Fever placed second Saturday in the 6-furlong Miss Woodford Stakes at Monmouth Park. The Anthony Dutrow charge was also broken and trained by Stevens.

The Steve Klesaris trained Truly Yours placed second in a 1 1/16-miles maiden special weight race Wednesday at Delaware Park. The juvenile colt races in the silks of Fox Hill Farms, and was broken and trained by Stevens.

The Mike Keogh trained Upton Park ran second in a 1 1/16-miles race Sunday at Woodbine. Sam Kasim and Eli Gindi's Anakim finished third Sunday in the Grade Three one-mile Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct. The son of Giant's Causeway is trained by John Kimmel, and was broken and trained by Stevens.

"I was a little disappointed in his (Anakim's) performance, the winner was impressive, and I thought he would be an easy second," said Kimmel, Tuesday afternoon in a phone interview. "We're going to put some equipment on him, he was losing his focus. It was tough pulling him up. The horse left a lot of energy out on the racetrack. We're going to put blinkers on him, and run him back in the Remsen Stakes."

Stonerside Stable's Skylighter finished third last Wednesday in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Aqueduct.

10/28/2007 - Stonerside Stable's Sea Chanter, who finished second in this year's Gaver Trophy in the Aiken Trials, won the 1-mile Epitome Breeders' Cup Stakes on the turf Friday at Monmouth Park

. The 2-year-old daughter of the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile winner War Chant, out of the Easy Goer broodmare Smooth Charmer, won by three quarters of a length. The Todd Pletcher-charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

Fox Ridge Farm's Taysteville devastated the field Saturday in the 7-furlong Grade Three Sport Page Handicap at Aqueduct.

The Patrick Kelly-charge won by daylight, scoring a 9 1/4-length victory. The 4-year-old gelded son of the 1989 Canadian Triple Crown winner With Approval was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff. The two Stonerside horses who ran in this weekend's Breeders' Cup had mixed success.

Texas Fever, a half-brother to another Stonerside runner, stakes winner Bold Angel, placed sixth in the one-mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Stakes Friday at Monmouth Park. The bay colt closed in the stretch to rally and finished strong. The son of 1998 Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop captured the Grade Three Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes, Sept. 29.

Argentina (IRE) seized the lead in the backstretch and showed her determination before fading to ninth in the 1 3/8-miles Grade One Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Saturday afternoon at Monmouth Park.

10/24/2007 - Out with the old and in with the new. The Aiken Training Track is in the process of having a new inner rail installed. The removal process of the existing inner rail started Monday. "We're grading along the inside rail, and we're putting a board in to reduce washout problems," said Bernadette Clayton, Aiken Training Track treasurer.

Horsemen's Track and Equipment, Inc., Louisville, Ky., is installing the new inner rail, after the Aiken Training Track's Board of Directors approved its installation.

"This is one more step to upgrade the facility," said Clayton. The finishing touches are also being put on the new tractor shed. The City of Aiken Design and Review Board granted approval for building of a new tractor shed in early July. Hoover Builders of Lexington, S.C., built the new structure.

"The sewer and water line hookups for the tractor shed were completed today (Tuesday)," said Clayton.

The new inner rail and tractor shed, along with the completion of the new 36-stall barn this past December, are part of the Aiken Training Track's proactive approach toward improving the facility.

10/23/2007 - Stonerside Stable will have two horses starting in this weekend's Breeders' Cup races. Texas Fever, who's by the 1998 Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop, out of the Forty Niner broodmare Fortyniner Fever, will go to post on Friday at Monmouth Park in the Breeders' Cup JuvenileTurf.

The 2-year-old bay colt comes into the race after capturing the 1 1/16-miles Grade Three Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes at Turfway Park on Sept. 29, after breaking his maiden easily in a 6-furlong race at Arlington Park by 5 3/4-lengths. The Mike Stidham charge will have a new jockey in the irons for Friday's contest, leading rider Garrett Gomez has drawn the assignment. This will be Texas Fever's first race on the turf, his first four races were all on Polytrack (a synthetic surface).

Texas Fever worked 5-furlongs this past Saturday, in 1:01 2/5-seconds, under assistant trainer Hilary Pridham. Texas Fever from four starts, has two wins, and placed third once, bankrolling 80,460. Texas Fever was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones.

Stonerside's Argentina, a 5-year-old Irish-bred daughter of Saddler's Wells, out of the Woodman broodmare Airline, will contest the 2 Million 1 3/8-miles Emirates Airlines Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares Turf at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on Saturday. The bay mare is trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bobby Frankel, and will have three time Eclipse Award winning jockey and Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux in the irons. Argentina (IRE) is a stakes tested veteran, and finished second in the 1 1/8-miles Grade One Diana on the turf at Saratoga on July 28, and from 14 career starts, has two wins, placed second five times, and finished third three times.

She worked 6-furlongs Sunday at Belmont Park in 1:17.

Another Stonerside entry will run Friday at Monmouth Park in the Epitome Stakes. Sea Chanter, who placed second in the 2007 Aiken Trials in The Gaver Trophy, will make her fifth career start. The 2-year-old daughter of the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile winner War Chant, is out of the Easy Goer broodmare, the stakes placed Smooth Charmer. Sea Chanter broke her maiden by 6 3/4-lengths at first asking, and placed second in her last start the Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park, Sept. 30. Sea Chanter was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

It was a good weekend for locally trained horses as five more placed in stakes races over the weekend. Dogwood Stable's Prince Rahy finished third in the 1 3/8-miles Awad Stakes on the turf Thursday at Belmont Park. Prince Rahy was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens. Fox Ridge Farm's Planets Aligned finished third in the Grade One Foxbrook Supreme Hurdle Stakes Saturday at Far Hills. Planets Aligned was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff. Edward Evans' Mini Sermon placed third Saturday in the 7-furlong Grade Two Lexus Raven Run Stakes Saturday at Keeneland. Mini Sermon was broken and trained by Ron Stevens. Lansdon Robbins, III and Peter Callahan's Ice Cool Kitty placed third in the 7-furlong Iroquois Stakes Saturday at Belmont Park. Spring Hill Farm's Sumptuous placed third in the 6-furlong Prom Stakes Friday night at the Meadowlands. Both Ice Cool Kitty and Sumptuous were broken and trained by Stevens.

10/21/2007 - Spring Hill Farm's Nite Light lit up the toteboard with a 2 3/4-length victory in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race Sunday at Belmont Park.

The 3-year-old son of the 1995 dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch, out of multiple grade one winning Majestic Light broodmare, Lite Light, was clearly the best in the field of seven horses. The bay colt is conditioned by Todd Pletcher, and was broken and trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Fox Hill Farm's Eagle's Song soared through the stretch to break her maiden by 2 1/2-lengths Saturday at Delaware Park.

The 2-year-old filly by Grade Two winner Proud Citizen is trained by J. Larry Jones. It was also the 5,992 victory of jockey Mario Pino's career. Eagle's Song was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Jacob's Run finished second Saturday in the 6-furlong Sonny Hine Stakes at Laurel Park.

