12/31/2009 - It was quite a campaign for Spring Hill Farm's homebred Quality Road. In addition to setting two track records while winning stakes races, the bay 3-year-old colt amassed $947,030 in earnings in 2009, increasing his lifetime bankroll to $972,830.

The son of Elusive Quality, who is out of the Strawberry Road (AUS) broodmare Kobla, has been selected as the 2009 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year.

The Virginia-bred colt will be honored March 14 at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. A reception will follow the ceremony, and memorabilia from Quality Road's racing career will be on display. The public is invited to attend.

Quality Road was both broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

"Quality Road was a joy to have around and break and it was a pleasure to watch his career unfold," said Stevens. "We're honored to have been selected as the Aiken Trained Horse of the Year."

The Virginia-bred colt broke his maiden in his debut, a 6-½-furlong race at Aqueduct on Nov. 29, 2008. But it was during his sophomore campaign where Quality Road would make an impact on the 3-year-old division as he scored three consecutive victories in stakes races.

It was while he was in the barn of trainer James Jerkens that Quality Road won the Grade II one-mile Fountain of Youth Stakes by 4+ lenghts at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28. He followed by setting a track record in the 11/8-mile Grade I Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

It was after his Florida Derby victory that Quality Road stamped himself as the favorite for the Kentucky Derby. Quality Road's Kentucky Derby hopes were derailed as he developed quarter cracks in both his right front and right rear hooves.

Quality Road was transferred to the barn of four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher. The 3-year-old colt didn't disappoint in his return from more than a four-month layoff, winning the 6-½-furlong Grade II Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Quality Road won by 2+ lenghts and established a track record at the distance. He followed those performances with a third place finish in the Grade I Travers, placing second in the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup.

In seven lifetime starts, Quality Road has four wins, placed second twice and finished third once.

12/28/2009 - Legacy Stable had their 25th 2-year-old winner of 2009 as Lansdon Robbins III’s and Tom Hansen’s Offlee Cool, a dark bay New York-bred filly by Grade 1 winner Offlee Wild, won a 1 mile and 70 yards race Saturday, at Aqueduct by a neck.

Sanford Bacon’s homebred Risky Rachel destroyed the field Sunday breaking her maiden by 143/4-lengths at Aqueduct. The 2-year-old New York-bred daughter of the 2005 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Limehouse, is out of Grade 3 winner Dancing Renee (also a Sanford Bacon homebred), and is conditioned by Tim McKinsey, who was previously based at the Aiken Training Track.

The 15/8-miles Gallant Fox Handicap on Dec. 31 will feature two locally trained graded stakes winners. Dogwood Stable’s Atoned and Spring Hill Farm’s Nite Light will both contest the race. The horses are part of a three-pronged Todd Pletcher entry, Nite Light, who ran in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon, is the race’s high weight carrying 122 pounds, and Atoned, who has been assigned 120 pounds, is the race’s second highest weight. Ron Stevens trained both horses in Aiken.

12/24/2009 - Manchester Farm’s homebred Barton Springs became the 24th juvenile winner to come out of Legacy Stable’s program in 2009, breaking her maiden by 3/4-length in a 6-furlong race Monday at the fairgrounds. The chestnut filly is by the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, is conditioned by Bret Calhoun, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz’s homebred Zarroc won a 1-mile allowance race Dec. 17 at Laurel Park by a half-length. The gelded chestnut son of the 1996 Sovereign Award winning Sprinter Langfuhr is conditioned by Catherine Robinson, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Mike Keogh.

South Elkhorn Stable’s Peacefields broke his maiden by 11/2-lengths in a 6-furlong race Monday, at the Fair Grounds. The 3-year-old colt set the early fractions and than turned back his rival, Numinous, in the stretch before drawing off for the victory. The son of multiple Grade 3 winner Belong to Me is conditioned by Hall of Fame Trainer Bill Mott, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

12/21/2009- The 68th edition of the Aiken Trials is less than 12 weeks away and already the anticipation is building for the first leg of Aiken's Triple Crown, a staple and must-see for Thoroughbred racing enthusiasts throughout the Southeast.

The Aiken Trials will be held March 13 at the Aiken Training Track.

The trials will once again feature six competitive races with the preponderance of the entries composing the fields having trained over the Aiken Training Track, said Bernadette Clayton, Aiken Training Track treasurer. "It's going to be the same format," she said.

Sponsors will have private cabanas as opposed to a big tent near the finish line, said Clayton.

Atlantic Broadband, AllStar Rents, Vista Bank, Boots, Bridles and Britches, AB Beverage and Aiken Horse are among the primary sponsors for the 2010 Aiken Trials.

A portion of the proceeds from the Aiken Trials will go to benefit the Aiken Land Conservancy and the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum.

The 2010 edition of the Aiken Trials will not feature the Starting Gate Party, the event held the Thursday night prior to Saturday's races.

Renewals for regular and patron spots will be sent out during the first week of January.

12/19/2009 - Dogwood Stable will have a number of runners who will be a formidable force in 2010.

Aikenite, who finished fifth in the Grade 1 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, will start next in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23. The Florida-bred son of Grade 1 winner Yes It’s True, worked Monday at Palm Meadows, the first of six workouts he’ll have prior to his contest at the Hallandale Beach, Fla. racetrack. Aikenite has gained 50 pounds and appears poised for a strong winter under the care of four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher.

“Aikenite is doing well,” said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. “He flew direct from Los Angeles (after his Breeders’ Cup race) to Miami, with that being the most expeditious plan, rather than working out transportation to bring him here, which I would have liked to have done,” said Campbell.

The dark bay colt will also start off his sophomore campaign with a new rider as jockey John Velazquez, who piloted Aikenite to victory in his first career start at Saratoga Race Course, has been reunited with the horse, replacing Alan Garcia, whose questionable tactical decision in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was the reason for the change in riders, said Campbell.

A full-brother to another Dogwood campaigned horse, Grade 1 winner Cotton Blossom, who recently sold for $2.3 million at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale as part of the Overbrook Farm Dispersal, is in Aiken this winter being conditioned by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens. It’s hoped that the Dogwood charge will be able to replicate the success of his older sibling, and the spotlight may shine this summer on Charlestonian as he will be pointed toward his possible debut at Saratoga Race Course, said Campbell.

“We’ve had two significant stakes winners from the mare (For Dixie is the dam of not only Cotton Blossom and Charlestonian, but also graded stakes winner and Dogwood campaigned Vicarage),” said Campbell. Charlestonian and Cotton Blossom were both sired by multiple graded stakes winner Broken Vow. “We’re delighted to have him. He acts like a colt that’s going to take a little while. He’s one you’re not likely to see in the Aiken Trials.”

The half-brother to the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird, Brother Bird, who was purchased at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton May Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale at Timonium, Md. from the consignment of now Aiken-based trainer and consignor Cary Frommer for $485,000, is also training in Aiken. The son of Grade 1 winner Yonaguska breezed three furlongs Wednesday and appears to be in good form. He had a solid third in his debut this past summer in Saratoga and is working toward his 3-year-old campaign in 2010, said Campbell.

“We have great hopes now that he’s been given the time off,” said Campbell. “We’re going to ship him to Florida on the fifth of January.”

The gray yearling colt, Stormy the Cat, by Storm Cat, out of the Unbridled stakes winning broodmare Unrestrained, is also a Dogwood horse who bears watching. Bred by Spring Hill Farm, the son of one of the breed’s most influential sires will be conditioned this winter in Aiken by Stevens.

The venerable gelding Prince Rahy is making the transition from flat racing to becoming a steeplechase horse, with a possible debut over jumps this coming March in Aiken. He’ll be conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard, said Campbell.

12/18/2009 - It can be difficult to live up to the expectations of an older sibling especially when your older brother or sister has enjoyed a great deal of success.

Legacy Stable has a host of horses in its barn whose siblings have distinguished themselves on the racetrack, and their younger brothers and sisters appear poised to follow in their footsteps.

Among the charges who will be a routine sight on the Aiken Training Track this winter include Spring Hill Farm’s Charitable Donation.

Charitable Donation is by Eclipse Award and Classic winner Lemon Drop Kid, and is a full sister to Grade 2 winner Charitable Man.

Grade 1 winner and dual track record setter Quality Road’s half-sister is also among the horses in Ron Stevens barn. The Tale of the Cat filly is also going to be campaigned by Spring Hill Farm.

“She’s not going to be as big of an individual as he is physically, but she’s going to have plenty of size,” said Stevens. Multiple graded stakes winner Gold Mover is the dam (or mother) of a Mr. Greeley colt who will also be training this winter in Aiken.

“Gold Mover is one of my favorites. She won an Aiken Trial heat, and went on to earn over $1 million, and it’s nice to have her offspring back,” said Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm’s Mini Storm, a full sister to Grade 2 winner Mini Sermon, is among the horses being broken and trained in Aiken. The chestnut filly is by multiple Grade 2 winner Pulpit.

“She’s bigger, stronger and more muscular than her sister,” said Stevens. A half brother to Grade 1 winner Yonaguska, Grade 3 winner Halo Homewrecker and stakes winner Call it Off, will also be a presence on the training track.

“He’s a Giant’s Causeway that arrived a few weeks ago, so we’re just breaking him,” said Stevens, about the bay colt. “He’s a nice strong colt that looks like he has all of the tools.”

12/16/2009 - Cary Frommer and Michael Trombetta’s Cheers Darling broke her maiden Sunday by 2¾ lengths at Aqueduct in a 6-furlong race. The bay juvenile daughter of Grade 1 winner Cuvee was bred by Frommer and Curtis Kenimer and is conditioned by Trombetta.

Nekia Farm’s Zipping Nekia won by daylight wiring the field and breaking his maiden by 5¾ lengths Wednesday in a 6½-furlong race at Charles Town Races and Slots. The gelded son of Grade 1 winner City Zip is trained by Steve Epley Jr., who broke and trained the 3-year-old at the Aiken Training Track.

Rutledge Farm’s graded stakes winner Researcher placed second in the 1 3/16-mile Grade 3 Queens County Handicap Saturday at Aqueduct. The gelded son of Two Smart was trying for consecutive victories in the stakes race over the inner track but had to settle for second best to eventual winner Rodman.

The $2,200 sales purchase was bred by the Virginia Tech Foundation. The 5-year old gelding is conditioned by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens. Spring Hill Farm’s Storm Play, broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens, finished fourth, and millionaire Naughty New Yorker, who was trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff, placed fifth in the race.

12/9/2009 - Robert and Janice McNair’s Cowboy Cal has been retired and will enter stallion duty in 2010 at Pin Oak Stud in Versailles, Ky. He will stand for a fee of $7,500. The son of Giant’s Causeway will join a stallion roster that includes the 2006 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Bob and John, who was also campaigned by the McNairs. Cowboy Cal retires with lifetime earnings of $1,037,810. He was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dolly Bostwick’s Forever Mine broke her maiden in a 1 1/16-miles race Dec. 2 at Charles Town Races and Slots. The 3-year-old Texas-bred daughter of Belong to Me wired the field, and won by daylight, drawing off to win by 12 ¼-lengths. The chestnut filly is conditioned by Tim Grams.

Spring Hill Farm’s Summer Humor broke her maiden by a neck in a 1 mile and 70 yards race at the Meadowlands on Dec. 3. The 2-year-old filly is by multiple graded stakes winner Distorted Humor and is out of the millionaire and multiple graded stakes winner Summer Colony, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Gainesway Farm’s Touching Beauty placed second in the Silent Turn Stakes Dec. 4 at Aqueduct. The 2-year-old bay filly by Tapit was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

12/2/2009 - Legacy Stables has broken and trained 22 juvenile winners in 2009 through Nov. 29.

Dogwood Stable’s Arizona Sunset won a 7-furlong race Nov. 25 at Laurel Park by 3-lenghts. The 3-year-old chestnut colt by Grade 1 winner Sky Mesa is conditioned by Christopher Grove, and was broken and trained by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable’s Cleric won a 6-furlong race Nov. 24 at Philadelphia Park. The Aiken Trials Alumnus is by Vicar and is trained by Geroge Weaver. The 3-year-old gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stables.

Marc Keller’s Grade 1 winner Bribon (FR) placed second in the Grade 1 Hill N’ Dale Cigar Mile Handicap Saturday at Aqueduct. The Robert Ribaudo charge trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman’s Chime Bell Farm.

Dogwood Stable’s Atoned placed second in the 1¾-miles Power Lunch Stakes Sunday at Aqueduct. The 4-year-old son of Repent is trained by 4-time Eclipse award-winning Trainer Todd Pletcher and was trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Robert and Janice McNair’s Cowboy Cal placed third in the 1 1/16-miles Grade 1 Citation Handicap on the turf Friday at Hollywood Park. Todd Pletcher trains the son of Giant’s Causeway who increased his bankroll to $1,037,810. Tim Jones broke and trained the 4-year-old colt in Aiken.

Lansdon Robbins III and AZ Azalea Stables’ Fuzzy Britches placed third in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes Saturday at Aqueduct. The Juan Rodriguez charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Stone Farm, John Adger, Oakcrest Farm and Mike Stidham’s Upperline placed second Saturday in the 1 1/16 miles Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. Mike Stidham conditions the juvenile filly that was broken and trained by Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm’s Pleasant Strike placed third in the Grade 3 River City Handicap Friday at Churchill Downs, a 1 1/8-mile race on the turf. The Virginia-bred is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

12/1/2009 - Flying Horse Farm's Farah T Salute, who won at the Aiken Fall Steeplechase held off a fast closing Miss Crown, who placed second in the Holiday Cup in October, to win the 2-1/4 mile Palm Beach Filly and Mare Hurdle Stakes by a neck Saturday at Palm Beach Polo Club. The 6-year-old mare is conditioned by Jazz Napravnik.

Gustav Schickedanz's Cheers Mate set the early fractions and held on to win a 1-1/16-mile allowance race Friday at Laurel Park by a half-length in a race that was contested over an off track. The 4-year-old gelded son of Langfuhr is conditioned by Catherine Robinson, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Mike Keogh.

Michael Furr and Linda Sours' homebred Furrfield Cat seized command entering the stretch and drew off to win a 6-furlong allowance race at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort by 1-1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old gelded son of Tiger Ridge, is conditioned and was broken and trained in Aiken by Danny Furr.

James Hackman's The Mules Sister won a 6-furlong race Friday at the Meadowlands, collaring the lead in deep stretch, and drawing off to win by 1-1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old Florida-bred filly is by stakes winner Full Mandate and is conditioned by Glenn Thompson.

11/25/2009 - Robert and Janice McNair's six-time stakes winner Cowboy Cal is looking to bounce back after a 10th place finish in Breeders' Cup Turf Mile in the Grade I Citation Handicap Friday afternoon at Hollywood Park.

The 4-year-old son of Giant's Causeway is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones. He has three Grade II victories in 2009.

"I talked with Todd (Pletcher) this week and it sounds like he's doing well," said John Adger, the McNair's racing and bloodstock manager.

Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road is being pointed toward the Grade III Hal's Hope at Gulfstream Park for his 4-year-old debut, according to the Blood-Horse.

Former Aiken resident Ira "Babe" Hanford, who won the 1936 Kentucky Derby on Bold Venture as an 18-year-old apprentice jockey, died Saturday in Ocala, Fla. at the age of 91, the Thoroughbred Times reported. His older brother Carl, 93, trained five-time Horse-of-the-Year Kelso at the Aiken Training Track.

"We met a lot of nice people while we were in Aiken," Hanford told the Aiken Standard in 2006.

11/24/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's A Little Warm broke his maiden by 10+ lengths Monday at Philadelphia Park in a 6-furlong race. The son of Grade 3 winner Stormin Fever is conditioned by Anthony Dutrow and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

William Pape's Mixed Up, a winner at the Aiken Spring Steeplechase, won the Grade 1 Colonial Cup Saturday at Springdale Racecourse. The 10-year-old gelded son of Carnivalay is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard and had jockey Danielle Hodsdon in the irons. Mixed Up is now a strong candidate for a 2009 Eclipse Award for Steeplechase Horse of the Year.

Rutledge Farm's Big Diamond destroyed the field in breaking her maiden by 12 1/4 lengths Saturday at Charles Town Races and Slots in a 7-furlong contest. The 3-year-old daughter of 2001 European Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Johannesburg is conditioned by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz's Longlasting seized command in the stretch to break his maiden by a half-length in a 1 1/8-mile race at Laurel Park on Nov. 18. The 3-year-old Ontario-bred gelding by the 1995 Sovereign Award winning Sprinter Langfuhr is conditioned by Catherine Robinson and was broken and trained in Aiken by Mike Keogh. Robinson and Keogh were both assistants to trainer Roger Attfield, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Spring Hill Farm's Tiz Hidden broke her maiden by a neck last Friday at Aqueduct in 6-furlong contest. The juvenile daughter of 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Fox Ridge Farm's graded stakes winner and millionaire Naughty New Yorker placed second in the 1-mile Study Hard Stakes Sunday at Aqueduct. The Pat Kelly charge and Ocala Breeders' Sales Company graduate was trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

11/24/2009 - It’s been an exciting 2009 for Edward Evans’ Spring Hill Farm as once again it finds itself among the nation’s leading breeders and owners. Florida Derby, Fountain of Youth Stakes and Amsterdam Stakes winner Quality Road, Cat Chat Stakes and Chilukki Stakes winner Malibu Prayer; Prioress Stakes winner Cat Moves; Spritely, who won the Quick Mischief Stakes, and Sugar Maple Stakes are among the stakes winners bred and campaigned by the farm and broken and trained in Aiken.

Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens has been breaking and training the Spring Hill prospects at the Aiken Training Track since 1994, and Spring Hill Farm manager Chris Baker visited the facility Thursday morning.

Spring Hill Farm is a 2,800 acre facility located in Casanova, Va. It has been a consistent force and has ranked among North America’s leading owners and breeders for some time. Spring Hill bred the 2005 Horse of the Year, Saint Liam, and was the leading owner at the 2001, 2002 and 2004 Aqueduct Spring meetings and the 2000 Belmont Park Spring and Saratoga meetings. Baker started at the farm in October 2000.