The bay colt by Gulch, out of the Cure the Blues broodmare Cozy Blues races in the silks of Dogwood Plantation and is conditioned by Leigh Delacour. Jacob's Run was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stable's Gene and Kelly Tucker.

Dogwood Stable's Atoned continues to impress with a second place finish in the 1 1/16-miles Dover Stakes Saturday at Delaware Park.

The 2-year-old Florida-bred son of Repent, is conditioned by Pletcher, and has won or placed in each of his three starts in stakes. Atoned was trained in Aiken by Stevens, and increased his bankroll to 98,507.

Linda's Lace continues to demonstrate her consistency, finishing second Saturday in the six-furlong Merrillville Stakes at Hoosier Park.

The 4-year-old daughter of Marshall Lamb's stallion Is Sveikatas, is owned and trained by Robert Zahl.

Dogwood Stable's Dangerous Dan McGrew proved to be trouble in a 1 1/16-miles allowance race on the turf Saturday at Keeneland for all in the nine horse field but eventual winner Chestermite.

The David Carroll-charge went eight wide, and was flying through the stretch to place second. The 3-year-old son of Smart Strike was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Stonerside Stable saw three 2-year-olds finish second this past week. Cosmic Belle, a 2-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid finished second Saturday at Keeneland; Bob's Star ran second Friday in a 6-furlong race at Keeneland and Colonel Tom placed second Saturday at Hawthorne. Cosmic Belle, Bob's Star and Colonel Tom were all broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones.

Spring Hill Farm's Serious Fever finished second in a 6-furlong allowance race Saturday at Philadelphia Park.

The Anthony Dutrow-charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Rough Water and Fox Hill Farm's Eight Belles ran second and third in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race last Monday at Delaware Park. Both horses were broken and trained by Stevens.

Fox Tree Farm's Moonlight Aria finished second Friday in a one mile and 70 yard-allowance race at the Meadowlands. Glenn Thompson conditions Moonlight Aria.

Million Pieces, who Thompson also conditions, and owns in partnership with White Dove Stable finished second Wednesday in a 6-furlong race at the Meadowlands.

10/16/2007 - Stonerside Stable’s General Charley captured his third stakes of 2007, and established a new track record in capturing the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes covering the 1 1/16-miles on the turf in 1:40:65, and winning by a length Saturday evening at Retama Park in San Antonio, Texas. The son of multiple graded stakes winner Truluck, General Charley won the fourth stakes race of his career, in addition to winning the Texas Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, the Mike Stidham charge won the Tomball Stakes at Sam Houston Park, and the Brooksfields Stakes at Canterbury Park earlier this year. The five year-old chestnut horse scored his first stakes win in 2005, winning the Texas Stallion Stakes. General Charley from 22 lifetime starts, has six wins, has placed second twice, and finished third four times, en route to bankrolling $297,055. General Charley was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable’s Tim Jones.

Spring Hill Farm’s Marital Asset, who was just transferred to the barn of Anthony Dutrow, after making the first ten starts of his career for Mark Hennig, won a seven-furlong allowance race at Philadelphia Park, Oct. 9. The 4 year-old son of A.P. Indy is out of the Silver Ghost broodmare Marital Spook, the dam of Grade One winner Yonaguska, Grade Three winner Halo Homewrecker, and stakes winner Call It Off. Marital Asset from 11 starts, has 2 wins, placed second three times, finished third three times, and has earned $89,899. Marital Asset was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

“I’m very happy with him, he came out of the race good,” said Dutrow, in a phone interview last Wednesday. “He’ll run back in an allowance race, he gets along real well at Philadelphia Park, or possibly in an allowance race at Aqueduct.”

Fox Hill Farms’ Houndslake won a one-mile race Thursday at Delaware Park. The three year-old son of the 1995 Eclipse Award winning Two Year-Old Colt Maria’s Mon, was bred by Manchester Farm’s Mike Rutherford. Houndslake was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Stonerside Stable’s Zuella won a six-furlong allowance race by five-lengths Thursday at Hawthorne. The two year-old bay filly is by Grade One winner Forestry, out of the Seattle Slew broodmare Zarzuela. Mike Stidham conditions the bay filly. Zuella was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable’s Tim Jones.

Fox Ridge Farm’s Stormy Winter broke her maiden in a six-furlong race by 1 ¼-lenghts Sunday at Belmont Park. The three year-old Florida-bred daughter of multiple stakes winner Stormy Atlantic is conditioned by Pat Kelly, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Spring Hill Farm’s Dorm Fever finished second Friday in the seven-furlong Life’s Magic Stakes at Belmont Park; Manchester Farm’s Orange Crush finished second in a 5 ½-furlong race last Tuesday at Mountaineer Park; Lynn Carlisle’s Hark finished second in a 1 1/8-miles race Saturday at Keeneland; Alan Young’s Chime Choir finished second in a 2 1/8-miles race over hurdles, Oct. 7 at Middleburg; Charles Robinson’s Editor’s Column finished second in a one-mile race Saturday at Delaware Park; Edward Evans’ Rap Tale finished second in a one-mile and 70 yards race Wednesday at the Meadowlands and Fox Tree Farm’s Nawratel finished second in a 1 1/16-miles race Friday at the Meadowlands.

10/10/2007 - It was another solid weekend for horses who've trained in Aiken. Sumptuous won a six-furlong maiden special weight race at the Meadowlands, Oct. 2. The 2-year-old filly by Grade One winner Hennessy won the race by 1 3/4-lengths. The Todd Pletcher charge races in the silks of Edward Evans, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Clinton Wolfe's Dancin' Dixie Cat, a 2-year-old colt by the 2002 Champion Two Year-Old Colt in Europe, Hold That Tiger, broke his maiden by two lengths in a seven-furlong maiden special weight race at Charles Town on Oct. 4. The Tim Seeger charge was broken and trained by Stevens.

Hermen Greenberg's Researcher won a 6 1/2-furlong allowance race at Charles Town on Oct 5. The 3-year-old gelding by Two Smart is conditioned by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained by Stevens. Bob Zahl's Linda's Lace came from way off the pace, rallying under a furious drive in the stretch and drew off to win by four lengths in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance race at Hoosier Park on Oct. 5. The 4-year-old daughter of Marshall Lamb's stallion, Is Sveikatas, is also trained by Zahl.

Aiken Trials Alumnus, Dogwood Stable's Blotto crushed the field in a one-mile race at the Meadowlands on Oct. 4, winning by daylight, conquering his rivals by 10 3/4-lengths. The 4-year-old son of Hennessy is conditioned by Leigh Delacour, and was broken and trained by Stevens.

Gregory D. Hawkins' Cripple Creek, who finished second in The City Of Aiken Trophy during the 63rd running of the Aiken Trials in 2005, won a six-furlong allowance race on the turf at Laurel. The 8-year-old gelded son of Carson City is trained by Janet Elliot.