“I think a lot of the success can be attributed to what Mr. Evans has built over the last 40 years; he originally bought the farm in 1969,” said Baker. “It’s not only what he’s done physically but what he’s done with the breeding program, culling on performance and breeding his mares well. He is always building toward quality. Now, that we’re starting to reach that critical mass of good horses, which is becoming repetitive, it’s a great way to be. A lot of it starts with what he’s done, and we try to raise them right and to be athletes.”

The horses spend a great deal of time outside, where they have an opportunity to be exposed to a number of things, said Baker.

“They have a chance to get rough and tough and develop a good immune system and all of the things a horse needs to do,” said Baker.

The relationship between Spring Hill and Legacy Stable has been one of respect and trust, and has grown stronger through the years, said Baker.

“We put the horses in the hands of good people like Ron, who does a great job, and has been a big part of our success,” said Baker. “We put the horses in the hands of capable trainers and try to start them off with something that’s good physically and genetically.”

The 2009 3-year-old crop has been especially rewarding, said Baker.

“There have been so many graded stakes horses – Quality Road, Casanova Move, Malibu Prayer, Charitable Man, who we sold a yearling – it’s been an exceptional group, and I’ve taken great pride in that. We still think the best is yet to come.”

11/17/2009 - Aiken Trials alumnus Darley's Sea Chanter won the 1-1/16-mile Sabin Stakes on the turf Nov. 12 at Aqueduct by half of a length.

The daughter of the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile winner War Chant won her fourth stakes race, her second of 2009, as she had captured the Pearl Necklace Stakes on July 12 at Belmont Park.

Bred by Stonerside Stable, Sea Chanter is out of the Easy Goer broodmare Smooth Charmer. The bay filly is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Sea Chanter has now won six races, finished second four times and third twice, increasing her bankroll to $506,188.

Darley's Kettle River seized command entering the stretch to break his maiden by 1+ lengths in a 1-1/16-mile race on the turf at Hollywood Park on Sunday. The juvenile son of the 2002 Horse of the Year Congaree is conditioned by Eoin Harty and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

The South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners' and Breeders' Association Residency Races were run Sunday at Philadelphia Park. Fountain Springs Stable's Beijin won the 6-½-furlong Donna Freyer Stakes by two lengths. The 2-year-old daughter of Repent was broken and trained at McCutchen Training Center. Missbauer, who was broken and trained by Randy Rentz, was second, and Miz Maggie Mae, broken and trained at Glenview Farm, was third.

The Elkstone Group's Self Dealin' Man won the 6-½-furlong Christopher Elser Memorial Stakes by 1+ lengths. The Anthony Dutrow charge was broken and trained by Custom Care Equine. The 2-year-old colt is by Grade 1 winner Medaglia d'Oro.

First Nite placed second through disqualification, and Toccet's Charm was third.

SCTOBA was represented at the races by Lee Christian, Mr. and Mrs. George Elser, Donna Freyer, Linda Furlong and Doris Rabon.

Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road arrived by van Tuesday morning at Belmont Park, after being driven across the country because he wouldn't load on a plane. The horse made news at the Breeders' Cup when he wouldn't load into the starting gate and had to be scratched.

Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel died of leukemia Monday morning at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif. He trained the 2007 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, Country Star.

11/12/2009 - Spring Hill Farm’s Malibu Prayer overcame a rough trip to win the 1 mile Grade 2 Chilukki Stakes by 1-length Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old filly is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

South Carolina did have a Breeders’ Cup winner, Tapitsfly, a gray filly by Grade 1 winner Tapit, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 6. The Frank Jones, Jr. homebred is conditioned by Dale Romans and was broken and trained at the Elloree Training Center by Franklin Smith, Sr.

“I’m really proud of her,” said Smith. “I thought she’d be a good filly. We had a big time watching the race. It was great.”

Spring Hill Farm’s Quality Road, who had an untoward experience during the loading process, and was scratched at the gate prior to the start of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, sustained several minor injuries which will heal, according to the Blood-Horse. The son of Elusive Quality was to fly back to New York on Monday, but did not load on the plane as he froze up prior to loading. He will be vanned back to New York, laying over for 48 hours at Churchill Downs., and should arrive at Belmont Park on Nov. 16. The Grade 1 winner and multiple track record setter will work on remediating his gate issues, in working toward his return to the races.

Gustav Schickendanz’s homebred First Circle earned a trip to the Winner’s Circle with a 1 1/8-miles allowance race victory on the turf Nov. 1 at Woodbine . The 3-year-old bay filly by Sovereign Award winning Sprinter Langfuhr held on to win by a nose, is conditioned by Mike Keogh, who broke and trained First Circle in Aiken.

Aiken Trials Alumnus Stiletto Ridge broke her maiden Nov. 1 at Charles Town Races and Slots in a 4 ½ furlong race by ¾-length. The chestnut daughter of Grade 1 winner Snow Ridge is owned and conditioned by Larry O’Brien, who broke and trained the filly in Aiken. Stiletto Ridge was regularly galloped by James “Bo” Burns.

Dogwood Stable’s Trippo collared the leaders in the stretch to break his maiden Nov. 6 at Aqueduct in a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf by 2 ¼-lengths. The Frank Alexander charge was bred in Florida by Butch Silva, and was sired by former Dogwood runner Trippi. The juvenile colt was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

The Perfect Offer had the perfect trip breaking her maiden by 3 lengths in a 7-furlong race at Charles Town Races and Slots on Oct. 28. The Michael Furr homebred filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Danny Furr, who conditions the 3-year-old daughter of Perfect Soul (IRE) at the racetrack.

Fox Ridge Farm’s Upper Gulch seized command in deep stretch to break her maiden by 3 lengths in a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf at Aqueduct on Nov. 4. The 4-year-old daughter of 1988 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter Gulch is conditioned by Pat Kelly, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Spring Hill Farm’s Mambo Fever ran 2nd in the 1 mile Grade 3 Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct on Nov. 7.The juvenile daughter of Stormin Fever Is conditioned by Anthony Dutrow and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Multiple stakes winner Way With Words finished 3rd in the Grade 3 Turnback The Alarm Stakes at Aqueduct on Oct. 31. The 5-year-old New Jersey-bred mare is campaigned by George Schwartz, is conditioned by Mary Eppler, and trained at Iris and W.C. Freeman’s Chime Bell Farm.

Hermen Greenberg’s Researcher finished 2nd in the 1 mile Mountaineer Mile Handicap at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort Nov. 7. The 5-year-old bay gelding conditioned by Jeff Runco won the 2008 edition of the race. Ron Stevens broke and trained Researcher in Aiken.

Rutledge Farm’s Rutledge Lion placed 2nd in the Tri-State Futurity Nov. 7 at Charles Town Races and Slots. Rutledge Lion was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

11/10/2009 - After placing fifth in last Saturday's Grade 1 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Dogwood Stable's Aikenite will fly to Miami and will have a brief respite before returning to training. The son of Yes It's True will go to trainer Todd Pletcher's barn at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.

Aikenite's winter and spring itinerary have him pointed toward several Kentucky Derby prep races at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. The dark bay Florida-bred colt will be making his sophomore debut in January.

"We had thought about bringing Aikenite back home to Aiken," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president in a press release. "But the next logical race for him is the Grade 3 Holy Bull on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, and transportation logistics necessitate shipping him in straight to Florida."

Aikenite is being pointed toward the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 27 and the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 27. The multiple Grade 1 stakes placed colt has made four stars, has one win, finished second once and third once and has bankrolled $223,000.

Excerpt  from November 8, 2009 edition of The Augusta Chronicle: IN ANOTHER FEW WEEKS, the Aiken Training Track will be humming with activity. Exercise riders will guide their horses through their morning paces. The trainers who line the wooden rail will watch carefully.

Hoofprints will be everywhere, and the familiar red trucks of Ralph G. Smith -- "dependable horse transportation" -- will make their way around the dirt roads.

Trainers such as Mr. Stevens and Tim Jones of Darley Stable will continue their mission, which is to take young horses and turn them into Aiken's next champion.

"What we do is kindergarten to 12th grade," Mr. Jones said. "When they come from Kentucky, we go through the process of getting them ready for the racetrack...Full Article

11/8/2009 - Aiken's quintet of horses competing in the 26th edition of the Breeders' Cup failed to win a race, but Godolphin's Midshipman did place in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Mile, finishing third in a field of 10 entries. The son of Unbridled's Song returned to the site of his greatest triumph, the Oak Tree Meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

Midshipman seemed a bit fractious, worked up a sweat prior to the race,and was difficult loading into the gate, but he set the contest's early fractions, while saving ground along the rail.

The 3-year-old chestnut colt was strong into the stretch before yielding late to eventual winner Furthest Land and Ready's Echo. Midshipman was bred by Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

"He ran really well," said Jones. "I'm proud of him."

Dogwood Stable's Aikenite ran a game race, placing fifth in the 11âÑ16-mile $2 million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile; he was beaten less than three lengths. He raced close to the pace early but dropped back after a half-mile.

The Florida-bred colt earned $60,000 for his efforts. Aikenite will fly back to New York, will take a respite and may be given some time off in Aiken before being pointed toward the Kentucky Derby prep races this winter, said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

"Alan Garcia should have kept what he had been given (a great position early on); instead he adapted to his usual running style - dropping back (he dropped back to seventh) and then being asked to close on a slow pace with the front runners moving with plenty of run left," said Campbell. "It was a respectable race but not what we wanted. We came out here to win. However, we finished ahead of plenty of great horses, and we were only beaten by 2½ lengths."

Robert and Janice McNair's homebred Cowboy Cal pressed the early leaders, racing just off the pace, before weakening in the stretch in the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile. The son of Giant's Causeway faded to 10th in the 11-horse field.

Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road was scratched at the gate because of his untoward behavior prior to the start of the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. The son of Elusive Quality reared and bucked prior to the start of the race and had to be blindfolded.

The 3-year-old colt was eventually loaded into the gate but kicked open the front of the gate, before the decision was made to scratch him from the race.

Spring Hill Farm's Nite Light placed eighth Friday in the field of 10 entries in the Breeders' Cup Marathon. The son of dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch raced just off the leaders for a mile before tiring.

Nite Light and Quality Road were broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

11/6/2009 - A dark bay colt will not only be carrying the name of a city, but the hopes and dreams of a community. Dogwood Stable's Aikenite is establishing himself as one of the best horses of his generation, and the 2-year-old horse is among the entries in the $2 million 1 1/16-miles Grade 1 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile at the Oak Tree Meeting at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 7. He has drawn the nine hole and will have Alan Garcia in the irons, who rode Aikenite in his two previous races.

Aikenite has won or placed in all 3 of his starts including placing second twice in two Grade 1 stakes races. He was impressive in his last start over the Polytrack Elite surface at Keeneland in a race that saw him close to place second by a half length to winner Noble's Promise in the Grade 1 Dixiana Breeders' Futurity on Oct. 10. Aikenite is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher.

"It means a great deal, it's what you strive for (when discussing Aikenite)," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. "This horse has made himself very valuable. A 10 percent share of Aikenite recently traded for $100,000."

The juvenile son of Grade 1 winning millionaire Yes It's True left for California Tuesday at 4 a.m. and he arrived in California at 2:30 p.m., said Campbell.

"He'll go into Todd Pletcher's California division barn, and will train Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and I'll see him Thursday morning," said Campbell.

Aikenite worked 5-furlongs Oct. 31 in 59.4 seconds at Belmont Park, the fastest of 37 works at that distance last Saturday.

"Alan Garcia worked him and he was very excited when he galloped out," said Campbell. "I wouldn't trade places with anybody. There are probably 12 more in there that wouldn't trade places with anybody either."

Campbell recognized Aikenite's potential when he saw him work at the Ocala Breeders Sales Company February Selected Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. He was purchased from the consignment of Eisaman Equine for $225,000. Aikenite has an ideal disposition and is very calm and collected before going post, but when the gates open, he comes out running with an unbridled intensity and an athletic heart, said Campbell.

"He had worked the fastest quarter-of-a-mile, but he didn't look like the kind of a horse who was a speed ball," said Campbell. "He was very placid afterwards. He was just easy going, which he always has been. He's very earnest and workman like. He's a very likable horse who understands the game, and I think he demonstrated that at the sale. He's a big, good looking horse that didn't look like the type who would work a quarter mile that fast. I think he was a good buy."

The Florida-bred colt (Aikenite was bred by Brylynn Farm, who still owns 25 percent of the horse) after being purchased by Dogwood at the OBS sale would be brought back to Aiken, where he would further his education under the guidance of Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. He would make his first start in a 6-furlong race at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 9, and would draw off to win his debut by 2 1/2-lengths.

"He came to Aiken and he had bucked shins from the sale, so we gave him some time and got him over his physical issues, and got him ready to run before sending him to Pletcher the first of June," said Campbell. "He broke his maiden in August. Todd was slightly reluctant to run him in the Hopeful (Sept. 7 at Saratoga Race Course). I was a little surprised that he ran as well as he did (he placed 3rd). I kind of pushed running him and I'm glad I did."

Aikenite's strong work over the all weather Safetrack surface at the OBS sale was one reason that he was pointed toward the Grade 1 Dixiana Breeders Futurity. And his outstanding performance over the synthetic surface at Keeneland played a large role in the decision to send him to Santa Anita Park and enter him in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Campbell is impressed with Aikenite, who is a well-balanced, correct looking individual, has an outstanding temperament, and is a beautiful moving horse. Aikenite's grand sire Is It True won the 1988 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

"The only knock against him is that his sire (Yes It's True) was not associated with going a distance," said Campbell. "This colt is out of a Saint Ballado mare, and the second dam is by Secretariat and the third dam is by Tudor Way. He has adequate stamina. I think he has all the ingredients. He's sound. He's doing fine, and he's never had any problems except for tender shins. He's a horse if he doesn't have bad luck, he could win the race. He certainly can't have bad luck and win the race."

After 40 years, Dogwood Stable continues to be a formidable force, and Aikenite's presence in the $2 million race has racing fans nationwide enthusiastic about the Dogwood colors which have been prevalent in major stakes races for four decades.

"It means a lot, it means a great deal," said Campbell. "I don't brood about not having a great horse, but you always want one. Aikenite looks like he's capable of being that. If this horse comes out of the Breeders' Cup in good shape, whatever he does in it, I know he's a good race horse. He may not win the Breeders' Cup, and he may not hit the board. He can run. It's nice to have a horse going into the spring that has Classic credentials."

Aikenite will more than likely come back to Aiken for 60 days after his Breeders' Cup race, said Campbell. The relationship between Campbell and trainer Todd Pletcher has grown stronger through the years as they two have a tremendous amount of respect for one another. The dark bay colt will more than likely spend the winter in Florida, where he will be pointed toward a number of races (most likely at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs) as he makes his way on the Derby trail. Aikenite will have a daunting task in front of him should he win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

There is a definite sophomore jinx for Breeders' Cup Juvenile winners when it comes to winning Classic races, the races that make up the Triple Crown. The previous winners of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile have not fared well when it comes to winning the Run for the Roses. The only Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner to win the Kentucky Derby was the 2006 winner Street Sense (won the Kentucky Derby in 2007). The 2006 Breeders' Cup Juvenile was held at Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby is run. Timber Country, the winner of the 1994 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, went on to win the 1995 Preakness. Breeders' Cup Juvenile winners have gone on to win the Eclipse Award for outstanding Two-Year-Old Male 20 times.

All eyes will be on Aikenite and the four other Aiken trained horses, Cowboy Cal, Midshipman, Nite Light and Quality Road this weekend.

"I'm glad that Ron Stevens will be out at the Breeders' Cup, and that Aiken is being represented by five horses," said Campbell. "I'm glad that the one I have is named after the town."

Thoroughbred racing fans and enthusiasts will have an opportunity to watch several Aiken trained horses compete in the Breeders' Cup Saturday at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. Saturday's Breeders' Cup will be broadcast on ABC from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., when the coverage shifts to ESPN. The Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile has a post time of 3:49 p.m. Robert and Janice McNair's Cowboy Cal has been entered in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Mile, with the race having a post time of 4:28 p.m. The first 35 attendees will receive a free Hall of Fame gift pack.

The public is invited to attend this free event and cheer on Dogwood Stable's Aikenite and Robert and Janice McNair's Cowboy Cal to victory at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum.

11/5/2009 - Robert and Janice McNair have bred two horses that have been pre-entered in the 26th edition of the Breeders’ Cup at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

Cowboy Cal, who was broken and trained by Tim Jones in Aiken, became a millionaire in his last start, winning the Grade 2 Oak Tree Mile on Oct. 10. It was the son of Giant Causeway’s sixth stakes victory and his first start over the turf track at Santa Anita Park. He has been pre-entered in the $2 million Grade 1 TVG Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile on Nov. 7.

Cowboy Cal won two Grade 2 Stakes during his 4-year-old campaign at Santa Anita Park this winter, capturing the Grade 2 Strub Stakes and the Grade 2 San Pasqual Handicap over the Pro-Ride surface. Cowboy Cal was bred in the name of Stonerside Stable. He has bankrolled $1,001,810. The dark bay colt is conditioned by Todd Pletcher. Cowboy Cal drew post position 3 and will have jockey John Velazquez in the irons.

“I think he’s going to do very well,” said John Adger, the McNair’s racing and bloodstock manager. “This is arguably the toughest of the Breeders’ Cup races. The great milers will be coming from Europe. Cowboy Cal ran well in the Oak Tree Mile and put on quite a show. His last two works have been very good. Todd Pletcher has been very pleased with him. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

The 2008 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, 2008 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old male, and winner of the 2008 Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile returns to the site of his greatest triumph.