Camelia Casby's Law Enforcement placed second in the six-furlong New York Breeders' Futurity at Finger Lakes on Oct. 6. The New York-bred filly is trained by Mark Hennig, and was broken and trained by Stevens. Steve Epley, Jr.'s Taber's Tiger finished second in a five-furlong race on the turf at Delaware Park on Oct. 7. Marc Keller's Bribon (FR) finished second in a one-mile allowance race at Belmont Park, Oct. 8. Robert Ribaudo trains Bribon (FR) who spent time at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Private Nekia, who won the 2005 Coward Trophy during the 63rd running of the Aiken Trials, finished second in a 6 1/2-fulrong race Oct. 5, at Charles Town.

10/08/2007- The Aiken Training Track has produced its third Grade One winner in 2007 as Stonerside Stable's Country Star broke her maiden in just her second start by making a powerful move in the stretch, and under urging from jockey Rafael Bejarano, dusted off rivals to win the 1 1/16-miles Grade One Alcibiades Stakes Friday afternoon, the opening day of the fall meet at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

Stonerside Stable's trainer in Aiken, Tim Jones, broke and trained the juvenile winner. Country Star is a 2-year-old daughter of Classic and Multiple Grade One winner Empire Maker, who won nearly $2 Million, and is out of the Metfield broodmare Rings a Chime, who won the Grade One Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, and would bankroll $606,315.

It was the second start of Country Star's juvenile campaign. The dark bay filly is trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Bobby Frankel, and had placed second in her first start, a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf at Belmont Park on Sept. 20, demonstrating her versatility of being able to run on both the dirt and the turf.

"She ran really well, and we're very excited about her," said John Adger, Stonerside racing and bloodstock manager. "We believe she's going to be a real special filly."

With her victory in the Grade One Alcibiades, Country Star increased her lifetime earnings to $320,600. Stonerside Stable's Sea Chanter, who finished second in last week's Miss Grillo Stakes, and increased her bankroll to $48,277, will not be pointed toward the Breeders' Cup, said Adger. Sea Chanter finished second in The Gaver Trophy during the Aiken Trials. Tim Jones broke and trained Sea Chanter in Aiken.

"Todd (Pletcher, Sea Chanter's trainer) is looking at a $250,000 stakes Breeders' Cup day or the day before on the grass at Monmouth Park," said Adger.

Another Stonerside runner, who won the Grade Three Kentucky Cup Juvenile Classic last week, Texas Fever, will work on the grass this week, and if all goes well, may be pointed toward the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, said Adger.

Texas Fever was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

10/5/2007 - Horses have enjoyed a great deal of success training at the Aiken Training Track and continue to do so. A total of 38 champions have been conditioned over the hallowed surface. The training facility continues to enjoy international acclaim, and more than 20 horses who were conditioned over the track have won stakes races in 2007.

The training track has applied a positive and proactive approach toward making the necessary modifications to improve the facility with its objective focused firmly on the future. The recent construction of a new 36-stall barn was finished in December 2006.

The City of Aiken Design Review Board granted approval for the building of a new tractor shed in early July, and the structure built by Hoover Builders of Lexington is nearly complete, said Bernadette Clayton, Aiken Training Track treasurer. The colors of the new tractor shed blend in with the surrounding environment.

"The tractor shed is nearly 95 percent complete; we're waiting for the last power inspection," Clayton said. "The City also has do a water and sewer hookup."

The tractor shed will help improve the appearance of the Aiken Training Track, said Jeffrey T. Minton, Aiken Training Track executive director.

"We'll be able to move the equipment that's been sitting in the parking lot in front of the Aiken Training track office to the tractor shed," Minton said. "We're pleased with the new tractor shed.

10/2/2007 - Stonerside Stable's Texas Fever won the Grade Three 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes Saturday by a neck at Turfway Park. A half-brother to stakes winner Bold Angel, Texas Fever is by the 1998 Belmont Stakes winner Victory Gallop, out of the Forty Niner broodmare Fortyniner Fever.

Texas Fever was ridden to victory by Julien Leparoux, and is conditioned by Mike Stidham. Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones broke and trained Texas Fever.

Dogwood Stable's Blackberry Road finished third in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes. David Carroll conditions the dark bay son ofGone West. Blackberry Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Lansdon Robbins and Kevin Callahan's Ice Cool Kitty won her third stakes race of 2007, the seven-furlong Floral Park Stakes by 3 1/4-lengths Thursday at Belmont Park. The 4-year-old New York-bred filly is by Tomorrows Cat, out of the Dispersal broodmare Icy Chris. Ice Cool Kitty is conditioned by Richard Dutrow, Jr., and was broken and trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

W.C. Freeman's Defrizz won a six-furlong allowance race on the turf by a head Saturday at Belmont Park. The dark bay gelding is by multiple graded stakes winner Rizzi, and is an alumnus of the Aiken Trials. Defrizz was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Steve Epley, Jr.'s Taber's Tiger won a five-furlong starter allowance race on the turf Saturday at Philadelphia Park. The 5-year-old South Carolina-bred gelding collared the lead in the stretch and won by 1 1/2-lengths.

Fox Hill Farm's Basket Stitch broke her maiden by 4 1/2-lengths in a one-mile and 70 yards race Sunday at Delaware Park. A precocious daughter of two time Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow, Basket Stitch is conditioned by Steve Klesaris and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Stonerside Stable's Cowboy Cal, a 2-year-old son of the 2000 Champion ThreeYear-Old Colt in England and Ireland, Giant's Causeway, broke his maiden impressively, winning a one-mile race at Belmont Park Wednesday by 4 1/4-lengths. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

Ralph Murray's Snuckintheforest broke his maiden Sunday, collaring the lead in deep stretch to win by a half-length at Charles Town. The Florida-bred two year-old gelded son of graded stakes winner Snuck In, is conditioned and was broken and trained in Aiken by Danny Furr.

Meadow Springs Stable, Thomas Moran and Dattt Stable's John's Song won a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf by a length at the Meadowlands. The Phil Serpe charge had trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Stonerside Stable's Sea Chanter, another Aiken Trials alumnus placed second in the 1 1 /16-miles Miss Grillo Stakes on the turf Sunday at Belmont Park. The two year-old bay daughter of the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile winner War Chant is conditioned by Todd Pletcher. Sea Chanter was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

9/26/2007 - Aiken Trial alumnus Confederate Bond broke her maiden by 6 1/2-lengths in a 5 1/2-furlong race on Sept. 18 at Delaware Park. The 3-year-old filly by Broken Vow, out of the Dixieland Band mare, Rebel Account was broken and trained in Aiken by Steve Epley, Jr., and is campaigned by Nekia Farms.

Another alumnus from the Aiken Trials, Lingote de Ouro (BRZ), won at 1 3/8-miles on the turf at the Meadowlands last Thursday. The 7-year-old son of Fast Gold out of the Seattle Dancer broodmare Darling Dame won by a length for owner Acorn Hill Farm and trainer John Fisher. The dark bay gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Stonerside Stable's Charity Quest broke her maiden by 3 1/4-lengths in a 1 1/16-miles race at Woodbine on Saturday. Sovereign Award winning conditioner Mark Casse trains the chestnut daughter of Coronado's Quest. The 3-year-old filly has now earned 97,372. Charity Quest was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

Jeffrey Tucker's Ernie's Choice won a six-furlong allowance race by two-lengths at Finger Lakes last Thursday. The 5-year-old gelded son of Grade One winning millionaire Lite the Fuse is conditioned by John Morrison and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Vettriano (IRE) established a new track record for a one-mile-and-70-yards track at Presque Island Downs, Sept. 19. The 7-year-old gelded son of Danetime (IRE) won by 1 1/4-lengths with jockey Rosemary B. Homeister, Jr. in the irons. Vettriano (IRE) races in the silks of Jeffrey Tucker, and is trained by John Morrison. Vettriano (IRE) also trained Chime Bell Farm.

Peter Schiff's Fox Ridge Farm's Tasteyville finished second Saturday in the Grade Two 1 1/8-miles Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park. The 4-year-old gelding is by the 1989 Canadian Triple Crown winner With Approval. The Patrick Kelly charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Dogwood Stable's Atoned finished second by a nose in the one-mile Whirling Ash Stakes at Delaware Park on Sept. 17. The Florida-bred son of Multiple graded stakes winner Repent is conditioned by Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher. Atoned was trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Fox Ridge Farm's Planets Aligned finished second in the Grade Two 2 1/2-miles Somerset Medical Center Hurdle Stakes last Friday night at the Meadowlands. Planets Aligned is conditioned by Tom Voss, and the 6-year-old gelding is by Gold Fever, out of the Deputy Minister broodmare Flying Minister. Planets Aligned was broken and trained in Aiken by Cluff.

Several other horses who have trained in Aiken, or are owned by residents of Aiken, placed second in races recently, including Robert Zahl's Linda's Lace at Hoosier Park Sept. 19; Lynn Carlisle's Hawk at Turfway Park on Sept. 14; Dogwood Stable's Admiral Bird at Belmont Park on Sept. 21; Randall Davidson's and Bruce Murphy's Liquoreux at Turfway Park, Sept. 19; Stonerside Stable's Country Star at Belmont Park, Sept. 20; Ocean View's Stables Midnight Express at the Meadowlands, Sept 18; Spring Hill Farm's Maria's Dance at the Meadowlands, Sept. 18; Spring Hill Farm's Nite Light at Belmont Park, Sept. 20 and Jeffrey Tucker and Very Un Stable's Imelda Blue at Suffolk Downs, Sept. 22.

9/16/2007 - R.M.C.'s Decew Falls won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race Wednesday at Woodbine. The 5-year-old son of Kiridashi is conditioned by Mike Keogh.

Helen Andrews' Serenity Trail won a 5 1/2-furlong race at Prairie Meadows. The 4-year-old son of Grade One winner El Corredor, was broken and trained in Aiken by Anne Mitchell Pezzano.

Spring Hill Farm's Christmas Dawning won a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race by 2 3/4-lengths at Delaware Park. The 2-year-old Virginia-bred filly is conditioned by Anthony Dutrow, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spritely, a Kentucky-bred bay filly, broke her maiden by 1 3/4-lengths Saturday at Turfway Park in a 5 1/2-furlong race. The 2-year-old daughter of the 1997 Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold, is trained by Todd Pletcher, is campaigned by Spring Hill Farm, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's multiple graded stakes winner Giant Wrecker, a five year-old son of champion Giant's Causeway was second in the 1 1/8-miles Larry R. Riviello President's Cup Stakes on the turf, Saturday at Philadelphia Park. The Mark Hennig-charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

9/09/2007 - For the past 66 years Aiken residents and those in the know about the Thoroughbred industry have recognized the benefit of training horses at the Aiken Training Track, and the impact of the Aiken Trials, a series of races first run in 1942.

A number of horses, including champions, Classic winners and stakes winners have used the Aiken Trials to prepare for their careers at the racetrack, or have used the event as a prep before returning to the races.

Now, the Aiken Trials has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Events for the month of March 2008.

The Aiken Trials were recognized in a letter dated August 21, 2007, sent to the Aiken Training Track executive director Jeffrey T. Minton by Southeast Tourism Society president and CEO William T. Hardman.

According to Hardman, the Top 20 events receive a great deal of exposure from different media outlet, in the United States and Canada.

The Southeast Tourism Society is composed of 11 states, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The Aiken Trials is the first jewel in Aiken's Triple Crown, and has continued to attract fan interest for more than six decades. The event itself is rich in tradition and history, and celebrates the sport of Thoroughbred racing. The facility itself is located in Aiken's historic horse district, and has left an indelible imprint on both residents and horsemen.

The 20 events are listed on the Southeast Tourism Society website, at www.southeasttourism.org, wrote Hardman.

9/10/2007 - They say things happen in threes. Another stakes winner who had trained at the Aiken Training Track has been retired from racing.

Stonerside Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Karen's Caper, who established a new course record earlier this year in winning the Grade Three Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park, has been retired from racing. Dogwood Stable's Grade One winner Cotton Blossom and Stonerside Stable's Grade One winner Bob and John were both retired in August, and now Karen's Caper is officially leaving the track.

The 5-year-old filly won the Grade Three Noble Damsel Stakes during her 4-year-old campaign.

Karen's Caper, in 14 lifetime starts, won four races and placed second five times, retiring with career earnings of 622,113.

Four horses who've trained over the surface at the Aiken Training Track won stakes races at four different tracks during a five-day period this past week.

Camelia Casby's homebred Law Enforcement collared the lead entering the stretch and never looked back, winning by daylight, scoring a 7 1/2-length victory in the 6-furlong Aspirant Stakes at Finger Lakes on Sept. 3.

The 2-year-old, New York-bred colt is by multiple graded stakes winner Posse, out of the Lord At War (ARG) broodmare Zambezi Belle. Law Enforcement is conditioned by Mark Hennig and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Nancy Clark and Fred Heyman's P. Kerney won the 6 1/2-furlong Taking Risks Stakes at Timonium on Sept. 3 by 2 3/4 lengths. The 6-year-old bay gelding by Pleasant Tap was bred by Robert S. Evans. P. Kerney was also broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's homebred Intentional Fever added another stakes win to her growing resume, capturing the five-furlong Walking in Da Sun Stakes at Delaware Park on Sept. 5. The 3-year-old daughter of Grade Two Winner Stormin Fever made a strong move late to win by one length. The Anthony Dutrow charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Naughty New Yorker returned to the winner's circle capturing the 1-mile General Douglas MacArthur Handicap on Sept. 7 by two-lengths at Belmont Park. The 5-year-old horse by Quiet American is owned by Peter Schiff's Fox Ridge Farm and is conditioned by Pat Kelly. The durable campaigner has 10 wins from 37 starts and has won 833,139. Naughty New Yorker was trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

T. Eileen Munyak's The Best Voyage won a six-furlong race by a neck at the Meadowlands Sept. 8. The New Jersey-bred gelding by Defrere was broken and trained in Aiken by Glenn Thompson.