Midshipman, who was bred in the name of Stonerside Stable, now races for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Godolphin Stable and has been pre-entered in Saturday’s $1 Million Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The half-brother to stakes Grade 2 stakes winner Fast Cookie sustained a minor soft tissue injury to his left foreleg this winter. He has raced only once as a 3-year-old, winning a 6½-furlong allowance contest at Belmont Park on Sept. 18. The chestnut colt has demonstrated a predilection for synthetic surfaces, winning the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity over a Polytrack Classic surface as a juvenile.

The son of the 1995 Breeders’ Cup winner Unbridled’s Song was initially trained by Bob Baffert but has since been moved to the barn of Saeed bin Suroor. Midshipman has lifetime earnings of $1,409,600, will break from the 3 hole and will be ridden by Garrett Gomez. Midshipman was broken and trained by Jones.

11/3/2009 - A quintet of runners who’ve trained over the Aiken Training Track have been pre-entered to run in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

Edward Evans Spring Hill Farm has two entries that will contest the Pro-Ride surface this Saturday, Nite Light and Quality Road, with both horses having been broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill homebred Quality Road has been pre-entered in the $5 million 1¼-mile Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Virginia-bred colt has had an outstanding sophomore campaign setting two track records. The 3-year-old set a track record in winning the 11/8-mile Grade 1 Florida Derby, covering the distance in 1:47.72 seconds. The son of multiple grade 3 winner Elusive Quality had previously been conditioned by James Jerkens, and Quality Road was considered by many to be the favorite for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby but developed quarter cracks in both his right hind and right front hooves. Quality Road also won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes.

The bay colt was given the necessary time off and moved to Todd Pletcher’s barn. In his first start for his new conditioner after a 4-month layoff, Quality Road established a new track record in the 6½-furlong Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, winning in a time of 1:13.74. He followed that performance by placing in both the Grade 1 Travers (third) and Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup (second) over off tracks, with both surfaces being listed as sloppy. This will be Quality Road’s first start over a synthetic surface. He has lifetime earnings of $972,830. He will break from the outside from post position 12, and will have jockey John Velazquez in the irons.

“I think he’s legitimate, the rider said he hated the mud in his last two races, and he still ran second and third against the best horses out there,” said Stevens. “Should he like that surface, I think he has a real shot. He should like it better than the off-going, where he wasn’t able to get traction because of his size.”

Nite Light, a Grade 3 winning 5-year-old horse conditioned by Todd Pletcher, is scheduled to start in the $500,000 1¾-mile Breeders’ Cup Marathon on Nov. 6, and drew post position three and will have the services of jockey John Velazquez. The son of Eclipse Award winner and dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch has been a consistent performer, placing in 12 of 15 starts and winning the Grade 3 1 1/2-mile Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes on the Polytrack Classic surface on Sept. 12.

Nite Light, whose dam is multiple Grade 1 winner Lite Light, placed second in the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup at Hawthorne Park on Oct. 3. The bay horse was purchased by Spring Hill Farm at the Keeneland 2004 November Breeding Stock Sale for $190,000. The four-time stakes winner has bankrolled $473,900.

“He’s a nice horse, an honest horse and an improving horse, and we hope he’ll like the surface out there and likes the distance,” said Stevens.

11/04/2009 - His owner describes him as an affable horse - a pleasant sort of fellow who quietly goes about his business. But when he makes his move in a race, the horse named for his adopted hometown explodes down the track with the strength and grace only a few athletes possess.

Aikenite.

It may be a name the world is talking about come Derby time, and he hails from our own Dogwood Stables.

Saturday will be an important test - the $2 million Breeders' Cup at the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

After a strong second place showing at Dixiana Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., Aikenite is a serious contender for the race that will pit the world's fastest 2-year-olds against each other in a 1-1/16 mile race.

A win might clinch the Eclipse Award for Two-Year-Old Champion Colt, said Cot Campbell, owner of Dogwood Stables.

And then if all goes well it will be on to the Kentucky Derby in May.

Another Summer Squall - the great Dogwood Stables horse who went on to win the Preakness in 1990?

Maybe, Campbell said.

He paid $225,000 for the horse who today is valued at $1 million to $1.5 million. A win Saturday will take that even higher and make him a strong Derby contender.

Campbell said he picked the name Aikenite for the big strapping horse he took a shine to at an auction in Florida in February.

"I always thought Aikenite would be a good name for a horse," he said.

But it's risky naming a horse for your hometown. "Sometimes it doesn't work out."

Still, he saw something special in the horse.

"I know he's a good horse," he said. And he's the horse who deserved the special name. "It's a sharp name that cracks off the tongue and is easy to say."

Aiken is a special place, he said. The diversity brought to the community through the equine industry sets it apart. And having a champion bear the city's name will only help promote the city and draw attention to the horse industry.

This week signs reading "Go Aikenite" began appearing around town. And a few lucky people are sporting T-shirts with Aikenite's name. And it's a good bet that many locals will be crowded around their television sets for Saturday's 3:49 p.m. post time on ESPN.

"The goal is to win a gigantic race and strike a blow for Dogwood."

And this is a horse that just might do that.

Aikenite proved what kind of racer he was at Keeneland. Through most of the race he ran on the outside back in the pack. And then with a burst of speed that set him apart from the rest, Aikenite pulled up to the front to take second by just a half-length.

"Aikenite ran a fabulous race and almost got the winner's purse. It was a 14-horse field and it looked like a cavalry charge coming down the stretch. Our colt was five-wide for most of the race, yet was only beaten by a half-length. It was a very impressive effort - in what was only his third career start," Campbell said.

He likes the horse's racing style. "I prefer ones who try to conserve then make a run."

And how does he describe Aikenite's personality?

"He would be earnest. He would be affable. Not an edgy, nippy kind of horse."

His workout still is equally as laid-back. He works hard, but it's more to get the job done.

"He knows the difference between a workout in the morning and a race in the afternoon," Campbell said.

Aikenite goes into Saturday's race as the third seed, according to the official oddsmaker, he said.

Campbell will be at the race. He said he'll be nervous. "It will be stressful. This is a big deal."

Watch Aikenite at the Breeders' Futurity


How to watch Aikenite on Saturday

• Aikenite is running in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile race.

• Coverage of the Breeders' Cup begins on ABC at 1 p.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. ESPN picks up the coverage at 3:30 p.m., lasting until 7 p.m. Post time for Aikenite's race is 3:49 p.m.

What people are saying about Aikenite

"Perhaps the most intriguing Breeders' Futurity participant is runner-up Aikenite, who had to weave his way through a large field that day and in the Hopeful S. at Saratoga to nab minor shares in both. His pedigree is a bit speed-oriented as well, but that might be offset to some extent by his late-closing tendencies. So far, he's been able to run on anything at any distance - a useful animal indeed." - Vance Hanson in Bloodstock Journal

"He ran a big race time, showed he could handle the synthetics in the Breeders' Futurity. He's definitely improving race-by-race."
- Todd Pletcher, Aikenite's Trainer

"Others to watch for include Aikenite who has 2 consecutive runner-up finishes with 1 coming over the synthetic surface at Keeneland in the Grade-1 Breeders' Futurity. Aikenite looks for a breakthrough effort. If he has a clean trip, this horse just might deliver." - George Pepis, Horse Racing News

Aikenite's bona fides
• 2-year-old
• Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
• Jockey: Alan Garcia
• Owner: Dogwood Stables
• Sire: Yes It’s True
• Dam: Silverlado
• 2009 Earnings: $163,000
• 2009 Record: Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland – 2nd place; Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga – 3rd place; Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga – 1st place.

10/28/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's homebred Giant Mover lived up to his name with a powerful stretch run to win a 1-1/16-miles allowance race on the turf by three-quarters-of-a-length at the Meadowlands on Oct. 23. The Kiaran McLaughlin charge is by the 2000 European Horse of the Year Giant's Causeway and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Gainesway Thoroughbreds homebred Ronaldo came from off the pace to seize command entering the stretch and drew off to break his maiden by a comfortable 6+ lengths in a 6-furlong race Oct. 26 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort. The son of multiple Grade 1 winner Grand Slam is conditioned by Eduardo Caramori, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Michael Furr and Linda Sours'Deharry was in complete command for most of the race, shaking loose on the backstretch as the juvenile son of Dehere broke his maiden in a 6-½-furlong race Oct. 24 at Charles Town Races and Slots by 1-½ lengths. The West Virginia-bred colt is conditioned by Danny Furr.

Bobby Zahl's Debbie's Rose overcame a difficult start, trailing the field through three furlongs before making her move entering the stretch and drawing off to win a 6-furlong race at Hooiser Park on Oct. 22, paying $40.40 to win. The 5-year-old Indiana-bred daughter of Acceptable was bred and is trained by Zahl.

Aiken Trials Alumnus Delissimo led from gate to wire, winning a 4 -½-furlong race by 3+ lengths Oct. 25 at Charles Town Races and Slots. Owned by Bruce and Rita Snipes' Nekia Farm and trained by Steve Epley, the 4-year-old New York-bred son of Desert Warrior was bred by Robert Ross.

Michael and Patricia Palenscar's Smart Enuf turned back the challenge of rival Chinese Whisper (IRE) in the stretch to win a 1-1/16-mile race on the turf Oct. 21 at Belmont Park by a neck. The 4-year-old chestnut gelding was bred by the Palenscars, is conditioned by David Donk and was broken and trained by Suzy Haslup.

Flying Zee Stable's homebred Hangingonthefuture met his destiny breaking his maiden by 1-½ lengths in a 7-furlong race on the turf at Belmont Park on Oct. 23. The 3-year-old gelded son of Grade 1 placed Western Expression is trained by Phil Serpe and spent time at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Broken Fever broke the spirit of the rest of the field in breaking her maiden, winning a 1-mile race by daylight, capturing the contest by 8-½ lengths on Oct. 24 at Philadelphia Park. Stevens broke and trained the Virginia-bred filly.

10/27/2009 - Rutledge Farm’s Researcher led from gate to wire easily defending his title in the 1 1/8-miles HBPA Governor’s Cup Handicap at Charles Town Races and Slots on Oct. 16, winning by daylight under a hand ride from jockey Luis Perez, as the 5-year-old bay gelding cruised to a 14 1/4-length victory.

The Jeff Runco charge, who came out of the breeding program at the University of Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Bobby Zahl’s Linda’s Lace, who is by Marshall Lamb’s stallion Is Sveikatas, dusted off 10 rivals, to win the 1 1/16-miles Frances Slocum Stakes on Oct. 17 at Hoosier Park by 1 1/4-lengths, and paid $22 to win. The 6-year-old mare also won the 2008 edition of the race.

Mrs. Charles Fenwick’s Confined won the 2 1/8-miles Peapack-Guleph Hurdle Stakes Oct. 17 at Far Hills by 5-lengths. The daughter of Mojave Moon was bred by Jonathan Sheppard and Warren Dempsey, and is conditioned by Sheppard.

Darley’s Snowmaster broke his maiden by 1 1/2-lengths in a 1 1/8-miles race Oct. 17 at Keeneland. The chestnut son of Maria’s Mon is conditioned by Graham Motion, was bred by Stonerside Stable, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Stone Farm’s John Adger’s, Oakcrest Farm’s and Michael Stidham’s Upperline won a 1 1/16-miles allowance race by a head on Oct. 16 at Keeneland. The juvenile daughter of the 1995 2-Year-Old Male Eclispe Award winner Maria’s Mon, was bred by Stonerside Stable, is conditioned by Stidham and was broken and trained by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm’s Imaginary Saint took command entering the stretch to break his maiden by 6 1/2-lenghts in a One mile and 70 yards race Oct. 14 at Delaware Park. The 2-year-old daughter of the 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam is conditioned by 4-time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Carl Lizza’s Theartofcompromise won a 1-mile race at Belmont Park by 7-lengths. The 4-year-old gelding by Broken Vow was conditioned by Phil Serpe and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman’s Chime Bell Farm.

Carl Lizza’s Hangingonaprayer won a 6-furlong race, getting up in the final strides, to win by a nose Oct. 15 at Belmont Park. The 4-year-old filly by Grand Slam is trained by Carlos Martin, and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman’s Chime Bell Farm.

Mosaic Racing’s Vicarious has been a model of consistency finishing in the money in her last 6 starts. She placed second in a 1-mile allowance race Oct. 16 at Belmont Park. Vicarious was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup.

The Mike Keogh conditoned Mobil Unit placed 3rd in the 1 1/16-miles Cup and Saucer Stakes on the turf Oct. 18 at Woodbine.

10/15/2009 - The 2007 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Country Star’s half-brother, a juvenile colt by Storm Cat, won a 7-furlong allowance race on Oct. 9 opening day at Keeneland.

Darley’s Liston bred by Stonerside collared the lead entering the stretch but had to battle rival Call Shot to win by a neck. The 2-year-old is conditioned by Kiaran McLaughlin and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable’s Zapster led from gate to wire when he broke his maiden in his fourth start in a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf at Belmont Park on Oct 8. The juvenile son of the 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz’s Silent Whisper, a 2-year-old filly by the 2003 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Wando, was anything but quiet in breaking her maiden; she took command entering the top of the stretch and drew off to win the 1 1/16-mile contest by three-quarters of a length at Woodbine on Oct. 10. Mike Keogh trains the chestnut daughter of the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner.

Dogwood Stable’s Humble Pie broke his maiden by one length in a 1 1/16-mile race on Oct. 10 at Charles Town Races and Slots. The 4-year-old gelding is by the 2001 European 2-year-old male champion Johannesburg. The Christopher Grove charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Bobby Zahl’s Storm N Rosie broke her maiden by a half-length on Oct. 8 in a 6-furlong race at Hoosier Park after finishing second her last time out. The 4-year-old chestnut South Carolina-bred filly by Ride the Storm is also trained by Zahl.

Darley’s Tizaqueena placed second in the Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 10. The multiple graded stakes winning daughter of Tiznow is conditioned by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

10/12/2009 - A nearly gate-to-wire victory by Cowboy Cal showed who was fastest on the draw. It was a stellar performance Saturday afternoon at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park by the newest millionaire to train over the Aiken Training Track as Robert and Janice McNair's Cowboy Cal added to his already impressive resume by winning the Grade 2 Oak Tree Mile on the turf.

It was the third Grade 2 win at Santa Anita Park in 2009 for the 4-year-old dark bay colt by Giant's Causeway. Cowboy Cal's win earned him a slot in either the Breeders' Cup Turf Mile or Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

A decision will be made where to run the Todd Pletcher charge in the near future, said John Adger, the McNair's racing and bloodstock manager. He covered the distance in 1:33.12 to win by a half length. Jockey Garrett Gomez rode him to victory.

"He was really good, and we're really proud of him," said Adger. "We were hoping that he would run well; he had never run over the Santa Anita turf course. I think that was the best race he's ever run. He was very fast."

Cowboy Cal won the Grade 2 San Pasqual and Grade 2 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita Park this winter while racing over the Pro-Ride surface.

It appears that a triumvirate of runners who have trained over the Aiken Training Track will be running in the Breeders' Cup on Nov. 7. In addition to Cowboy Cal, Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road is being pointed toward the Breeders' Cup Classic, and Dogwood Stable's Aikenite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Cowboy Cal has placed 13 times in 17 starts, winning seven times, placing second five times and finishing third once to increase his lifetime bankroll to $1,001,810.

10/10/2009 - He's run in the money in each of his three starts, but the second-place effort of Dogwood Stable's Aikenite on Saturday in the Grade I 1 1/16-mile Dixiana Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland has earned him a trip to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and a start in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Nov. 7

Aikenite's performance Saturday resounded loudly in the world of Thoroughbred racing and through an area whose rich equestrian heritage is woven deeply into the fabric of the community. The brilliant 2-year-old colt is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and closed strongly to finish a half-length behind the winner, Noble's Promise.

"I'm tickled to death," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. "He had running on his mind, and I knew he wasn't going to stop."

Aikenite raced off the pace, was five wide early and launched his bid with three furlongs left in the race, making up ground on the leaders under the confident handling of jockey Alan Garcia.

"I'm elated at his performance," said Campbell. "He was lucky and good. There was a 14-horse field and to get through that crowd, you had to be good and you had to have plenty of luck. If the race was three more jumps, he would have won."

The son of Grade I winner Yes It's True broke his maiden in his first start and placed third in the Grade I Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Sept. 7. The Florida-bred colt was purchased from Eisaman Equine's consignment at the February 2009 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Select 2-year-olds in Training Sale for $225,000.

Aikenite appeared to have no problem with the synthetic surface at Keeneland. He'll be competing on another synthetic surface at Santa Anita Park. "He had a very fast work on the synthetic surface at the 2-year-old sale," said Campbell. "I have a lot of confidence in him. He has the temperament and class to ship well. He understands what's going on. I'm absolutely delighted, and Garcia is elated over him. We'll go back to Belmont and train there, and then go to California three or four days before the Breeders' Cup."

Aikenite increased his lifetime earnings to $163,000.

10/8/2009 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite returns to action tomorrow in the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.

"We obvioulsy have to take his 2-year-old campaign one race at a time," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president, in a press release.

Robert and Janice McNair's Cowboy Cal will break from the nine hole tomorrow in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Mile on the turf. The 4-year-old son of Giant's Causeway won two Grade 2 stakes this winter at Santa Anita over the synthetic Pro-Ride surface - the San Pasqual and the Strub Stakes.

Darley's graded stakes winner Tizaqueena will start in the Grade 1 First Lady Handicap Saturday on the turf at Keeneland.

Darley's Abby's Angel recovered from a difficult start to assume the lead early in the 1 1/16 Indian Maid Handicap Saturday at Hawthorne, winning by 6 1/2-lengths with jockey Jon Court in the irons. The Mike Stidham charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Aiken-trained horses placed first and second in the 1 1/16-mile Quick Mischief Stakes Oct. 1 at Belmont Park. Spring Hill stakes winner Spritely took command entering the stretch, seizing the lead from Aiken Trials alumnus and graded stakes winner Sea Chanter, and drew clear to win by 2 3/4-lengths. Both Spritely and Sea Chanter are trained by Todd Pletcher. Spritely was broken and trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens, and Sea Chanter was broken and trained by Tim Jones.

Rutledge Farm won consecutive races Oct. 2 at Charles Town Races and Slots with Senor Rutledge, a juvenile colt by the 2001 European Champion 2-year-old Colt Johannesburg, and Aiken Trials alumnus French Kitty. Senor Rutledge collared the leader in the deep stretch and broke his maiden in his first start, winning a 6 1/2-furlong race by 1 3/4-lengths. The gray colt is trained by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

French Kitty, also conditioned by Runco, raced close to the lead through the 1 1/16-miles allowance race before closing in deep stretch and holding off her rival Shefoggedupmyglasses to win by a neck. A 3-year-old daughter of Grade 2 winner Tale of the Cat, French Kitty was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Manchester Farm's homebred Future Direction found his destiny by winning a 1 mile and 70 yards maiden special weight race Sunday at Louisiana Downs by 6 1/4-lengths and paid $15 to win. The son of the 1995 Eclipse Award winning 2-Year-Old Male Maria's Mon is conditioned by Eric Heitzmann and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Fox Ridge Farm's Pynaformer broke his maiden by 1 1/4-lengths in a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf on Oct. 1 at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old gelded son of multiple Grade 2 winner Dynaformer is conditioned by Pat Kelly and was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup.

Dogwood Stable's Cleric, an Aiken Trials alumnus, broke his maiden by 1 1/4-lengths Sunday in a 6 1/2-furlong race at Philadelphia Park. The 3-year-old gelding is by Vicar and is trained by George Weaver. Cleric was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Grade 1 winner Quality Road placed second in the Grade 1 1 1/4-miles Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes Saturday at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old son of Elusive Quality is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Another Spring Hill charge Grade 3 winner Nite Light, who is by dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch and out of multiple Grade 1 winner Light Lite, placed second in the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap Saturday at Hawthorne. The 5-year-old was broken and trained by Ron Stevens.

Edward Evans' Pleasant Strike who was the leading male Virginia-bred earner in 2007, bankrolling $178,300, placed second Saturday in the 1 1/16-miles Grade 3 Cliff Hanger Stakes on the turf at the Meadowlands. Pleasant Strike was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz's First Circle placed second Sunday in the 1 1/8-miles Carotene Stakes on the turf at Woodbine. The daughter of Langfuhr is conditioned by Mike Keogh, who broke and trained the filly at the Aiken Training Track.

Fox Ridge Farm's Yield Bogey ran third in the 1 mile Grade 3 Kelso Stakes Sunday at Belmont Park. The race had originally been scheduled for the turf. The 5-year-old gelded son of Langfuhr was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Lansdon B. Robbins, III's and AZ Azalea Stables Fuzzy Britches placed third Sunday in the Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park. The 2-year-old filly by Pollard's Vision was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Lansdon Robbins, III's multiple stakes winner Legal Consent placed third in the 6 1/2-furlong Sir Keys Stakes Oct. 2 at Belmont Park. Legal Consent was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Ron Stevens

9/30/2009 - Malibu Prayer set the early fractions and then exploded in the stretch to win the 1-mile Cat Chat Stakes by 6 3/4-lengths Sept. 23 at Belmont Park. The Spring Hill Farm homebred filly by Malibu Moon is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Gainesway Stable and Joseph Cornacchia's Touching Beauty placed second Sept. 19 in the Grade 2 Matron at Belmont Park. The 2-year-old daughter of Tapit is conditioned by James Jerkens and was sent off at odds of 16-1 and paid $14.60 to place. Touching Beauty was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Literary Lion Farm's Solvent closed strongly in the stretch and got up in the final strides to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on the turf at Belmont Park on Sept. 26 by a nose. The New York-bred gelded son of Banker's Gold is conditioned by George Weaver and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Snap Happy set the early pace and than held off Zipper Zapper to win a 6-furlong allowance race Sept. 24 at Turfway Park. The 2-year-old daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Lion Heart is trained by Dallas Stewart and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Weekend Strike struck again in finding the winner's circle with a half-length victory in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on the turf Sept. 24 at Monmouth Park paying $11.80 to win. The chestnut daughter of Grade 1 winner Smart Strike is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Penny Lauer's Marvelous Gaze more than handled the off-track Sept. 25 at Hoosier Park. The bay 3-year-old daughter of Grade 2 winner Proud Citizen took command at the head of the stretch and drew off to win by 19 + lengths in the slop in the 1-mile race breaking her maiden easily. Marvelous Gaze was bred by the late William Carl, is conditioned by Michael Lauer and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

JEOG Racing's Carlos Me caught Danzel Brendemuehl's Heavy Money in the stretch and drew off to break his maiden by 2-lengths in a 5-furlong race at Presque Isle Downs on Sept. 24. The 3-year-old gelded son of Grade 1 winner Indian Charlie is conditioned by Wayne Mogge and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Lansdon Robbins III's Solutionist solved the problem, breaking his maiden by 4 -½ lengths in a 5 -½-furlong race at Finger Lakes on Sept. 25. The gray colt by Grade 1 winner Gone West is trained by Chris Englehart and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

9/26/2009 - George Schwartz's homebred Way With Words won her third stakes race of the 2009 Monmouth Park meet with a 1-length victory Sept. 20 in the 1 1/16-mile Politely Stakes. The 5-year-old New Jersey-bred bay mare is conditioned by Mary Eppler and won the Spruce Fir Handicap and the Eleven North Handicap earlier this year. It was Way With Words' eighth lifetime win in 18 starts, and she has now bankrolled $350,590. The mare trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

It was a triumphant return for the 2008 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year and the 2008 Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old male, Godolphin's Midshipman. The son of Grade 1 winner Unbridled's Song won his 3-year-old debut, a 6¬½-furlong allowance race Sept. 18 at Belmont Park by 3 lengths. Midshipman's win marked his return to the races after a 328-day absence. He had suffered a soft tissue injury to his left foreleg this winter while training in Dubai. Midshipman was bred by Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Bob Zahl's homebred Storm N Rosie Lace broke her maiden Sept. 17 at Hoosier Park. The 4-year-old South Carolina-bred filly by Ride the Storm won the 6¬½-furlong race by 2 lengths. In addition to being the breeder and owner of Storm N Rosie Lace, Zahl conditons the filly, who was broken and trained in Aiken.

Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road, who placed third in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes, had a 5-furlong work Sept. 20 and is being pointed toward the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational on Oct. 3 at Belmont Park. Quality Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Jambalaya, who was bred by Gustav Schickedanz, returned to the winners' circle Sept. 18 in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race. The 7-year-old gelded son of Langfuhr won the 2007 Arlington Million.

9/23/2009 - He may not have been the biggest horse, but it was the size of his heart and electrifying performances that would energize a community.

Dogwood Stable's Summer Squall, who captured the imagination of the nation with his stirring victory in the 1990 Preakness, was euthanized Tuesday due to complications from old age. Summer Squall was 22 years old.

"He certainly was a key factor in Dogwood Stable's success through the years and was a Classic winner who sired a champion that we raced. There was never more an admired horse," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

It's a poignant walk down memory lane for Campbell when he thinks back to the time he purchased the bay colt.

"Buying Summer Squall was like throwing a stone in a pool," said Campbell. "The ripples went out year after year."

Summer Squall demonstrated his ability and courage on the racetrack and was undefeated during his 2-year-old campaign.

"He was a brilliant and intelligent horse, he knew what racing was about," said Campbell. "He liked it that racing was rough and tumble. And when another horse would bump him, it would light his competitive fire even more."

Campbell's close relationship with Summer Squall continued after the horse retired from racing and joined the stallion roster at Lane's End in Versailles, Ky.

"I would go to see him two or three times a year every year and give him peppermints," said Campbell. "The last time I saw him, this spring, he had a ruehmie look in his eye, and a look about him suggesting there wasn't much time left. It was the first time that I had seen him that it wasn't a source of pleasure. He was getting up in age, and he sent that signal."

A phone call from Lane's End's farm manager Mike Cline on Tuesday informed Campbell that the farm had intended to euthanize the millionaire stakes winner, but they wanted to notify him first, he said.

"I knew the phone call would eventually come," said Campbell. "They're going to bury him at Lane's End. I'm going to write a note to Lane's End thanking them for providing him such a nice place to stand as a stallion."

Summer Squall was pensioned in 2004, and as a stallion sired the 1999 Horse-of-the-Year Charismatic, the 1996 Eclipse Award winning Two-Year-Old Female Storm Song (owned and raced by Dogwood Stable) and millionaire filly Summer Colony.

"After they pensioned him, they could have sent him elsewhere, but it was a great compliment to the horse that he remained at Lane's End," said Campbell. "I'll always be grateful to them for that. It's the end of a long, great and wonderful chapter for us. It's been great, nobody could be more grateful to a human being or an entity as I am to Summer Squall. I remember the first time I saw him, the last time I saw him and a whole lot of times in between."

Summer Squall was broken and trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens at the Aiken Training Track. The bay horse wasn't that big, he said, but he trained, raced and acted like a giant.

"He was the most important horse I've handled in my career," said Stevens. "He and Dogwood Stable put me on the map. I've never been around a more courageous horse. I thought he would hang around a little longer. It's a sad day, but it brings back a lot of wonderful memories."

9/19/2009 - The 2008 Aiken-Trained Horse of the Year and 2008 Eclipse Award wining 2-year-old Male, Godolphin’s Midshipman, won his first start in 328 days, over a conventional dirt surface in a 6 ½-furlong allowance race Friday at Belmont Park.

The chestnut colt increased his lifetime earnings to $1,409,600.

Midshipman won his sophomore debut in his first start for trainer Saeed bin Suroor; he had previously been conditioned by Bob Baffert. In addition to winning the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he captured the Grade 2 Del Mar Futurity during his 2-year-old campaign. Midshipman had sustained a soft tissue injury to his left fore leg this winter while training in Dubai. Midshipman was bred by Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

9/19/2009 - It pays to be bad. Naughty New Yorker is the latest horse that have trained over the Aiken Training Track and joined the millionaire ranks, and he is being pointed to an overnight stake this week at Belmont Park.

The 7-year-old son of Quiet American was trained by Sally Cluff for Fox Ridge Farm during his time in Aiken and is currently in the barn of New York-based conditioner Pat Kelly.

Naughty New Yorker was bred by Dr. William B. Wilmot and Dr. Joan Taylor and had originally been consigned to the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he failed to meet his reserve.

He was consigned the following year to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Select 2-year-olds in Training Sale, where he was purchased by Peter Schiff's Fox Ridge Farm from the consignment of Nick de Meric for $145,000.

A durable campaigner, Naughty New Yorker's next race will be his 50th start. The bay horse has 12 victories and 11 stakes wins. He crossed the $1 million plateau by placing second in the 1-1/8-mile Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 28. The New York-bred son of Grade 1 winner Quiet American now boasts career earnings of $1,001,875.

"I've got him pointed toward an overnight stake for New York-breds on the turf this week if it makes it," said Kelly. "I wanted to run him in the General Douglas MacArthur Handicap (a stakes race he has won twice), but that's no longer on the fall Belmont schedule. He bounced back nicely in the Funny Cide."

There are no current plans to retire Naughty New Yorker for stallion duty, and it appears he'll be campaigning through the fall and into the winter, said Kelly.

"We're going to hang in there for the rest of the year," said Kelly. "We're going to point toward the Alex M. Robb Handicap (a race Naughty New Yorker has won twice and placed second in once) at the end of the year."

9/15/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's Nite Light made it look easy in wiring the field, winning the Grade 3 Turfway Park Fall Championship Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park. The 5-year-old son of dual Classic winner and 1995 Eclipse Award winning 3-year-old male Thunder Gulch is out of the multiple Grade 1 winning broodmare Lite Light. He cruised to a 5 3/4-length victory in the 1 ½-mile race. The bay horse is conditioned by 4-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher and increased his lifetime bankroll to $379,900. Nite Lite was broken and trained in Aiken by legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Godolphin's Midshipman, the 2008 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old male, who last raced in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, may be making his next start in the Grade 2 Jerome on Oct. 11 at Belmont Park, according to the Blood-Horse. Bred by Stonerside Stable, Midshipman sustained a soft tissue injury to his left foreleg this winter while training in Dubai. Midshipman was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Spring Hill Farm's Forty Moons annihilated the field, leading from gate to wire, breaking her maiden in her first start and winning by 10 lengths in a 6-furlong race Sunday at Belmont Park. The juvenile filly is by Malibu Moon and is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens broke and trained Forty Moons in Aiken.

Nekia Farm's Delissimo stayed close to the pacesetter early, then seized command and drew off to break his maiden by 2+ lengths in a 4 ½-furlong race Thursday at Charles Town Races and Slots. The 4-year-old New York-bred gelding is trained by Steve Epley Jr., who broke and trained the son of Desert Warrior in Aiken.

Doris Tummillo's Suddenly Perfect, the first horse to set foot on the Palmetto Thoroughbred Training Center, stalked the early leader and then took control in breaking his maiden by four lengths in a 1 1/16-mile race Sunday at Arlington Park. The 3-year-old chestnut gelding is by the 1992 Eclipse Award winning Champion OIder Male Pleasant Tap, out of the graded stakes placed broodmare Star of Atticus.

Jack Steel and Jack Smith III's Thoroughbred Zigawatt collared the leader in mid-stretch to win a 1-mile race by 2+ lenghts last Wednesday at Turfway Park. The 4-year-old gelding is by the 1988 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter Gulch and is conditioned by Bobby Barnett. Zigawatt was bred by Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

9/10/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's Mambo Fever collared the leader in midstretch and than drew off to break her maiden by a neck in a 7-furlong race Sunday at Saratoga. The 2-year-old Virginia-bred filly is by Stormin Fever, is conditioned by Anthony Dutrow and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Candice Smith's Caprice broke her maiden by 4-lengths Friday at Philadelphia Park in a 1-mile and 70-yards race. The 4-year-old Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Diamond is also conditioned by Smith.

Fairwinds Farm's Indian Ink won a 1-mile allowance race Sunday at River Downs by 9-½-lengths. The 4-year-old Ohio-bred daughter of Gold Market is trained by Mike Rone and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Eli Gindi and Morris Bailey's Billions Boy broke his maiden Monday in a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf at Saratoga. The juvenile son of Johannesburg is conditioned by John Kimmel and was broken and trained by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Aikenite finished third in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes Monday at Saratoga. The son of Yes It's True trained in Aiken with Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Aikenite is being pointed toward the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 10.

"Our 2-year-olds acquitted themselves well during the Saratoga meet," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. "We loved that we finished this all important race meet with Aikenite's strong showing."

Oakcrest Stable and John Adger's U Appeal to Me placed second in the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity Stakes at Arlington Park Saturday.

Spring Hill Farm's homebred Pleasant Strike placed second Sunday in the Grade 3 Red Bank Stakes at Monmouth Park. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Lansdon Robbins III's and Samuel Delaney's Fuzzy Britches placed second in the 6-furlong Sorority Stakes Saturday at Monmouth Park. The Aiken Trials alumnus is trained by Richard Dutrow, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

9/3/2009 - Three local 2-year-old horses are among the entries for the Grade 3 1-1/16-miles With Anticipation Stakes on the turf at Saratoga on Friday.

Dogwood Stable is sending out the entry of Aiken Trials alumnus Zapster and Golly Day, and should the race come off the grass and on to the main track, Aikenite will become part of the field. The With Anticipation will also feature Glenn Thompson's Continental Mile stakes winner Two Notch Road, who drew the No. 3 hole. Zapster will be starting from post position 4, and Golly Day drew the 9 post.

"He's (Two Notch Road) doing well; he galloped 2 miles yesterday (Tuesday)," said Thompson, in a phone interview Wednesday morning. "He galloped a mile-and-a-quarter this morning (Wednesday), and he's feeling good."

It was a Legacy Stable-trained exacta as Spring Hill Farm's Subprime and Mike Rutherford and Terry Green's High Quail ran first and second in a 1-1/16-miles allowance race at Delaware Park on Aug. 26. Anthony Dutrow conditions the winner, who exploded in the stretch to win by 6 lenghts. The 3-year-old dark bay filly is by multiple Grade 1 winner High Yield.

Farnsworth Stables' Jelly Roll won a 1 1/8-miles allowance race on the turf at Woodbine Aug. 23 by 1-1/2 lengths. The 4-year-old Smart Strike filly is conditioned by three-time Sovereign Award winning Trainer Mark Casse. The Spring Hill Farm bred filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

John Salvato's Drizzly collared the lead from another Aiken broken and trained horse, Bad Boy Rising, in the stretch to win a 1-mile and 70-yards race Tuesday at Finger Lakes. The 7-year-old gelded New York-bred of Summer Squall is trained by Brian McCall, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Clinton Wolfe's Song Sung Sweet rallied late to get up in the stretch and win a 6-furlong race at Penn National on Aug. 22 by a neck. The 3-year-old Pennsylvania-bred filly is conditioned by Tim Seeger and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Hesa Stable's Bad Boy Rising rose to the occasion on Aug. 23, setting the early pace and holding on to win by a head in a 1 mile and 70 yards race at Finger Lakes. The New York-bred son of Freud paid $62 to win. Bad Boy Rising is conditioned by Daniel Poliziani, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Candice Smith's homebred Moccasin Run closed with a furious turn of foot to win a 1-mile and 70-yards race by a 1/2 legnth Saturday at Philadelphia Park. The 4-year-old chestnut colt by Waquoit is trained by Smith.

Dogwood Stable's Coal Baron destroyed the field leading from gate to wire, winning a 1-mile and 70-yards race at River Downs on Friday by 7 lengths. The 3-year-old gelding by the 2003 Horse-of-the-Year Mineshaft is trained by Elwood McCann Jr., and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's track record-setter Kickapoo won a 6-furlong race Aug. 24 at Saratoga wiring the field, and winning by 3 -1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old son of Indian Charlie is conditioned by 4-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained by Ron Stevens.

Robert and Janice McNair's multiple graded stakes winner Cowboy Cal placed second Friday in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Stakes at Saratoga. The son of Giant's Causeway was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Spring Hill Farm's homebred stakes winner Spritely placed second Sunday in the Grade 2 Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained by Ron Stevens.