9/03/2007 - Lansdon Robbins, III and Peter Callahan's Ice Cool Kitty won her second stakes of 2007, capturing the 1 1/8-mile Saratoga Dew Stakes last Monday at Saratoga.

The filly had captured the Wendy Walker Stakes earlier in the year at Belmont Park.

The 4-year-old, New York-bred daughter of Tomorrow's Cat took command at the head of the stretch, and drew off to win under a confident ride by Edgar Prado.

Ice Cool Kitty is conditioned by Richard Dutrow, Jr., and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Prom Party danced to the winner's circle, winning a 1 3/16-mile allowance race on the turf Wednesday at Saratoga.

The 3-year-old son of multiple graded stakes winner Pulpit came on strong to win by a neck at the wire.

The Todd Pletcher-charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Rutledge Farm's Royal Prospect won a 4 1/2-furlong allowance race at Charles Town on Sunday.

The 3-year-old daughter of Prospect Bay won by a neck.

The Jeff Runco-charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Terra Farm's Young Dom was en route to wiring the field Wednesday at Woodbine in a 1 3/8-mile race on the turf, when he was bumped by Sam-Son Farm's Safe Landing.

The 4-year-old gelding was placed first after Safe Landing was disqualified. Young Dom was broken and trained in Aiken by Mike Keogh.

Mighty Frio showed her strength by breaking her maiden at Ellis Park Wednesday in a 1-mile race on the turf.

The 4-year-old Pulpit filly is campaigned by Manchester Farm, and is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Mighty Frio was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Ocean View Stable's Exciting Times lived up to his name in breaking his maiden by a head Wednesday in a 6-furlong contest at Monmouth Park.

The 5-year-old gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Glenn Thompson.

Dogwood Stable's Admiral Bird finished second in a 1-mile allowance race on the turf Saturday at Saratoga.

8/28/2007 - My Dear Annie bobbled at the start of the 8th race at Saratoga Sunday August 19th in a 1 1/8-miles race on the turf, but the three year-old filly recovered nicely and was more than up to the challenge, collaring the lead in deep stretch, and drawing off to win by 3/4-lengths. The New York-bred daughter of Smart Strike is owned and was bred by Michael and Patricia Palenscar, was ridden to victory by Javier Castellano and is conditioned by David Donk. My Dear Annie was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup.

"She's a two turn route horse," said Donk, in a phone interview Wednesday morning. "She needs to stretch out. She was in pretty good stalking position. It was a good race for her. We'll see how she stacks up against tougher competition next time out."

It was the 11th start of the dark bay filly's career, and her first victory since breaking her maiden on Oct. 26, 2006 at Aqueduct in a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf with Mike Smith in the irons. My Dear Annie earned blacktype by finishing second in the Salem County Stakes at the Meadowlands on Oct. 7, 2006, prior to breaking her maiden.

The filly had hit the board in her third and fourth lifetime starts at Saratoga and Belmont Park, before becoming stakes placed and prior to her maiden victory during her juvenile campaign.

My Dear Annie had finished third in a 1 1/16-miles race over a turf course labled as firm at Belmont Park on May 27, 2007.

Sunday's win was the first victory for the filly during her sophomore campaign.

"She had a fantastic ride from Javier Castellano," said Suzy Haslup. "She was very professional. Annie will be coming back to Aiken for the winter to receive a little freshening."

My Dear Annie was foaled Feb. 12 2004, and is out of the Formal Gold broodmare Fancy Landing. From 11 lifetime starts, the filly has two wins, placed second twice and finished third twice, and has career earnings of $92,986.

8/27/2007 - Gustav Schickedanz's Last Answer left no questions in the minds of those who were in attendance Sunday afternoon at Woodbine, wiring the field in the 1 1/2-miles Grade Two Nijinsky Stakes on the turf.

The 7-year-old gelding, conditioned by Mike Keogh, won by 3/4-lengths in an all-out drive to claim his first stakes victory.

The durable son of Langfuhr was making his 43rd start, and pushed his lifetime earnings to 889,253.

Planets Aligned has proven to be just as an effective runner going over fences as he had on the flat, capturing the 1 3/8-miles Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes over fences by 1 1/4-lengths Wednesday at Saratoga.

The 6-year-old chestnut gelding is owned by Peter Schiff's Fox Ridge Farm, and is conditioned by Tom Voss. Planets Aligned was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Stonerside Stable's Texas Fever broke his maiden by 5 3/4-lengths in a 6-furlong maiden special weight race Saturday at Arlington Park.

The 2-year-old son of Victory Gallop is trained by Mike Stidham, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones.

Other Aiken-trained horses who found the winner's circle this past week include Dogwood Stable's Philharmonic, Ocean View Stable's Moonlight Watch, Charles Robinson's Editor's Column, Helen Andrews' Roy Jack, Rutledge Farm's Mr. Emancipator, and Lansdon Robbins, III and Bruce Lunsford's Rue de Vie.

8/24/2007 -The 2006 Aiken-Trained Horse of the Year, Bob and John, has been retired, and will stand the 2008 season as a stallion at Pin Oak Stud in Versailles, Ky. The four year-old son of Seeking the Gold, won or placed in stakes at ages 2, 3 and 4.

Bob and John captured the 1 1/8-miles Grade Three Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park during his sophomore campaign on Feb. 4. The Bob Baffert charge would eventually go on to win the 1 1/8-miles Grade One Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

Bob and John's four year-old debut was a strong effort as the dark bay colt placed second in the Grade Three Texas Mile at Lone Star Park. He would end his career on a winning note, capturing the 1 1/16-miles Grade Three Lone Star Park Handicap.

Bob and John was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

"We're excited about the fact Bob and John will join the stallion roster at Pin Oak Stud," said John Adger, Stonerside Stable racing and bloodstock manager, in a phone interview Thursday morning. "We have a very good relationship with Mrs. Abercrombie and the farm manager Cliff Barry. We're partners in two stallions standing at Pin Oak, Maria's Mon and Sky Classic. There were several farms interested in Bob and John, and this is the perfect spot."

Bob and John arrived at Pin Oak Stud last Friday, said Pin Oak Stud farm manager Cliff Barry. Bob and John joins a stallion roster that includes Eclipse Award winner Maria's Mon and Sky Classic, and multiple graded stakes winner Broken Vow, who is the sire of recently retired Grade One winner, Dogwood Stable's Cotton Blossom.

"He falls into the parameters of what we look for in a young stallion at Pin Oak," said Barry, in a phone interview Thursday afternoon. "He's a physical type of animal who will appeal to a lot of breeders. He's from an exceptional sire family, and has the race record to match. We're very excited about this new part of his career. He's going through the isolation process after coming off the racetrack. There's a let down process that will take about 30 days. He's a kind horse to be around. He's taking everything in stride at present."

The Kentucky-bred colt is by multiple Grade One winner Seeking the Gold, who earned 2,307,000, and is out of the Deputy Minister broodmare, graded stakes winner Minister's Melody, who was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Bob and John from 14 career starts, won five races, placed second three times, and finished third three times, en route to bankrolling 996,330.

Bob and John's stud fee has yet to be announced.