Fox Ridge Farm's Naughty New Yorker placed second Friday in the Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga. The son of Quiet American is conditioned by Pat Kelly and was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Spring Hill Farm's Grade 1 winner and track record setter Quality Road placed third Saturday in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes. The 3-year-old by multiple graded stakes winner Elusive Quality was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

8/24/2009 - George Schwartz's Way With Words, who won the Spruce Fir Handicap on July 12 at Monmouth Park, took command entering the stretch and won the 6-furlong Eleven North Handicap Sunday at Monmouth Park by four lengths. The 5-year-old New Jersey-bred mare is trained by Mary Eppler and increased her lifetime earnings to more than $300,000 with the victory. Way With Words trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Dogwood Stable's Golly Day made a move four wide entering the stretch and broke his maiden by 3-1/4 lengths in a 1-1/16 mile race on the turf Thursday at Saratoga. The juvenile chestnut gelding by Lion Heart is conditioned by George Weaver and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Another Dogwood charge was successful in breaking his maiden Sunday at Laurel Park. Arizona Sunset rode off a winner, collaring the leader entering the stretch before posting a 1-1/2 length victory in the 7-furlong race. The son of Grade 1 winner Sky Mesa is trained by Christopher Grove and was trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Maggi Moss' Free Brave waited until the final strides to win a 6-furlong allowance race by a head on Aug. 16 at Arlington Park. The 4-year-old gelded son of the 1994 Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Cherokee Run is trained by Tom Amoss, was bred by Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Fuzzy Britches (Aiken Trials alumnus Lansdon Robbins III and Samuel Delaney) broke her maiden at Monmouth Park in a 5-1/2 furlong race. The juvenile daughter of Pollard's Vision is trained by Richard Dutrow and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Richard Duchossois' homebred First of February closed strongly to get up by a nose and win a 1-1/16 mile allowance race on the turf Wednesday at Arlington Park. The 3-year-old filly is conditioned by Chris Block and was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stables.

Spring Hill Farm's Giant Mover did just that by making a giant move entering the stretch to win a 1-1/8 mile allowance race on the turf Aug. 16 at Monmouth Park. The chestnut filly by Giant's Causeway is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Malibu Prayer placed second in the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks on Aug. 15 at Monmouth Park. The Todd Pletcher charge had finished second in the Grade 2 Delaware Oaks and Grade 1 Mother Goose Stakes earlier this year. The 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Casanova Move placed third in the 1-1/4 mile Grade 1 Alabama Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga. The 3-year-old filly is trained by Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

8/22/2009 - For a horse that had never placed in a race, Glenn Thompson’s Two Notch Road made the most of his opportunity by breaking his maiden in a stakes race last Saturday in the Continental Mile on the turf course at Monmouth Park.

The horse won by 1-1/4 lengths under the confident handling of jockey Shannon Uske. The juvenile gelding started from the eight hole in a field of 10 entries, raced close to the leaders throughout the contest and took command entering the stretch.

It was Two Notch Road’s fourth start. He had never finished better than sixth in his first three starts. He paid $216.40 to win and increased his bankroll to $37,140.

“You wait a long time to have a good horse like this,” said Thompson. “He came out of the race well, and you hope that he’ll be able to keep it up.”

Thompson hasn’t decided where he’ll point Two Notch Road next, but he is considering a $40,000 allowance race for non-winners of two races at Monmouth Park.

“I’m thinking about putting him in that race to build his confidence and then tackling the bigger guys later on,” said Thompson.

The 2-year-old son of Partner’s Hero was raised by a blind nurse mare, said Thompson. A Grade 2 winner Partner’s Hero has enjoyed success with throwing horses who have a predilection for the turf, and Two Notch Road seems to possess those attributes.

“He was a cheeky rascal; he nearly threw me off a couple of times in Aiken,” said Thompson. “He’s a strong horse.”

If Two Notch Road had not thrown jockey Jose Velez in the post parade prior to being scratched from the maiden $25,000 claiming race the previous week, the dark bay gelding would have easily won that contest, said Thompson. It was fate that had the 2-year-old start in the Continental Mile last Saturday. The trainer didn’t hesitate in naming the horse after the road adjacent to the Aiken Training Track. Thompson purchased the horse from James Hackman, Two Notch Road’s breeder for $2,500 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2008 Eastern Fall Yearling Sale.

Thompson, in addition to conditioning Two Notch Road at the racetrack, broke and trained the gelding in Aiken at the Aiken Training Track.

“I couldn’t believe the name hadn’t been taken,” said Thompson. “It’s incredible to think of all of those horses who’ve walked across that road to the Training Track. I love training my horses in Aiken. It’s one of the best places to break babies. The weather’s perfect.”

Thompson received an offer for Two Notch Road after his victory in the Continental Mile but declined to sell the horse. “The way I felt after he won the race is a feeling you can’t buy,” said Thompson. “I may sell an interest in him, but I’m going to keep an interest in him.”

8/16/09 - Glenn Thompson's Two Notch Road had a smooth ride Saturday as the dark bay gelded juvenile son of Partner's Hero, who raced close to the pace, took command entering the stretch and won by 1-1/4 lengths under the handling of jockey Shannon Uske in the Continental Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Owned and trained by Glenn Thompson, the namesake of the thoroughfare that's adjacent to the Aiken Training Track took on another meaning Saturday at the Oceanport, N.J., oval. Two Notch Road paid $216.40 to win, going off at odds of 107.20-1.

"I'm the kind of guy who likes to shoot for the moon," said Thompson. "I had to fight between this race and a maiden $25,000 claiming race last week."

Thompson entered Two Notch Road in the maiden claimer, but fate intervened.

"I thought I would be smart; I could use a little money and wanted to build his confidence," said Thompson. "During the post parade, he drops Jose Velez (Two Notch Road's jockey), and he goes running off. He stopped at the 3/4 pole and starts to eat grass. It took the $25,000 claimer out of the equation. He was scratched."

It seemed as if Two Notch Road was meant to start in the Continental Mile, and he certainly raised some eyebrows, said Thompson. James Hackman, who bred the horse and owned his sisters and brothers, entered Two Notch Road into the Maryland sale, where Thompson bought him for $2,500.

Carl Lizza's Theartofcompromise had the good fortune of not living up to his name, taking the lead in deep stretch and holding on in the final strides to win a 7-furlong allowance race by a neck Saturday at Saratoga. The 4-year-old New York-bred gelding by Broken Vow is conditioned by Phil Serpe and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Darley's Liston, a half-brother to the 2007 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Country Star, threw a knockout punch in breaking his maiden by one length Saturday in a 6-furlong race at Saratoga. It was the same race that featured the debut of Dogwood's Stable's Brother Bird, a half-brother to the 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird. Liston was bred by Stonerside Stable and broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable's Snap Happy unleashed a furious run late to break her maiden by three-quarters of a length Thursday to win a 5-½ furlong race at Saratoga. The juvenile daughter of Lion Heart is conditioned by Dallas Stewart.

Gustav Schickedanz's Cheers Mate raised a toast Thursday in winning a 6-½ furlong race by 1-3/4 lengths at Woodbine, paying $68.80 to win. The 4-year-old gelded son of Langfuhr is conditioned by and was broken and trained in Aiken by Mike Keogh.

James Hackman's Forensic Edge gave his investigators a distinct advantage, winning a 1-mile-and-70-yard race by four lengths Friday at Monmouth Park. The 5-year-old daughter of Boundary is conditioned, broken and trained in Aiken by Glenn Thompson.

8/11/09 - Dogwood Stable president Cot Campbell was featured in The Saratogian after being interviewed by Michael Veitch about his thoughts on the Thoroughbred industry. The interview appeared in the Aug. 5 issue.

Dogwood Stable's Aikenite, who started from the 10-hole in a field of 11 horses, raced closed to the pace before reining in the leader Rein King to win a 6-furlong Maiden Special Weight race Sunday at Saratoga by 2-½ lengths under a confident ride by jockey John Velazquez.

"You've got a good one here, boss," Mary Jane Howell said Velazquez told Campbell about Aikenite when getting off the horse. The Todd Pletcher charge was purchased for $225,000 by Dogwood Stable at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company February Select 2-year-olds in Training Sale from the consignment of Eisaman Equine and is now being pointed toward the Grade 1 hopeful.

It was the first start for the son of Yes It's True, who was trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

The 2007 Aspirant Stakes winner Camelia Casby's Law Enforcement won the 6-½ furlong John Morrisey Stakes at Saratoga Thursday afternoon. The son of multiple graded stakes winner Posse is trained by Mark Hennig and paid $16.20 to win. The 4-year-old New York-bred colt was broken and trained by Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz's and D. Howard's Mobil Unit set the early fractions and was in command throughout the race as the 2-year-old gelding broke his maiden, winning by 3+ lengths last Monday at Woodbine. The son of millionaire Mobil is conditioned by and was broken and trained in Aiken by Mike Keogh.

Darley's Andiron broke his maiden by 2-3/4 lengths on the inner turf track Saturday at Saratoga in a 1-1/8 mile race. The son of the 1992 Horse of the Year, A.P. Indy, closed late to win convincingly and paid $19.20 to win. Kiaran McLaughlin trains Andiron, who was bred by Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stables and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Spring Hill Farm's Mini Shaft broke her maiden Sunday at Saratoga in a 1-1/8 mile turf race at Saratoga by a neck. The 3-year-old daughter of the 2003 Horse of the Year, Mineshaft, is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Rutledge Farm's stakes winner Colonel Rutledge returned to the winner's circle Sunday with a 3+-length victory. The son of the 2002 Eclipse Award-winning Sprinter Orientate took command early and never looked back. The 3-year-old chestnut colt is trained by Graham Motion and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Marc Keller's Grade 1 winner Bribon (FR) won a 1-mile allowance race on the turf Sunday at Saratoga, increasing his bankroll to $772,807. The 6-year-old son of Mark of Esteem (IRE) is conditioned by Bobby Ribaudo and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

ohn Adger and Oak Crest Farm's juvenile U Appeal to Me placed second in the 7-furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes on Saturday at Arlington Park.

Fox Ridge Farm's Planets Aligned placed third Thursday in the 2 1/16-mile Grade 1 A.P. Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase Stakes at Saratoga. Planets Aligned was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Spring Hill Farm's Cat Moves, who won the Grade 1 Prioress, placed third in the Grade 1 Test on Saturday at Saratoga. The Anthony Dutrow charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Darley's Kiawah Cat placed third in the 1-mile John Hettinger Stakes on the inner turf course at Saratoga. The Bill Mott charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Fairwinds Farm's Indian Ink placed third in the 1 1/16-mile Vivacious Handicap on the turf. The Ohio-bred filly is conditioned by Mike Rone and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Spring Hill Farm's Pleasant Strike finished third in the 1 1/16-mile Oceanport Stakes on Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park. The Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Aiken Training Track President, Ron Stevens

8/6/2009 - The Aiken Trials will be taking a much more cost effective approach to this year's race card and organizers will be directing their energies toward making the event more family-oriented.

The wholesome, safe and controlled environment, should make the first leg of the Triple Crown one of the most sought-after tickets during the spring season. Plans don't call for a Starting Gate Party the Thursday evening prior to the Aiken Trials or the VIP tent party with band, bar and catered food on race day in 2010.

The race sponsors will still have a tent area by the finish line, said Bernadette Clayton, Aiken Training Track treasurer.

"We're going to make the sponsorships a little more economical," said Ron Stevens, Legacy Stables and Aiken Training Track president. "We're going to promote tailgating, picnics and family activities. We're trying to simplify it and make it more of a family fun day and atmosphere."

The Aiken Training Track mile track will reopen the middle of next week. It had been closed temporarily for maintenance.

"We just finished resurfacing the track," said Stevens. "We added 1,000 yards of cushion to the track. Every summer we do a little maintenance, adding to the track, fixing it up, blading it, grading it; we roll it and pack it. This year we brought some equipment in and measured it. We wanted it 3-½ inches, and we were short, and we brought in 1,000 yards of cushion."

8/6/2009 - At first glance, she may not have seemed all that impressive, but a dark bay filly appears to posses intangible attributes that aren't obvious to the casual observer.

Noneofyourbeeswax, a juvenile daughter of Grade 1 winner Honour and Glory, who's out of the Honey Jay mare Honey Bee Pink, won her first stakes start, wiring the field in the 5-½-furlong Kevin Goemmer Tah Dah Stakes at River Downs on July 26. Ironically, she's owned by Wire to Wire Racing, LLC and was bred in Ohio by Fair Winds Farm. She's conditioned by Mike Rone, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

The 2-year-old filly held onto the win by a neck after establishing the early fractions. She broke her maiden at first asking in a 5-furlong race at River Downs, winning convincingly by 4+ lengths. Noneofyourbeeswax was a plain, short little fat thing, said Tucker.

"She was such a character," said Tucker. "She was a little, brown, roly-poly thing. We used to have to go into her stall and wake her up from a snoring sleep so she could train. I loved her. Kim and Lori Williams (Fair Winds Farm) are having a fantastic meet, and I couldn't be happier. They are such nice people, and they deserve the success."

She was known around the barn as Beezy, and was a well-balanced individual who trained well, said Tucker.

"We sent her to Mike Rone, and when he got her he liked her," said Tucker. "She's a speedy little thing. Honour and Glory gave her that little turn of foot."

Noneofyourbeeswax has two wins from two starts, and has bankrolled $38,440.

8/5/2009 - A little time off can do wonders, but it helps to have talent and ability. The connections of Quality Road are able to substantiate that statement after the 3-year-old colt's electrifying stakes and track record-setting performance in the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes Monday afternoon at Saratoga Race Course. Quality Road had jockey John Velazquez in the irons, and it was his first start in more than four months, after sustaining two quarter cracks which ultimately derailed him from the Triple Crown trail. It was also the first start for the Spring Hill Farm homebred while being under the charge of four-time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher. Quality Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

"He's a nice horse," said Stevens. "The victory was his most impressive run. He went fast and kept on going. He didn't look like he was used up. He seems to have come out of the race fine."

In addition to setting the record in the 6-½-furlong Amsterdam, the son of Grade 1 winner Elusive Quality blistered the field and demonstrated his ability to go a route in winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park, winning by a margin of 1+ lengths and covering the distance in 1.47.72 seconds. His victory in the Amsterdam broke a 30-year-old track record, bettering the mark by nearly a second. His time of 1:13.45 was 2-½ seconds faster than the previous stakes record time of 1:15.97 established by Most Distinguished in 2007. His victory in the Amsterdam was his third win in as many stakes starts. In addition to the Florida Derby, he captured the 1-mile Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 28, 2009 at Gulfstream Park by a commanding 4+lengths.

"He was a big horse over 16 hands, and 1,100 pounds when he arrived on Dec. 4 (2007)," said Stevens.

Fortunately, for Quality Road's connections, the bay colt was not sold at a juvenile auction. He was sent to trainer Jimmy Jerkens' barn on July 13, 2008. Quality Road had been consigned to the 2007 Keeneland September Yearling Sale but didn't meet his reserve of $110,000,and was bought back. The Virginia-bred is out of the Strawberry Road (AUS) mare Kobla.

The colt was extremely mature for his age, not only physically but mentally, said Stevens.

Quality Road now stands over 17 hands.

"He never made a mistake," said Stevens. "Even though he was big, he handled his size like a little horse; he was very athletic. He exuded class. I thought he would probably be a stakes caliber horse."

Quality Road has made five starts and has won four times, placed second once and won $722,830.

8/3/2009 - The 2008 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year and 2008 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old male, Darley's Midshipman, breezed Sunday morning at Saratoga, working a half-mile in 49 4/5 seconds.

Darley's Waccamaw collared the lead entering the stretch to break his maiden by 2-½ lengths Saturday at Arlington Park in a 5-½-furlong race on the turf. Bred by Robert and JaniceMcNair's Stonerside Stable and Christiana Stables, the 3-year-old filly by the 2000 Breeders' Cup Mile Turf winner War Chant is conditioned by Patrick Byrne. Waccamaw was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Richard Duchossois' homebred Itsagimme won a 1-mile allowance race on the turf Wednesday at Arlington Park, making a wide sweep late, and getting up at the wire to win by a neck. The 4-year-old chestnut filly is conditioned by Chris Block and was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stables.

Becky's Express wired the field in a 1 1/16-mile race Thursday at Arlington Park, winning by daylight, by a 6+ -length margin.

The 3-year-old Texas-bred gelded son of 2002 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Congaree was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones and was bred by Stonerside Stable.

Jack Steel and Jack Smith III's Thoroughbreds' Zigawatt collared the lead in the stretch to win a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf Saturday at Ellis Park by 2 lengths. The Bobby Barnett charge is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner The Cliff's Edge. The 4-year-old gelding by the 1988 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter Gulch was bred by Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Robert and Janice McNair's homebred Cowboy Cal placed third in the Grade 2 1 1/16-mile Fourstardave Handicap on the turf Sunday at Saratoga. The 4-year-old multiple graded stakes winning son of Giant's Causeway is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

7/27/2009 - The 2008 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year and the 2008 Eclipse Award-winning Two-Year-Old Male Darley's Midshipman had a 3-furlong work Saturday at Belmont Park.

Louis P. and Suzy Haslup's and Sheldon Sagoskin's High Cature won a 6½-furlong race Saturday at Charles Town Races and Slots by two lengths, with jockey Wesley Ho in the irons. The 3-year-old filly by Parker's Storm Cat is conditioned by David Walters and was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy.

"The kid rode a great race, his father Gene Ho, used to ride races for me," said Haslup. "When she turned for home, she was lights out. We were ecstatic."

Michael Furr and Linda Sours' homebred Furrfield Cat broke his maiden by two lengths last Saturday at Charles Town Races and Slots. The 3-year-old colt is conditioned by Danny Furr, who broke and trained the son of Tiger Ridge in Aiken.

Aiken Trials alumnus, Eli Gindi and Sam Kassin's Fast Tigress, placed second Saturday in the 1 1/16-mile Desert Vixen Stakes on the turf at Monmouth Park. John Kimmel trains the 3-year-old daughter of Hold That Tiger, who was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz's First Circle placed second in the 1+ mile Wonder Where Stakes on the turf Saturday at Woodbine. The 3-year-old daughter of Langfuhr is conditioned by Mike Keogh, who broke and trained the filly in Aiken.

7/18/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road had an impressive work Friday morning at Belmont Park covering five furlongs in 1:01.04 seconds, according to the Blood-Horse. The son of Elusive Quality is being pointed to the Grade Two Amsterdam Stakes Aug. 3 at Saratoga. Quality Road was knocked off the Triple Crown trail by a pair of quarter cracks and appears to be poised for his return to racing. Quality Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Mike Rutherford's Eraser won a 1-mile race on the turf by a head Friday at Lone Star Park. The 3-year-old Manchester Farm homebred filly is by Tale of the Cat and is conditioned by W. Bret Calhoun. Eraser was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Malibu Prayer placed second in the 1 1/16-mile Grade Two Delaware Oaks Saturday at Delaware Park. The 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Hermen Greenberg's multiple stakes winner Researcher placed second in the 1 1/16-mile R.R.M. Carpenter Jr. Memorial Stakes Saturday at Delaware Park. The gelding by Two Smart was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners' and Breeders' Association president Lee Christian's St. John's Gospel placed third Saturday in the 7-furlong Peppy Addy Stakes at Philadelphia Park. St. John's Gospel won the Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park on March 21.

7/16/2009 - A pair of Aiken-trained horses won stakes races Sunday afternoon. Aiken Trials alumnus Sea Chanter added to her resume - which already includes the Grade Three Miesque Stakes on the turf and the Epitome Breeders' Cup Stakes - by demonstrating her versatility in winning the 1 1/16-mile Pearl Necklace Stakes at Belmont Park. She drew off to win by 5¬½ lengths. The 4-year-old filly races in the silks of Darley Stable and is conditioned by Todd Pletcher. She was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Way With Words raced close to the pace and collared the leader, Love That Dance, in deep stretch to win the 1-mile and 70 yards Spruce Fir Handicap at Monmouth Park. The 5-year-old New Jersey-bred mare is campaigned by George Schwartz and is trained by Mary Eppler. Way With Words trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Dogwood Stable's multiple graded stakes placed Lime Rickey will break from the 10 hole in the $750,000 Grade Two Virginia Derby on the turf at Colonial Downs.

"If it would just open up in favor of him a little bit and if there's a little pace," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president, about Lime Rickey's chances Saturday. "He didn't get a great post position, the same one he had last time. We bemoan the fact that last time he sat behind a slow pace and was turning for home 11 lengths out of it with the leading turf rider on America on him. It left him with too much to do."

Darley's Chilukki's Song broke her maiden Monday in a 6-furlong race at Delaware Park in impressive fashion, winning by 6 + lengths. The daughter of the 1999 Eclipse Award winning 2-Year-Old Filly Chilukki is trained by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Nekia Farm's Saluda Sam continued his winning ways, winning a 1-mile race on the turf Sunday at Ellis Park by a half-length. Saluda Sam is trained by and was broken and trained in Aiken by Steve Epley Jr.

John Adger and Oakcrest Farm's Upperline won a 7-furlong race Wednesday at Arlington Park. The juvenile daughter of the 1995 2-Year-Old Male Eclipse Award winner Maria's Mon is trained by Mike Stidham, and was broken and trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Union Waters wired the field, breaking her maiden by 4-lengths in a 5-½ furlong race Wednesday at Belmont Park. The juvenile daughter of multiple Grade One winner Dixie Union is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Sam Kassin and Eli Gindi's Slam The Cat and Spring Hill Farm's Union City ran second and third in the 6-½ furlong Jersey Girl Stakes Wednesday at Belmont Park. Both fillies were broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

7/13/2009 - Cary and Tim Frommer, in their return to Aiken, have proven that there's no place like home.

The Thoroughbred trainers look to continue their success this fall at the Aiken Training Track as they prepare a new group of yearlings who are sure to leave their mark at the race track.

Cary has enjoyed success in the world of Thoroughbred racing as a 2-year-old consignor and added to her already impressive resume at the Fasig-Tipton May Midlantic 2-year-olds in Training Sale at Timonium. She sold the sale topper, a colt by Grade One winner Tapit, out of the Private Account broodmare Shopping as part of the Hobeau Farm dispersal. The chestnut son of Tapit was purchased by Steven Young, agent, for $850,000, establishing a record price for the sale by $225,000, and now has the distinction of being the most expensive horse sold at auction in Maryland.

Tashop, a half-brother to Grade One winning millionaire Miss Shop, has been renamed Trappeshot, said Frommer. The colt is close to making his first start.

"They're very high on him, and he's going to run in Saratoga," said Cary.

Tashop turned heads with a fast 10 1/5-second work for an eighth of a mile during the breeze show prior to the sale.

"I knew we were good for $500,000 or $600,000, but when it went above that it was kind of surreal," she said. "I was very aware that I had the sale topper - I knew that, everybody knew that - but with the economy, we didn't know what that meant. It just kept on going up."

The leading consignor by average and gross sales, Frommer also sold the second highest priced horse at the sale, a dark bay colt with a very famous half-brother who was purchased by a very familiar and prominent name.

The son of Yonaguska, a half-brother to the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner presented by Yum Brands! Mine That Bird, was purchased by Dogwood Stable for $485,000 and will race in partnership with Paul Saylor, who consigned the colt with Frommer to the sale.

"He (Saylor) has bought a lot of horses from me; every sale it seems like he tries to buy one from me, and he's done very well with the horses he's bought," said Frommer. "At the OBS March Sale, the Yonaguska colt didn't stand out to anybody. I kept telling everyone he was a half-brother to Mine that Bird, but he didn't mean anything at the time. I called Paul and told him I was in trouble with a really nice horse and asked if he was interested, and he said yes. When he went into the ring, Paul paid $100,000 for him. I had paid $72,000 (at the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale), and that kind of stung a little bit, and it stung even more when the Kentucky Derby came along."

A late addition to the sale, Brother Bird, drew the attention of Dogwood Stable's Cot Campbell who was very interested in purchasing the colt, said Frommer.

"He asked about him and had people coming by to see him, and they really did their homework checking on him," said Frommer. "I used to work for Cot, so it was extra special."

7/13/2009 - Darley's Olly Tait has been elected to the Breeders' Cup board of directors and was unanimously approved as the audit and finance committee chair.

Mary Lee-Butte, the executive director of the Blue Grass Farm Chaplaincy, was selected as the 2009 Dogwood Dominion Award winner.

Camelia Casby's Law Enforcement added to his already impressive resume with a 2 ½-length victory Wednesday in the 7-furlong Promonroe Stakes at Belmont Park. The 4-year-old New York-bred colt by multiple graded stakes winner Posse is conditioned by Mark Hennig and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Carl Lizza's Flying Zee Stable's Hangingbyathread closed late to win the 1-1/8-mile Do It Fast Stakes on the Inner turf Wednesday at Belmont Park. The 5-year-old chestnut gelding won by 1-3/4 lengths. The son of Giant's Causeway trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Fairwinds Farm's stakes placed Indian Ink demolished the field in a 1-mile, 70-yard allowance race, winning by 14 lengths Saturday at River Downs. The 4-year-old daughter of Gold Market is conditioned by Mike Rone and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Dogwood Stable's Silver Shoes danced to a three-quarter length victory at Belmont Park Wednesday as the juvenile filly broke her maiden in a 5-furlong affair. The daughter of Grade One winner Sky Mesa is conditioned by Frank Alexander and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Hermen Greenberg's Rutledge Star broke his maiden Friday by three lengths in a 4-½-furlong race at Charles Town Races and Slots. The juvenile gelded son of Grade Two winner Oratory is conditioned by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Clinton Wolfe's Dancin' Dixie Cat won a 7-½-furlong race on the turf Saturday at Delaware Park by a half length. The gray 4-year-old colt by Hold That Tiger paid $37.20 to win. The Tim Seeger charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Darley's Grade Two winner Tizaqueena placed second Saturday in the Grade Three Modesty Handicap at Arlington Park. The 4-year-old daughter of Hall of Fame electee Tiznow is trained by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Spring Hill Farm's Pleasant Strike closed strong late and placed second in the 1-mile Battlefield Stakes on the turf Saturday at Monmouth Park.

The 5-year-old dark bay stakes winning horse is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

7/9/2009 - Al Darlington was recently featured in the July 2009 edition of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred. The retired trainer was the host of the radio show "Down the Stretch" and was co-host of "Post Time" with Cecil "The Voice of Racing" Atchley, a radio show devoted to Thoroughbred racing that aired for four years in Aiken during the 1990s.

Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens broke and trained the first two finishers, Cat Moves and Light Green, of Saturday's Grade One Prioress Stakes at Belmont Park.

"She (Cat Moves) was a filly who improved steadily the whole time she was here," said Stevens. "She was a nice solid filly. Light Green was more racy, more precocious and had a lot of speed. She dug in and never quit and gave her stable mate all she wanted. They're both very good fillies."

Stakes winner P.Kerney, who was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens, was recently featured in the Blood-Horse. The gelded son of Pleasant Tap established a track record at Charles Town Races and Slots for 7 furlongs on July 8, 2006.

Kasey K Racing Stable's Rap Tale won the 1-mile Brookmeade Stakes by a head Saturday on the Inner turf at Colonial Downs. The 4-year-old filly by Tale of the Cat is conditioned by Bruce Brown, and was broken and trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's homebred Colonial Kid's devastating late kick in a 1-mile race Saturday on the Inner turf at Colonial Downs, saw the dark bay gelding by Lemon Drop Kid score a 3+ length victory. The Hamilton Smith charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Gustav Schickedanz's Woodsmoke, who won the Alywow Stakes last time out, placed second Sunday in the 6-½-furlong Ontario Damsel Stakes on the turf. The daughter of Langfuhr is conditioned by Mike Keogh, who broke and trained the filly in Aiken.

Bob Zahl's Linda's Lace placed second Monday in the 1 1/16-miles Florence Henderson Stakes on the turf at Indiana Downs. The daughter of Is Sveskatis increased her lifetime bankroll to $212,837.

Multiple graded stakes winner I Lost My Choo placed second in the 1 1/16-miles Dr. James Penny Memorial Handicap on the turf Monday at Philadelphia Park. The Phil Serpe charge trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Mike Rutherford and Terry Green's High Quail placed second in a 1 1/16-miles allowance race Sunday at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old bay filly by Tiznow is trained by Wally Dollase and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Smarty Marty placed second in a 4-½-furlong race Sunday at Charles Town Races and Slots. The Christopher Grove charge was broken and trained by Ron Stevens.

7/4/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's entry of Cat Moves and Light Green accounted for the exacta as they placed first and second in the 6-furlong Grade One Prioress Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Cat Moves, conditioned by Anthony Dutrow, took command in the stretch, drawing off to win by three-quarters of a length over the Todd Pletcher-trained Light Green. Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens broke and trained both Cat Moves and Light Green in Aiken.

Cambus-Kenneth Farm's Wilderness Trace closed furiously, collaring the lead in deep stretch from Opera Heroine to win a 1-mile, 70-yard allowance race on the turf at Delaware Park by a half length on Monday. The 5-year-old dark bay mare is conditioned by John Fisher and trained at Iris and W.C. Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Maggi Moss' Becky's Express, an Aiken Trials alumnus, coasted to a six-length victory in a one-mile allowance race on June 24 at Indiana Downs. Tom Amoss conditions the 3-year-old son of Congaree, the 2002 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, who was bred by Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones. The accredited Texas-bred gelding increased his bankroll to $62,735 and has won four races and placed second once in nine career starts.

Steve Epley Jr. and Nekia Farm's Saluda Sam, who finished fourth in the 2009 Aiken Spring Steeplechase training flat race, nailed McBurns at the wire to break his maiden on the turf in a one-mile flat race Monday at Indiana Downs by a neck. The 4-year-old South Carolina-bred gelding is by Adcat, conditioned by Epley Jr., and broken and trained in Aiken by the trainer.

James Hackman's Breezy Cafe raced close to the pace throughout, bumped a rival and took command in the stretch, drawing off to break her maiden by one length in a 5-furlong race Thursday at Monmouth Park. The 2-year-old daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Formal Dinner is conditioned by Glenn Thompson, who broke and trained the filly in Aiken.

Another Stonerside-bred runner, Texas Wildcatter, placed second in the Lieutenant Governors' Handicap Wednesday at Hastings Race Course. The 4-year-old gray colt by Monarchos was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones. Texas Wildcatter placed in four stakes during his sophomore campaign including the Whirlaway Stakes, the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes, Grade 3 Canadian Derby and Grade 3 British Columbia Derby.

Dogwood Stable's Blackberry Road placed second Thursday in a one-mile allowance race at Churchill Downs. The half-brother to the 2002 Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old colt Vindication and graded stakes winner Scipion is trained by Dallas Stewart and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens. Blackberry Road increased his bankroll to $225,540.

George Schwartz's Way With Words placed second Wednesday in a 5-furlong allowance race at Monmouth Park. The 5-year-old New Jersey-bred mare trained at Chime Bell Farm.

Bob Zahl's Storm N Rosie Lace placed second Monday in a 5-½-furlong maiden race at Indiana Downs.

6/30/2009 - Darley USA's chief operating officer Olly Tait was named as one of the Thoroughbred Times' Ten to Watch as someone in the industry who is certain to make a significant impact.

Spring Hill Farm bred five horses who were recognized as Virginia-bred champions including Casanova Move, a 2-year-old filly champion; Ghost Dancing, a sprinter; and Dance Hall Days, a 3-year-old filly champion; all three were broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens. The others were Charitable Man (a 2-year-old male) and Warning Zone (a turf horse).

Fairwinds Farm's stakes placed Indian Ink won a 7½-furlong allowance race on the turf by a half-length last Tuesday at River Downs. The dark bay filly by Gold Market is conditioned by Mike Rone. The 4-year-old Ohio-bred was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

"I couldn't be happier for Kim and Lori Williams. They are fantastic people who love their horses and love horse racing. We always knew this filly had talent, but she seems to have really matured over the winter in Aiken and has been consistently good with trainer Mike Rone," said Tucker in an e-mail.

Bob Zahl's Linda's Lace won a one-mile allowance race on the turf last Monday at Indiana Downs. The 6-year-old mare by Marshall Lamb's stallion Is Sveikatas caught the leaders in deep stretch before drawing off to win by 1½ lengths. The dark bay half-sister to stakes placed Roy's Boy's has seven wins, 11 second-place finishes and three third-place finishes, en route to bankrolling $198,989.

Darley Stable's Abby's Angel raced close to the pace with tactical speed and took command entering the stretch to win a 7-furlong allowance race Thursday at Arlington Park by one length. The 4-year-old filly by the 1997 Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold is trained by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Sam Kassin and Eli Gindi's Slam the Cat wired the field in a 6-furlong race Sunday at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old filly by Grand Slam drew off to win by 2+ lengths. The John Kimmel charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Nicholas Harris and Donald Ross' Harrier broke his maiden in a 7-furlong race on the turf last Wednesday at Woodbine. The 3-year-old gelding is conditioned by Mike Keogh and paid $29.20 to win.

Richard Duchossois' First of February raced close to the pace before collaring the leader late to break her maiden in a one-mile race on the turf Thursday at Arlington Park. The 3-year-old chestnut filly is trained by Chris Block and was broken in Aiken by Brookridge Stables.

Spring Hill Farm's Malibu Prayer placed second in the 1-1/8-mile Grade One Mother Goose Stakes Saturday at Belmont Park. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Spritely placed second Sunday in the 7-furlong Grade Two First Flight Handicap at Belmont Park. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Darley's Kiawah Cat placed second in the 1-1/16-mile Grade Three Boiling Springs Handicap on the turf Saturday at Monmouth Park. The bay filly's dam Thunder Kitten placed third in the same race. The 3-year-old filly is trained by Bill Mott and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

6/21/2009 - Darley's Chief Operating Officer Olly Tait was elected to the Breeders' Cup board of members and trustees.

Dogwood Stable president Cot Campbell is featured in the June 20th edition of the Blood-Horse's Final Turn, "More Hero, Less Goat."

Aiken Trials Alumnus, Landson Robbins III's Legal Consent added another stakes victory to his impressive portfolio, winning the 7-furlong Mike Lee Stakes Sunday at Belmont Park by a half-length. The 3-year-old son of Grade One winner Officer is conditioned by Carlos Martin and was broken and trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Susan Wenner and Ocean Blue Stable's I'm Entitled, a 4-year-old New York-bred gelding by A.P. Jet, won a 5-½-furlong allowance race over a turf course listed as good on June 12 at Monmouth Park. The bay altered male is conditioned by Bruce Levine and was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup. I'm Entitled increased his bankroll to $74,763.

Another Aiken Trials alumnus, French Kitty, won a 7-furlong allowance by daylight, drawing off to win by 8 lengths at Charles Town Races and Slots on June 18. The Rutledge Farm homebred is conditioned by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Gainesway Farm's Ocean Colors, who also ran in the Aiken Trials, won a 5-furlong allowance race on Thursday by 2-½ lengths on the turf at Churchill Downs. The second-to-last foal of the 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors, Ocean Colors is conditioned by the 2008 Eclipse Award winning Trainer Steve Asmussen and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Lynn Carlisle and Darlene Anderson's Hark easily disposed of the competition, winning a 7¬½-furlong allowance race on the turf last Monday at Indiana Downs by 5 lengths. The 5-year-old bay mare is conditioned by John Ward and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

John Adger's Camille's Appeal broke her maiden in a 4-½-furlong race Sunday by 7 lengths at Delaware Park. The juvenile filly is out of the stakes winning mare Belle Visage, is a full-sister to stakes placed colt Spark Plug and is trained by Mike Stidham. Camille's Appeal was bred by Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Camelia Casby's Law Enforcement placed second in the 6-furlong High Ice Stakes Wednesday at Belmont Park. The Mark Hennig charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Lime Rickey placed third Saturday in the 1 3/16-mile Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs. The son of Lemon Drop Kid is trained by Frank Alexander and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Darley's Skylighter, winner of the 2008 Grade Two Indiana Oaks, placed third in the Grade Three Obeah Stakes Saturday at Delaware Park. The 4-year-old daughter of Sky Mesa was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

6/20/2009 - A pair of locally trained horses will be running in stakes races this weekend.