8/20/2007 - Dogwood Stable's Atoned made it two wins in a row, and made it look easy in winning the Continental Mile Stakes Saturday at Monmouth Park.

The 2-year-old dark bay colt collared the lead entering the stretch and dusted off his rivals to win handily by three lengths.

The Florida-bred was the first winner sired by the stallion Repent, and now Atoned is the multiple graded stakes winning millionaire's first stakes winner. Dogwood Stable purchased the juvenile colt for $165,000 at the 2007 February Select Ocala Breeders' Sales Company 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale from the consignment of Niall Brennan.

Lansdon Robbins, III's homebred Ling Ling Qi, who finished third in his last start, broke his maiden in a 6-furlong contest by 2 3/4-lengths Saturday at Ellis Park.

The son of Grade One winner Yonaguska, Ling Ling Qi is trained by Ken McPeek. Ling Ling Qi was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Yellow Flag unfurled to break her maiden Saturday afternoon in a 1-mile race at Ellis Park.

The daughter of Our Emblem drew off to win by a length under jockey James Theriot.

The Manchester Farm homebred is conditioned by Bernard Flint. Yellow Flag was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Royal Prospect wired the field, winning by 4 1/2-lengths, in a 4 1/2-furlong race Saturday evening at Charles Town.

The 3-year-old filly is trained by Jeff Runco, and is owned by Hermen Greenberg's Rutledge Farm. Royal Prospect was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Pulla Fast One broke his maiden in a 1 1 /16-miles race on the turf Sunday at Saratoga.

The 2-year-old chestnut colt by More Than Ready is trained by George Weaver, and was trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Rutledge Punch won a 6 1/2-furlong race Sunday at Charles Town.

The 6-year-old gelding gained the lead in deep stretch to win by a half length. The Maryland-bred races in the silks of Rutledge Farm and is trained by Jeff Runco. Rutledge Punch was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Nite Light placed second in a 2-mile allowance race Saturday at Saratoga.

The 3-year-old colt is campaigned by Spring Hill Farm and is trained by Todd Pletcher. Nite Light was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Marc Keller's Bribon (FR) finished second in a 6 1/2-furlong race Sunday at Saratoga.

The Robert Ribaudo-charge had trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

8/19/2007 - A respected horseman, known for his skill, talent and likable personality, lost his courageous battle with cancer Friday evening. David L. MacLean passed away at his home in Orangeville, Ont., Canada.

A fixture at the Aiken Training Track, MacLean first started training over the surface in 1979.

"He was a fun guy to be around, he was always smiling," said Cliff Wood, who was MacLean's assistant trainer for six years. "We had about 65 horses in training, and 12 or 13 different riders. We would gallop the horses, and than stay on them for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. He would take Rule Sixteen to Hitchcock Woods and gallop him. He was a good rider. He taught me about class, the way to do things right, and how to treat people and horses. Dave was always first class. When we went out to dinner, he would always insist on buying dinner. We always went to the paddock in suits and ties. He always made sure you had health insurance and that we got staked and that we had days off. We had a lot of good horses, including Danish Pastry, a lot of good Illinois-breds. He loved the racetrack and he loved Aiken."

Friends remembered MacLean for his courage and his commitment to the sport.

"Dave lived with us (Doug and Pam O'Neill) for the last three months he was here in Aiken," said Don O'Neil, Two Magnolia Farms. "He was with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He was like family. I only knew Dave for a year and a-half. He really cared about the horses. He had great owners in Michael Loughry and Gerry Morello. He made sure the horses were taken care of, even when he was too sick, he hired an assistant trainer. He tried to get to the racetrack as much as he could, he still engaged the horses, he could recognize and identify problems. He was an amazing fellow."

Thoroughbred trainer Mike Keogh and MacLean were colleagues and friends, and had great respect for one another.

"We were friends for quite a long time, he was a good trainer, who really cared about his horses, and his horses looked great," said Keogh. "His home was always open to both myself and my wife. My wife, Lou, used to rub horses for Dave, including Mrs. Specklewing (who finished second in the 1985 Ontario Fashion Handicap and third in the 1984 edition of the same race), a stakes horse Dave trained."

MacLean conditioned a number of talented horses and stakes winners during his career, including Norcliffe Stable's Corseque, who captured the 1985 Seagram Cup Handicap and the 1986 Connaught Cup Stakes at Woodbine; the Canadian Maturity Stakes at Woodbine on June 1, 1986, with Norcliffe Stable's Kazbek; He captured the Grade Three Equipoise Mile Handicap at Arlington Park on May 24, 1992, with Katahaula County; and would win the Colin Stakes at Woodbine and Arch Ward Breeders' Cup Stakes at Arlington Park in 1992 with Rule Sixteen. He conditioned Olden Rijn to win the Hanshin Handicap and Office Wife Stakes at Arlington Park in 1993; Once a Sailor was victorious in the F.W. Gaudin Memorial Handicap at the Fair Grounds in 1995, and the Colonel Power Stakes in 1996; and MacLean trained Flashy Dr. Don to win the Bold Ruckus Stakes at Woodbine on June 7, 2000.

"He was always upbeat, a fun person, a dedicated horseman and a dependable friend," said Billy Bernard, Thoroughbred trainer.

He trained for many of the sport's most prominent owners, including Frank Stronach, Richard Duchossois, Bruce Duchossois and Norcliffe Stable.

"Dave was always personable, cooperative, friendly and a great guy to be around, he had a lot of success as a trainer and was a great asset to the training track," said Ron Stevens, Legacy Stables.

MacLean won a race this July with Gerry Morello and Michael Loughry's Onemorebourbon.

"He was a terrific horseman and quite a gentleman," said Rachel Hill.

He is survived by his wife, Tess, and sons, Tagan "Tug" and Kelly.

MacLean will be cremated. A memorial service will be held Wednesday in Orangeville, Ont., Canada.

8/18/2007 - It may be hot today but it will be a lot warmer tomorrow as Jay Em Ess Stable's Arson Squad returns to action in the 1 1/4-miles Grade One Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

The Bruce Headley charge won the Grade Two Strub Stakes in February. The 4-year-old gelded son of Grade One and Group One winner Brahms, captured the Grade Two Swaps Breeders' Cup Stakes during his sophomore campaign.

The dark bay gelding was bred in Pennsylvania by Dr. Donald and Eliza Dreyfuss' E&D Enterprises, and Arson Squad also won the Sand Pedro Stakes during his 3-year-old campaign. He is a half-brother to stakes placed Southern Rebel.

Arson Squad was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Peter Schiff's Fox Ridge Farm's homebred Tasteyville will run today in the 1 1/8-mile Grade Three Phillip H. Iselin Cup at Monmouth Park.

The 4-year-old gelded son of the 1989 Canadian Triple Crown winner With Approval won a one mile allowance race at Belmont Park on July 20. Tasteyville is conditioned by Pat Kelly and was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Dogwood Stables Poschner returns in the 1 1/16-miles Regaey Island Stakes on the turf today at Ellis Park. The David Carroll charge finished second in his last start, a one-mile race on the turf at Arlington Park on Aug. 1. This will be Poschner's second stakes effort. The 3-year-old bay son of Grade One winner Trippi ran third in the 1 1/16-miles Grindstone Stakes on the turf at the Fair Grounds on March 24.