Dogwood Stable's Lime Rickey drew the extreme outside post, the 10 hole, for today's 1 3/16-mile Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs.

Carl Lizza's Flying Zee Stable's multiple graded stakes winner I Lost My Choo has been cross entered in the Grade 3 All Along Stakes at Colonial Downs, where she drew post position 4, and the Grade 2 New York Stakes at Belmont Park, where the daughter of Western Expression drew post position 8.

I Lost My Choo likes the firm going, and, with all of the rain in New York the past few days, the inner turf course may be soft or yielding.

Lime Rickey, a son of Classic and Eclipse Award winner Lemon Drop Kid, won his last time out, scoring a victory in a 1-mile allowance race on the turf at Belmont Park on May 14. The bay colt placed second in three consecutive stakes races to start off his sophomore campaign, with runner-up performances in the Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach and Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes, all at Gulfstream Park. Julien Leparoux will be in the irons. Lime Rickey has earned $163,707.

I Lost My Choo, who trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm, won the Grade 3 Virginia Oaks last July 19. I Lost My Choo has been installed as the morning line favorite at 5-2 for the All Along Stakes.

A winner of the Grade 3 Honey Fox Handicap at Gulfstream Park and the Mount Vernon Stakes at Belmont Park as a 4-year-old, the Phil Serpe charge will be piloted by jockey Jose Lezcano. I Lost My Choo has bankrolled $402,740.

6/15/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's Pleasant Strike exacted revenge on Frisky Thunder to win the 2009 edition of the 1 1/16-mile Daniel Van Clief Stakes on the turf Saturday at Colonial Downs. The result reversed the order of the race's 2008 finish. Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher conditions the 5-year-old son of Smart Strike, who was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Maggi Moss' Free Brave drew off in mid-stretch to win a 5-furlong race on the turf Saturday at Churchill Downs. The Tom Amoss charge is a half-brother to stakes winner Speedway and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Aiken Trials alumnus Itwillbelovely broke her maiden Sunday at Sunray Park in a 6-½-furlong race. Owned by Mike Abraham, the Jose Gonzalez Jr. charge collared the leader in the mid-stretch to win by 1+ lengths. The 3-year-old chestnut daughter of Pulpit was broken by Ron Stevens.

David Ross' Oh Yes I Pray broke her maiden by 4+ lengths on Friday at Colonial Downs in a 1-mile race on the turf. The 3-year-old daughter of Johar is trained by Michael Pino and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Admiral Bird placed second in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on the turf Thursday at Belmont Park.

Gustav Schickedanz's and D. Howard's Mobil Unit placed second in a 4-½-furlong race Sunday at Woodbine. Mike Keogh conditions the son of Mobil.

Daniel Geitner's Parker's Dream placed second in a 6-½-furlong race Wednesday at Charles Town Races and Slots.

Scooter Rat, who placed second in the 2008 The Coward Trophy at the Aiken Trials, ran second in a 5-½-furlong race Friday at Finger Lakes.

Graded stakes winner and Aiken Trials Alumnus Darley's Sea Chanter placed third in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap Saturday at Belmont Park. The 4-year-old filly was broken and trained by Tim Jones.

Fox Ridge Farm's Yield Bogey placed third in the 1-mile Grade 3 Poker Stakes Sunday at Belmont Park. The Pat Kelly charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

6/11/2009 - Gustav Schickendanz's Woodsmoke set the early fractions and held on to win the 6 1/2-furlong Alywow Stakes by a nose Sunday at Woodbine on the turf. The 3-year-old daughter of Sovereign Award-winning sprinter Langfuhr is conditioned, and was broken and trained, in Aiken by Mike Keogh.

"She's being pointed toward the Ontario Damsel Stakes at 6 ¬½-furlongs on the turf," said Keogh. "It's a race for Ontario-breds."

James Pickering and Jerry Passmore's Gold Ember won a 6-furlong race by a length Saturday at Louisiana Downs. The Stonerside-bred son of Mutakddim won by a length. The chestnut gelding was trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

James Hackman's Gretna Girl made a bold move entering the stretch and drew off to win convincingly by 7 3/4-lenghts in a 6-furlong race Sunday at Monmouth Park. The 3-year-old homebred filly is conditioned, and was broken and trained, in Aiken by Glenn Thompson.

Spring Hill Farm's Nite Light was game in the deep stretch, surrendering the lead nearing the wire to the eventual winner, Eldaafer, to place second by a nose in the 1 1/2-miles Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap Friday at Belmont Park. Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher conditions Nite Light, who was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Kasey K Racing Stable's Rap Tale placed second in the 5¬½-furlong Candy Ãâclair Stakes Saturday at Monmouth Park. The Bruce Brown charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Casanova Move placed third in the 1-mile Grade One Acorn Stakes Saturday at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old filly is conditioned by James Jerkens and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Darley Stable's Tizaqueena placed third in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old filly is conditioned by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Red Rabbit Racing's multiple stakes winner General Charley placed third via disqualification in the 1 1/8-miles Tin Man Stakes on the turf Saturday at Arlington Park. The 7-year-old chestnut gelding is a half-brother to stakes placed Holy Mission and is trained by Chris Block. The horse was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Darley Stables Tizaqueena

6/4/2009 - Dogwood Stable's Lime Rickey kicks off an active stakes weekend today for horses who've trained in Aiken.

The son of the 2000 Eclipse Award winning older male Lemon Drop Kid, will break from the five hole in the one-mile, grade three Hill Prince Stakes on the turf at Belmont Park. Lime Rickey won his last start, a one-mile allowance race on the turf at Belmont Park by 1 1/4-lengths. He placed second in three consecutive stakes races this winter at Gulfstream Park, including the grade three Palm Beach Stakes, the Hallandale Beach Stakes and the Dania Beach Stakes, all on the turf.

Bruce Lunsford and Lansdon Robbins III's grade three winner, Drilling for Oil, has been retired from racing and will begin his career as a stallion in Peru standing at a farm owned by Hiad Hamide, who purchased the stallion, according to the Thoroughbred Times. Drilling for Oil was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Robert and Janice McNair's multiple graded stakes winner Cowboy Cal returns in the 1¼-mile grade one Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap on the turf tomorrow on the Belmont Stakes undercard. He'll break from post position No. 13. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Flying Zee Stable's I lost My Choo, a winner of the grade three Honey Fox Stakes on the turf and the Mount Vernon Stakes also on the turf in 2009, returns in the one-mile Just a Game Stakes on the turf tomorrow on the Belmont Undercard. The daughter of Western Expression is conditioned by Phil Serpe and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

"I lost My Choo is looking fine," said Serpe, in a phone interview Thursday morning. "It depends on the weather. If the turf is anything less than firm, we won't run."

Henry DiRico's Disco's Son will contest the 6-furlong Longfellow Stakes at Monmouth Park, drawing post No. 6 in a field of nine horses that includes the 2008 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter Benny the Bull. The 6-year-old gelding will have Joe Bravo in the irons. Phil Serpe trains the son of Disco Rico, who trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

"He's doing good," said Serpe. "He always looked like he had ability."

Spring Hill Farm's Casanova Move, who placed second in both the grade two Davona Dale and grade two Bonnie Miss Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and was third two weeks ago in the grade two Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico, will break from the rail in the grade one, one-mile Acorn Stakes tomorrow at Belmont Park. James Jerkens conditions the dark bay daughter of Langfuhr, who was broken in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Darley's Tizaqueena, who won the grade two Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes, returns tomorrow in the 1 1/16 grade three Early Times Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs. The daughter of recent Hall of Fame electee Tiznow is trained by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Rap Tale drew the one hole in the 5 ½-furlong Candy Eclair Stakes tomorrow at Monmouth Park. Channing Hill will ride the Virginia-bred filly who was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

6/4/2009 - Sprng Hill Farm's Malibu Prayer left the competition in her wake, drawing off to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance race Tuesday at Philadelphia Park by 7 1/4- lenghts. The 3-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon is trained by four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher. She was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Bruce and Rita Snipes' Nekia Farm's Super Nekia lived up to his billing by winning a 5-furlong allowance race last Tuesday by a half-length at Indiana Downs. The 5-year-old chestnut gelding is by multiple graded stakes winner Distorted Humor.Steve Epley Jr. conditions Super Nekia, who was broken and trained in Aiken.

Spring Hill Farm's Cat Moves demonstrated her feline-like quickness, taking command entering the stretch to win a 6-furlong allowance race at Delaware Park by 4 3/4-lengths. The 3-year-old daughter of Grade Two winner Tale of the Cat, is trained by Anthony Dutrow and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Eli Gindi and Sam Kassin's Slam the Cat slammed the competition, drawing off to win a 6-furlong starter allowance race last Thursday at Belmont Park by three lengths. The 3-year-old daughter of Grand Slam is trained by John Kimmel and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Forest Tango broke his maiden handily, winning a 6 ½-furlong race by four lengths Saturday at Charles Town Races and Slots. The 3-year-old son of Forestry is conditioned by Christopher Grove and was trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Rutledge Farm's Rutledge Lion broke his maiden Sunday in a 4 1/2-furlong allowance race by 1 ½ lengths at Charles Town Races and Slots. The Jeff Runco charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Robert Zahl's Linda Lace placed second Monday in a 7 ½-furlong allowance race on the turf at Indiana Downs.

Hesa Stable's Bad Boy Rising placed second in a 6-furlong race Monday at Finger Lakes. Bad Boy Rising was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

5/30/2009 - There may be plenty of fireworks this summer at Saratoga as Dogwood Stable will have a talented nucleus of juvenile runners competing at the upstate New York racetrack.

Among the horses that bear watching will be Bricklayer, the son of El Corredor, who won The Von Stade Trophy at the 2009 Aiken Trials and was victorious his first time out at Aqueduct in April. He'll make his next start in stakes company, going in the 5-furlong Victoria Stakes at Woodbine on June 14. The Frank Alexander charge will have Chantal Sutherland in the irons, said Dogwood Stable president Cot Campbell.

"We know Bricklayer can run," said Campbell.

Aikenite, the son of Yes It's True, will also be making his first start this summer, and he will be conditioned by Todd Pletcher.

"He had a brilliant work the other day; it wasn't a long work, but I caught him going a quarter (mile) in 23 4/5 seconds just galloping," said Campbell. "It was startling. I think he certainly will be ready for Saratoga."

Dogwood Stable recently purchased Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird's half-brother, a colt by Yonaguska out of the Smart Strike broodmare Mining My Own, for $485,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic 2-year-olds in training sale.

"Brother Bird is exciting," said Campbell. "Dallas (Stewart) has Steady Eddie, who is due to run the 11th (June); he's looking good, and that will be at Churchill Downs. Frank's (Alexander) got a filly, Silver Shoes. I don't want to get too steamed up, but I think we have some 2-year-olds who could run a bit. We have another filly named Lyrical Note, who I think is absolutely outstanding. We're anxious to do well at Saratoga."

It was at the Saratoga meet 20 years ago in 1989 that Dogwood's Classic winner Summer Squall (winner of the 1990 Preakness) won the Grade One Hopeful Stakes and Grade Two Sanford Stakes, en route to an undefeated season, winning five races, four stakes including the Bashford Manor Stakes and the Kentucky Budweiser Breeders' Cup Stakes.

5/27/2009 - Marc Keller's Bribon (FR) picked up consecutive graded stakes scores, winning the 1-mile Grade One Shadwell Metropolitan Handicap Monday at Belmont Park by a half-length. The son of Mark of Esteem (IRE) captured the Grade Three Westchester Stakes on April 29 at Belmont Park. The Robert Ribaudo charge trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm. Bribon increased his lifetime earnings to $735,607. "He was only here for a year but trained well, and he's gone on to do well," said Jill Thomas, Chime Bell Farm layup manager.

Aiken-born jockey Marion "Jamie" Cornwell, began chemotherapy and radiation treatments for a malignant tumor that had been found on his pancreas and spread throughout his body on May 19th at the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital in Charleston, according to the Thoroughbred Times. The 33-year-old rider had been based in Maryland and honed his skills at the Elloree Training Center.

Jockey John Luzzi won his 1,000th race Sunday at Charles Town Races and Slots. He is the grandson of legendary trainer Virgil "Buddy" Raines.

Dogwood Stable has named Mine That Bird's half-brother Brother Bird.

Spring Hill Farm's American Dance won a 1 1/8-mile allowance race last Thursday at Belmont Park. The gray son of A.P. Indy is trained by Todd Pletcher and won going away by 6 1/4-lengths, paying $18.20 to win. The 3-year-old colt was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Another Spring Hill charge destroyed the field last Friday in a 5½-furlong race at Philadelphia Park as Union City accelerated into another gear to win by 8-lengths. The 3-year-old dark bay filly is trained by Anthony Dutrow and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Carl Lizza's Flying Zee Stable's Hangingbyathread took command of a 1 1/16 starter allowance race on the turf last Friday at Belmont Park to win by 3½-lengths. The gelded son of Giant's Causeway is conditioned by Carlos Martin and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Darley's Kiawah Cat took command entering the stretch and drew off to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance race Sunday at Monmouth Park by 2½-lengths. The 3-year-old filly by Lemon Drop Kid was bred by Stonerside, is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Fox Ridge Farm's Yield Bogey was hardly par for the course, turning in a determined performance to win by a neck in a 7-furlong race on the turf Saturday at Belmont Park. The 5-year old son of Langfuhr paid $24 to win. The Pat Kelly charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Gustav Schickedanz homebred Tapenade broke her maiden last Wednesday at Woodbine, taking command of the race in deep stretch aand drawing off to win by 1 ½ lengths. The 4-year-old daughter of Smart Strike is conditioned and was broken and trained in Aiken by Mike Keogh.

Giant Mover made a giant move early and didn't relinquish the lead in breaking her maiden in a 1 1/8 mile race on the turf, winning by a determined nose Sunday at Belmont Park, paying 22.20 to win. The 3-year-old daughter of Giant's Causeway is trained by James Jerkens and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Coal Baron won a 7-furlong race last Thursday at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old son of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft took the lead in mid-stretch and drew off to win by 2 3/4-lengths. Coal Baron is conditioned by Elwood McCann Sr.

Richard Duchossois' Itsagimme used a late rally to break her maiden in a 1 1/16-miles allowance race on the turf Monday at Arlington Park by 3 1/4-lengths. The 4-year-old filly by Hennessy is conditioned by Chris Block and was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stables.

Furrlong Stable's Draft won a 1-mile race last Thursday at Preque Isle Downs by 3 ½-lengths. The 6-year-old gelding by Editor's Note paid $33.40 to win.

Louis P. and Suzy Haslup's and Sheldon Sagoskin's High Cature broke her maiden after an 11-month layoff Monday at Charles Town Races and Slots in a 4 1/2 -furlong race by a half-length. The 3-year-old filly is conditioned by David Walters.

Edward Evans' Nite Light placed second in the 1 1/16 mile Frisk Me Now Stakes Sunday at Monmouth Park. Nite Light was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Fairwinds Farm's Indian Ink placed third in the Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes Saturday at Thistledown. Indian Ink was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Jeffrey Tucker and Very Un Stable's Hint placed second in a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf Monday at Belmont Park. The John Morrison charge trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Adirondack Rose Thoroughbred's Elder Skatesman placed third in a 1 1/16-miles allowance race Monday on the turf at Belmont Park. Elder Skatesman is trained by Bill Allyn.

Gustav Schickedanz

5/20/2009 - Gustav Schickedanz who has enjoyed success as a breeder and owner, has been elected to The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The 80-year-old Schickedanz is the owner of Long Leaf Plantation, and is an outstanding horseman in his own right, fox hunting with the Whiskey Road and Belle Meade Hounds.

The induction ceremony will be held Aug. 27 at the Missassauga Convention Centre, according to The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Schickedanz has a farm in Schomberg, Ont., Canada, where he keeps his broodmare band. He owned, raced and bred the 1996 Sovereign Award winning Sprinter and multiple Grade One winner Langfuhr (the sire of the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando and multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Mobil), who has become one of North America's leading sires. He also owned, raced and bred 1997 Sovereign Award winning Sprinter Glanmire, 1999 Queens Plate winner Woodcarver and 2008 Breeders' Stakes winner Marlang. Wando and Mobil ran first and second in the 2003 Queen's Plate Stakes.

Mike Keogh who conditions Schickedanz's horses and breaks and trains them in Aiken, began training for Schickedanz in 1993.

"He's been a great guy to train for and has been great for the business," said Keogh, in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. "He's a great horseman himself who loves the horse business. His horses are all homebreds. He takes care of the horses after they retire. There aren't too many around like him."

5/20/2009 - Darley's Skylighter captured the 1 1/16 miles Grade Two Allaire duPont Stakes Saturday at Pimlico. The Bobby Frankel charge won the race by a commanding 4 1/4 lengths. The bay filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Flying Zee Stable's I lost My Choo was sent off as the favorite and, after a slow start, made an explosive move entering the stretch to win the 1 1/16-mile Mount Vernon Stakes Sunday at Belmont Park by 1 3/4 lengths. Phil Serpe trains the daughter of Western Expression. She also trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Spring Hill Farm's Light Green left no doubt in winning the 6-furlong Fall Aspen Stakes Friday at Belmont Park in convincing fashion by an 8-length margin. The 3-year-old Virginia-bred filly is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's graded stakes placed Lime Rickey won a 1 1/4 allowance race Thursday at Belmont Park by 1 1/4 lengths. The son of Lemon Drop Kid drew off handily under the guidance of jockey Javier Castellano. The 3-year-old colt is conditioned by Frank Alexander and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Rutledge Farm's stakes winner Colonel Rutledge placed second in the 1 1/16-mile Marine Stakes Saturday at Woodbine. The Graham Motion charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Casanova Move was third in the 1 1/8-mile Grade Two Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Friday at Pimlico. The 3-year-old filly by Langfuhr was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Aiken Trials alumnus and graded stakes winner Darley's Sea Chanter placed third in the 1-mile Grade Two Shuvee Handicap Saturday at Belmont Park.