Atoned will try to win his second consecutive start Saturday in the Continental Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park. The Dogwood Stable 2-year-old colt is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and will have jockey Chris DeCarlo in the irons.

8/17/2007 - Spring Hill Farm's homebred Christmas Kid who has won three stakes races this year, including the Grade One Ashland on April 7 at Keeneland, returns to action today at Saratoga in the 1 1/8-miles Grade Two Lake Placid Stakes on the turf. The three year-old filly will face another locally trained horse Gainesway Farm's Clifton Bay.

Christmas Kid drew the six hole, and the James Jerkens charge will have Garrett Gomez in the irons, while Clifton Bay will break from post position three, and the Shug McGaughey trainee will have Edgar Prado up. Both Christmas Kid and Clifton Bay were trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

It's the drive for five for another Spring Hill Farm charge, Mini Sermon will try to make it three consecutive stakes victory tomorrow and five straight wins in the 1 1/8-miles Grade Three Arlington Oaks. The three year-old filly has won the Marking Time Stakes at Belmont Park and the Sweetest Chant Stakes at Arlington Park in her last two starts.

Mini Sermon was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Jeffrey Tucker's Glory Miss won a 7 1/2-furlong allowance race Tuesday at Philadelphia Park. The John Morrison charge won by 1 1/2-lengths. The four year-old filly was bred in Florida by Jack Dreyfus' Hobeau Farm. Glory Miss trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Fox Tree Farm's Moonlight Aria hit a higher note Sunday by winning a one mile maiden special weight race at Monmouth Park.

The four year-old New Jersey-bred filly was broekn and trained in Aiken by Glenn Thompson.

Jeffrey Tucker's stakes winner Red Zipper finished second in the 1 1/8-miles West Point Handicap on the turf Sunday at Saratoga. The four year-old gelded chesnut, New York-bred son of City Zip is trained by John Morrison.

Dogwood Stable's Prince Rahy finished second in a 1 3/16-miles race on the turf. The five year-old gelding is conditioned by Frank Alexander.

Helen Andrews' Serenity Trail finished second in a 5 1/2-furlong race at Prairie Meadows. The four year-old gelding is trained by Anne Mitchell Pezzano.

8/13/2007 - Dogwood Stable's Grade One winner Cotton Blossom has been retired from racing. The 3-year-old bay filly sustained an injury during the running of the Grade One Darley Test Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 4.

"Cotton Blossom was shipped to Kentucky after she exhibited lameness following the race, and ultrasounds there have confirmed that there is significant damage in the sesamoidian ligaments along with bone chips in the ankle," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president in a press release.

The daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Broken Vow, Cotton Blossom was conditioned at the racetrack by three time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Cotton Blossom will be consigned as a broodmare prospect to the Fasig-Tipton Select Mixed Sale, Nov.4 in Lexington, Ky., with consignor Three Chimneys Farm, agent.

Dogwood Stable purchased Cotton Blossom for 210,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale from Warrendale Sales, agent, according to the Blood-Horse.

Cotton Blossom scored a one-length victory to capture the first leg in New York's Triple Tiara, the one-mile Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9. She had captured the Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs during her sophomore campaign debut, winning by two lengths, after closing out her juvenile campaign with a third place finish in the Grade One Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Cotton Blossom won the Grade Three Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga as a two year-old in her second lifetime start.

A consistent performer on the racetrack, Cotton Blossom finished second in the Grade One Spinaway Stakes during her juvenile campaign. She finished second in the Grade Two Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park and third in the Grade Two Delaware Oaks as a 3-year-old.

Jim Squires bred Cotton Blossom in Kentucky. Cotton Blossom was the sixth of seven foals produced by the Dixieland Band broodmare For Dixie. For Dixie won three starts during her career, including the Old River Ranch Stakes. Cotton Blossom is a half-sister to Vicarage (who was also bred by Squires), who like Cotton Blossom races in the Dogwood Stable silks. Vicarage won the Grade Three Perryville Stakes and Smoke Glacken Stakes. Squires bred For Dixie back to Broken Vow this past spring.

From 11 lifetime starts (10 in stakes races), Cotton Blossom had four wins, finished second twice, and placed third twice, retiring with earnings of 724,987.

8/12/2007 - The list of 2007 stakes winners who've trained at the Aiken Training Track grew by two this weekend.

Peter Schiff's Fox Ridge Farm's Naughty New Yorker returned to the winners' circle Saturday at Saratoga winning the 1 1/8-miles Saratoga Sunrise Stakes.

The bay 5-year-old horse won easily by seven lengths.

The Patrick Kelly-charge was trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff. The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company graduate and multiple stakes winner has now earned $767,839.

Spring Hill Farm's Dorm Fever captured the 7-furlong Heed Stakes by two-lengths at Saratoga Friday afternoon.

The 3-year old filly by Stormin Fever, out of the Pleasant Colony broodmare Dorm is trained by James Jerkens. Stormin Fever, Dorm and Pleasant Colony were all trained in Aiken.

Dorm Fever was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Jambalaya, who won Saturday's Grade One Arlington Million, was bred by longtime area resident Gustav Schickedanz.

Jeffrey Tucker's Sense of Speed won a 5 1/2-furlong allowance race on the turf Saturday at Saratoga.

The John Morrison-charge trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm. The 5-year-old New York-bred gelding is by A.P. Jet.

Stonerside Stable's Free Brave broke his maiden in a 5 1/2-furlong Friday at Ellis Park.

The 2-year-old son of the 1994 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter Cherokee Run is trained by Bernard Flint and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's Tim Jones.

James Hackman and Glenn Thompson's Bondai won a 6-furlong race Friday at Monmouth Park.

The 3-year-old chestnut filly by Private Interview, was broken and trained in Aiken by Glenn Thompson.

Rutledge Forest left the field in his wake in a 6 1/2-furlong race, winning by eight lengths in a maiden special weight race Thursday at Charles Town.

The 2-year-old gelding is campaigned by Hermen Greenberg's Rutledge Farm, and is conditioned by Jeff Runco.

Rutledge Forest was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

8/09/2007 - Dogwood Stable's Cotton Blossom will be taking some time off from the races after sustaining an injury last Saturday in the Grade One Test Stakes at Saratoga.

The 3-year-old daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Broken Vow exhibited lameness in her right front ankle, said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president, in a press release.

The preliminary veterinary examinations have indicated a wrench in a minor sesamoidal ligament. Ultrasound examinations are being conducted and will help determine the final diagnosis.

"Dr. Steve Allday feels this is a temporary setback - with the filly being a shock wave therapy candidate - and we are tentatively scheduling her next appearance at Belmont Park," said Campbell, in the press release. "Her effort in the Test Stakes was uncharacteristic. We hope this setback is minor, and we are tentatively planning to race Cotton Blossom this fall and throughout 2008."

Cotton Blossom won the Grade Three Schuylerville Stakes as a 2-year-old and capped off her juvenile campaign with a strong performance, placing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. A half-sister to Dogwood-owned graded stakes winner Vicarage, Cotton Blossom is trained by Todd Pletcher.

The bay filly won the Grade One Acorn Stakes and the Florida Oaks during her sophomore campaign, en route to bankrolling 724,987.

Nekia Farm's Phil The Brit finished second Monday at Delaware Park in a one-mile race. The 5-year-old gelding is trained by Steve Epley Jr.

Stonerside Stable's Bold Angel finished third Monday in the one-mile Assiniboia Oaks at Assiniboia Downs. The 3-year-old filly is conditioned by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

James Hackman's Social Quest finished third in the six-furlong Jamestown Stakes Tuesday at Colonial Downs. The 2-year-old Virginia-bred gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Glenn Thompson.

8/06/2007 - Dance Hall Days, a 2-year-old filly owned and bred by Edward Evans, won by daylight Saturday afternoon at Philadelphia Park, winning a 5 1/2-furlong race by six lengths. The Anthony Dutrow charge became the first career winner for Grade Two winner and freshman sire Seeking Daylight. Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens broke both Dance Hall Days and Seeking Daylight.

Bagger Vance broke his maiden in a one-mile race on the turf Sunday at Colonial Downs, drawing off to win by one-length. The Ted Gregory charge is by multiple Grade One winner Langfuhr, and the 3-year-old Maryland-bred gelding is campaigned by the partnership of Banbury Cross' Jane Gunnell, Ted Gregory and Alice Knowles.

Half Sister, a half sister to the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando and stakes winner Six Sexy Sisters, won a 6 1/2-furlong race on the turf Saturday at Woodbine. The More Than Ready filly is owned and was bred by Gustav Schickedanz, won by 2 1/2-lengths. Half Sister is trained by Mike Keogh.

Stonerside Stable's Texas Wildcatter broke his maiden Saturday at Arlington Park. The juvenile son of the 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos won by 3 1/2-lengths. Texas Wildcatter is conditioned by Mike Stidham, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable's winner Atoned became the first winner of freshman sire Repent. Dogwood Stable purchased the 2-year-old colt for 165,000 at the 2007 February Select Ocala Breeders' Sales Company 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale from the consignment of Niall Brennan. The colt broke his maiden Friday at Monmouth Park.

"He ran very well his first time out, he was second in his first start, only beaten a short head," said Brennan, in a phone interview Saturday morning. "When he won yesterday, he was going a trip. He has a big stride. He was most suited for going a distance. He's a big horse who stands over a lot of ground. There haven't been too many distance races for 2-year-olds. This race gave him a chance to stretch out."

Dogwood Stable's graded stakes winner Drum Major finished second in the 1 1/16-miles Grade Two Fourstardave Handicap on the turf Sunday at Saratoga. The George Weaver charge has now bankrolled 385,658.

Spring Hill Farm's Tap Gold finished second in a 1 1/16-miles Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park. The 5-year-old mare is conditioned by Mark Hennig.

8/01/2007 - Three horses who trained at W.C. "Mike" and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm won races Monday.

Glory Miss won a 5-furlong allowance race on the turf at Philadelphia Park.

The 4-year-old Florida-bred filly is owned by Jeffrey Tucker and is conditioned by John Morrison.

John's Song won a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf at Saratoga.

The Phil Serpe-charge is campaigned by Meadow Springs Stable, Thomas Moran and Dattt Farm. The gelded son of King Cugat was broken and trained by Todd Turner at Chime Bell Farm.

Pennant Race won a 6-furlong race at Saratoga.

The 3-year-old gelded son of Grand Slam is conditioned by Phil Serpe and is owned by Meadow Springs Stable, Thomas Moran and Avi Barbasch.

"We're happy the horses won," said Jill Thomas, Chime Bell lay-up manager. "It was John's Song's third straight win. We also had John's Song's dam (Serene Ditty). It's kind of fun to have had the family. We had Pennant Race for about 60 days, and then sent him to Donna Freyer (Custom Care Equine). He was bought out of an OBS Training Sale."

Mike Rutherford's Orange Twilight is 2-for-2 at Mountaineer Park, winning a 1 1/16-miles race Sunday evening by 7 3/4-lengths.

The 3-year-old bay filly started her career by missing the board in her first three starts at Oaklawn Park but has been a different horse at the West Virginia oval. The daughter of Thunder Gulch is trained by Bernard Flint. Orange Twilight has bankrolled 27,356. The bay filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Stonerside Stable's Launched Missile broke her maiden Sunday night at Mountaineer Park.

The 3-year-old chestnut colt by Mr. Greeley is conditioned by Bernard Flint.

Another Stonerside charge, Vivacious Vivian, finished second in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race on the turf Monday afternoon at Saratoga. Vivacious Vivian is trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Both Launched Missile and Vivacious Vivian were trained by Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones in Aiken.

7/26/2007 - Orange Crush returned to action by putting the squeeze on the competition, winning by 5 1/4-lengths in a six-furlong allowance race last Saturday at Mountaineer Park. The 3-year-old daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Distorted Humor races in the silks of Manchester Farm's Mike Rutherford, and is conditioned by Bernard Flint. The chestnut filly won the Meafara Stakes at Hawthorne Park earlier this year. Orange Crush was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Lingote de Ouro (BRZ), who ran in the Aiken Trials earlier this year, won a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf Tuesday at Delaware Park. The dark bay son of Fast Gold is campaigned by Acorn Hill Farm, and is conditioned by John Fisher. Legacy Stable's Stevens trained the 7-year-old gelding in Aiken.

Spring Hill Farm's Nite Lite broke his maiden Thursday in a one-mile and 70 yards race at Monmouth Park. The 3-year-old son of dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch won by daylight, winning by 9 1/2-lengths. The Todd Pletcher charge was ridden to victory by Chris DeCarlo, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Sense of Speed finished second in a six-furlong allowance race on the turf at Belmont Park on Saturday afternoon. Sense of Speed is owned by Empire Racing Associates chairman Jeffrey Tucker and is conditioned by John Morrison. Sense of Speed trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Ocean View Stable's Exciting Times finished second in a six-furlong race Thursday afternoon at Monmouth Park. The New Jersey-bred is conditioned by Glenn Thompson.

Michael Furr's Great Kate Above finished second in a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf Wednesday at Delaware Park. The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred filly is conditioned by Danny Furr.

Bea Plus finished third in the 1 3/8-miles Drumtop Stakes Sunday at Belmont Park. The five year-old is trained by George Weaver and owned by Literary Lion Farm and Suzann Bobley. The Kentucky-bred mare was broken and trained by Stevens.

Nekia Farm's Lover Nekia, a 3-year-old Maryland-bred colt trained by Steve Epley, Jr. finished third Monday at Delaware Park in a one-mile 70 yards race.

Confederate Bond, a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred filly, conditioned by Steve Epley, Jr., placed third in a six-furlong race at