The 4-year-old daughter of Grade One winner War Chant is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable's Prince Rahy was 3rd in the 7-furlong Lure Stakes Sunday at Belmont Park. The 7-year-old gelding is conditioned by Frank Alexander, and was trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Mine That Bird's half-brother, hip #107 ©Lydia Williams Photo

5/19/2009 - The newest member of Dogwood Stable has a very famous sibling.

Dogwood Stable president Cot Campbell purchased the half-brother of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird Monday afternoon from the consignment of Cary Frommer, who was acting as agent for Paul Saylor, from the Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic 2-year-olds in Training Sale for $485,000. "I'm just tickled to death," said Campbell on Monday.

After seeing Mine That Bird's brilliant performance in the Kentucky Derby and his second-place performance in the Preakness, Campbell said he was terribly excited about the bay gelding.

"The $485,000 is usually more than we pay for a horse. We'll ship him straight to Saratoga to Todd Pletcher," he said.

The unnamed dark bay colt is by Grade One winner Yonaguska, out of the Smart Strike broodmare Mining My Own.

"We had this colt vetted extensively," said Campbell. "He has residual value (as a stallion prospect) as the half-brother to the Kentucky Derby winner. I knew the connections who had him from the very beginning and knew his background. He's a horse you can send to the races with confidence. He has the pedigree, the looks; he's a beautiful moving horse. If you placed a glass of water on his rump, he wouldn't spill a drop. I'm jazzed up."

5/13/2009 - Aiken horses enjoyed stakes victories on consecutive days at Belmont Park this past week as Dogwood Stable's Atoned won the 1 1/2-mile Nasty and Bold Stakes at Belmont Park on Thursday and Lansdon Robbins III's Legal Consent won the 6 ½-furlong Professor Stakes at Belmont Park last Wednesday.

Atoned raced near the pace early, and took command at the quarter pole, turning back the challenge of Eldaafer, and then holding off Alcomo (BRZ) in the stretch to win by a neck. The Florida-bred son of multiple graded stakes winning millionaire Repent is trained by Todd Pletcher, and was conditioned in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. The dark bay ridgling increased his bankroll to $494,107.

Legal Consent made his challenge to the early pacesetter Montecore coming into the turn, collaring the leader in deep stretch to win the Professor Stakes by 1 ½ lengths under urging from jockey Ramon Dominguez. The 3-year-old New York-bred son of Officer is conditioned by Carlos Martin, and was broken and trained by Stevens.

Fairwinds Farm's Indian Ink raced near the pace early, and commandeered the lead at the half-mile pole to draw off to an easy 5 1/4-length win in a 1-mile allowance race Sunday at River Downs. The dark bay filly by Gold Market was saddled to victory by Mike Rone, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Clinton Wolfe's Song Sung Sweet was singing a happy tune after breaking her maiden in a 5 ½-furlong race April 30 at Penn National. The 3-year-old daughter of Duckhorn had jockey Emilio Flores in the irons, and is trained by Timothy Seeger. Song Sung Sweet was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Mike Rutherford and Terry Green's High Quail stalked the early leaders, and then took command entering the stretch, drawing off to win by 2 1/4 lengths in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight race last Wednesday at Churchill Downs. The Wally Dollase charge is a 3-year-old filly by Hall of Fame electee Tiznow, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Manchester Farm's homebred Eraser won a 1 1/16-mile race May 3 at Lone Star Park. The dark bay 3-year-old filly by Tale of the Cat was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Gustav Schickendanz, who along with the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando were nominated for the Canadian Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, owns and bred First Circle, who broke her maiden Friday in a 7-furlong race at Woodbine. The Mike Keogh (who trained Wando) charge outlasted Christie Village in a stretch duel to win by 3/4 of a length. The daughter of Langfuhr was broken and trained in Aiken by Keogh.

Dogwood Stable's Smarty Marty broke her maiden by 1 ½ lengths in a 5-furlong race Sunday at Pimlico. The daughter of dual Classic winner Smarty Jones is conditioned by Christopher Grove and was trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Sam Kassin and Eli Gindi's Slam the Cat slammed the door on the competition wiring the field as the daughter of Grand Slam broke her maiden last Wednesday at Belmont Park by 13 3/4 lengths in a 6-furlong race. The 3-year-old daughter of Grand Slam is conditioned by John Kimmel and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

5/05/2009 - Darley's Tizaqueena made it back-to-back stakes wins, capturing the Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The dark bay daughter of recently elected Hall of Famer Tiznow won the Fortin Handicap in her last start and raced close to the pace-setter Rasierra before taking command at the quarter pole, drawing off to win by three-quarters of a length.

Tizaqueena was bred by Stonerside, is conditioned by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones. She increased her bankroll to $275,415.

Marc Keller's Bribon (FR) scored his first graded stakes victory Wednesday at Belmont Park in the one-mile Grade 3 Westchester Stakes.

The chestnut gelding is conditioned by Robert Ribaudo and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm. Bribon (FR) upped his lifetime earnings to $375,607.

Gustav Schickedanz's homebred Woodsmoke set the early fractions and cruised home to a 2 + length victory Sunday in the 7-furlong Fury Stakes at Woodbine. The 3-year-old daughter of Langfuhr paid $28.70 to win. Woodsmoke is conditioned by Mike Keogh, who broke and trained the gray filly in Aiken. Another Gustav Schickedanz homebred filly by Langfuhr broke her maiden by 2¬½ lengths Saturday at Woodbine in a 7-furlong contest. Politelyprecocious collared Patience Drive late to score the win for trainer Mike Keogh. Robert and Janice McNair's multiple graded stakes winner Cowboy Cal held the lead into deep stretch before being passed by Einstein (BRZ) and placed second in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes Saturday at Churchill Downs. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Manchester Farm's Flying Spur finished third Friday in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. The Bill Mott charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Darley's Stormalory was euthanized after sustaining condylar sesamoid, medial sesamoid and pastern fractures Friday during running of the Grade 3 Crown Royal American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs, according to the Associated Press.

Rutledge Farm homebred French Kitty who placed second in the Iselin Hall of Fame Trophy during the 2009 Aiken Trials, broke her maiden by two lengths in a 4 ½-furlong race Sunday at Charles Town Races and Slots. The daughter of Tale of the Cat is conditioned by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Jacob's Run outran the competition Sunday at Philadelphia Park Sunday, winning a 6-furlong race by 6¾ lengths. The 5-year-old son of the 1988 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter Gulch is conditioned by Cody Autrey and was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stable.

Stonerside-bred multiple stakes winner General Charley won a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf Sunday at Arlington Park by 5 lengths. The 7-year-old chestnut gelding by Truluck is trained by Chris Block and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

4/30/2009 - Janet Elliot, who won three races during the Aiken Spring Steeplechase, will be the first female trainer to be inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in August. South Carolina resident Eddie Maple was elected in the jockeys category.

- Manchester Farm's Flying Spur will start in tomorrow's Kentucky Oaks. The filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

- Dogwood Stable enjoyed a successful week. Bricklayer, who dominated the field in winning The Von Stade Trophy by daylight, won by two lengths at first asking in a 4½ furlong race Thursday at Aqueduct. The dark bay son of El Corredor is trained by Frank Alexander.

"This is a colt with a lot of ability and a great deal of class. We will look forward to the big stakes at Saratoga this summer," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president, in a press release. "He was ridden by Javier Castellano and trained by Frank Alexander, who earlier had bought a share in the partnership that owns this colt. One of his local partners is Rob and Pam Johnston."

The El Corredor colt was purchased at the February Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Selected 2-year-olds in Training from the consignment of Crupi's New Castle Farm.

"I loved Bricklayer," said J.J. Crupi, at the April OBS 2-year-olds in Training Sale April 23 in Ocala. "I told Cot Campbell I thought he was a stakes horse. He could really run. I told everyone, he was a really nice horse. I thought he'd be early and that he would win a stake. The only one who would listen to me was Mr. Campbell."

- Dogwood Stable's Philharmonic's late turn of foot in the stretch was as moving as a concerto as the 4-year-old chestnut ridgling won a 5-furlong allowance race on the turf Sunday at Pimlico by a neck. Philharmonic is conditioned by George Weaver.

- Another Dogwood charge, Willie the Weeper, left the rest of the field in tears Saturday at Philadelphia Park, seizing command entering the stretch, and then drawing off to win by two lengths. The 3-year-old dark bay colt is conditioned by Christopher Grove and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

- Disco's Son, who returned to the winners circle after an 18½ month layoff from racing, made it two in row April 23 with a 1+ length victory in a 6-furlong race at Aqueduct. It was the second consecutive win for the dark bay son of Disco Rico since being gelded. Dave Litfin featured Disco's Son in the April 23rd edition of the Daily Racing Form. Phil Serpe trains Disco's Son, who trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

- Spring Hill Farm's Cat Moves lived up to her name, winning by 8 lengths in a 6-furlong contest Sunday at Aqueduct. The bay daughter of Tale of the Cat is trained by Anthony Dutrow and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

- Stakes winner Linda's Lace placed second Saturday in a 6-furlong allowance race at Indiana Downs. The daughter of Is Sveikatas is owned, trained and was broken and trained in Aiken by Bobby Zahl.

4/21/2009 - Rutledge Farm's Researcher, coming off a 22 length victory on March 28, won the 1 1/8 mile inaugural Charles Town Classic Saturday night at Charles Town Races and Slots by 2 lengths. Bred by the Virginia Tech Foundation, the son of Two Smart drew off in the stretch to win by 2 lengths. The $2,200 sales purchase is conditioned by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens. Researcher increased his bankroll to $676,809.

Spring Hill Farm's Spritely battled with Cowgirls Don't Cry before assuming command and drawing off by 3 lengths to win the 7 furlong Sugar Maple Stakes Saturday at Charles Town Races and Slots. The 4-year-old daughter of the 1997 Belmont Stakes winner, Touch Gold, is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Spritlely paid $12.40 to win.

"I couldn't be happier," said Stevens, of Researcher and Spritely's performances Saturday night. "Researcher has been adopted by the people at Charles Town as the local horse, and 500 people wanted to be in the winner's circle with him. Mr. Greenberg (owner of Rutledge Farm) and his family and Mr. Powell (farm manager of Rutledge Farm) and his family were both there. Researcher ran a heck of a race and seems to be getting better and better. Mr. Evans had a good night. Spritely is very competitive. She's always right there."

The team of Spring Hill Farm and Todd Pletcher combined for a 13 length victory Friday at Aqueduct. Malibu Prayer exploded in the stretch to break her maiden easily in a one-mile race under confident handling by jockey Eibar Coa. The bay filly by Malibu Moon was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz and Mike Keogh sent out a pair of starters in a 6 ½ furlong maiden race Sunday at Woodbine. Woodsmoke closed with a late move to win by 1 lengths and Politelyprecocious finished third. Woodsmoke, a 3-year-old gray filly by Sovereign Award winner Langfuhr, is a Schickedanz homebred. The entry paid $21.30 to win. Both horses were broken and trained by Keogh in Aiken.

Aiken Trials alumnus Fast Tigress closed late to place third in the Grade 3 one mile Appalachian Stakes on the turf Thursday at Keeneland. Fast Tigress was broken and trained by Ron Stevens.

4/17/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's Light Green wired the field, drawing off to win by 6 ¬½ lengths in a 6-furlong allowance race Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The bay daughter of the 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic winner, Pleasantly Perfect, is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

James Miller's Perfectly Campbell raced close to the pace and then made her move, collaring the leader, Having Faith, in the stretch to break her maiden last Thursday at Keeneland by a half length. The 3-year-old daughter of Pleasantly Perfect paid $121.20 to win. Elwood McCann Sr. conditions Perfectly Campbell, who was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

"I was very surprised, she showed she could do it," said Miller, in a phone interview Monday morning. "She was always a little skittish. We put blinkers on her, and that made the difference. It focused her on running. She finished well. She was ridden by an English rider (Tony Farina). He had just come over to the U.S. and rode him really well."

Spring Hill Farm's Marital Court placed second in a 7-furlong race Friday at Aqueduct. The James Jerkens charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stables Philharmonic placed second in a 5 ¬½-furlong race on the turf last Friday at Laurel Park. The 2-year-old chestnut ridgling is conditioned by George Weaver and was trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz's Tapenade stalked the early leaders and was in front in the stretch before placing second in a 5-furlong race last Friday at Woodbine. Mike Keogh conditions and broke and trained Tapenade in Aiken.

Eleonora Gianoulis' Lexie G. made a strong move, rallying late to finish second by a neck in a 5-furlong maiden special weight race on the turf last Thursday at Gulfstream Park. Lexie G. is trained by Christophe Clement and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Aiken Trials alumnus Nekia Farm's Super Nekia placed second April 5 at Keeneland at odds of 26-1 and paid $18 to place. Steve Epley Jr, conditions, broke and trained Super Nekia in Aiken.

4/9/2009 - Darley’s Stormalory caught Florentino (JPN) in the deep stretch to prevail in the final strides to win the 1 1/6 miles Grade 3 Central Bank Transylvania Stakes by a neck over a yielding turf course last Friday, the opening day of the Keeneland meet. The bay colt by Storm Cat is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, and was bred by Stonerside. Stormalory has now bankrolled $179,541. Stormalory was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable’s Zigfield, second in the Rushaway Stakes on March 21 at Turfway Park, has been entered in Saturday’s Grade 2 $1 million Arkansas Derby.

“Zigfield will van to Oaklawn Park on Wednesday from trainer Dale Romans’ base of operations at Churchill Downs,” said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president, in a press release. “The colt will be ridden by John Court, a seasoned pro.”

Lansdon Robbins III’s Legal Consent, who won the Aspirant Stakes last summer, won a 1-mile allowance race last Thursday at Aqueduct by 1 3/4 lengths. The New York-bred dark bay colt is by Grade One winner Officer and is trained by Carlos Martin. Legal Consent was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill’s Forest Bell broke his maiden by a length Saturday at Gulfstream Park in a 1-mile maiden special weight race on the turf. The 3-year-old is a son of Grade 1 winner Forestry. The chestnut colt is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher.

Another Spring Hill Farm charge, Tax Man, gave a firm accounting of himself, breaking his maiden in a 1-mile race by four lengths Friday at Aqueduct. The bay gelding is trained by James Jerkens and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable’s Willie the Weeper broke his maiden by 4 1/4 lengths and left the competition crying in a 6-furlong race last Wednesday at Penn National. The Pennsylvania-bred colt by Chapel Royal is trained by Christopher Grove and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Aiken Trials alumnus Atrevido Banditio won a 1 1/16 miles starter allowance March 28 at Oaklawn Park. The 4-year-old colt was broken and trained by Ron Stevens.

4/1/2009 - It may have been one of the best sale's that was never made. He may be lightly raced but Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road has lived up to his name, finding his way on the Derby trail, to a date with destiny on May 2 at Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum Brands!. The James Jerkens charge set a new track record for a 1 1/8 miles Saturday in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park by 1 3/4 lengths covering the distance in 1:47:72. Quality Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Quality Road was a late nominee Triple Crown nominee and had to pay a $6,000 fee to be eligible for the 135th Run for the Roses. Quality Road stayed in Aiken until July of his two year old campaign. He has earned $632,830.

The winner of the 1 mile Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28 by 4 1/4 lengths, Quality Road, broke his maiden at Aqueduct at 6 1/2 furlongs by 2 3/4 lengths. He placed second in his sophomore debut, a strong second in a 7 furlong allowance contest at Gulfstream Park to a rival he's turned the table on in his last two races, Theregoesjojo. Three horses have won both the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby prior to winning the first leg of the Triple Crown, Tim Tam (1958), Spectacular Bid (1979) and Thunder Gulch (1995).

"He lost a little bit of that glamour for his second place finish, if anyone saw the race or went back and studied it, saw he had a real excuse," said Stevens. "He didn't break. The jock decided he wanted the lead and Quarter Horsed him for over a quarter of a mile to get the lead. He was a used horse, and the other horse snuck by him. His last two races have been very impressive races. He's gone from being a horse with a chance to being one of the top favorites."

Quality Road is by Elusive Quality (who sired dual Classic winner Smarty Jones and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass), and is out of the Strawberry Road (AUS) broodmare Kobla, who is a full sister to the 1997 Eclipse Award winning Three Year Old Filly Ajina.

"He was a big horse, we weighed him in December (2007), and he was 1,190 pounds," said Stevens. "He fit together beautifully for a big horse, he had the foot, he had the bone to support a big horse. He was very well made. He gave you the sense he had a lot of class about him. He was a great big, growthy colt, and our opinion was he'd be a great three year old. He had class and tremendous size. We loved this horse and everything about him."

The bay colt had been consigned to the 2007 Keeneland Yearling Sale, but he failed to meet his reserve, and was bought back by Evans for $110,000.

"Mr. Evans raises over 50 babies a year, and likes to sell some to work on his cash flow, and tried to sell him as a yearling in the September sale," said Stevens.

Quality Road was to be entered into the 2008 April Two Year Olds in Training Sale when fate intervened.

"My instructions when I got him in 2007, were to push him a little bit, and to get him ready for the 2008 Keeneland 2 Year Olds in Training Sale," said Stevens. "He still wanted to sell him. The inspectors from Keeneland looked at him and liked him, and accepted him in the sale. Brad (Stauffer), myself and Chris Baker (manager of Evans' Spring Hill Farm, Casanova, Va.) put our heads together. I talked to Mr. Evans one day, and I said, 'I think I'm sticking my neck out a little, I don't think you should sell this horse, I think he may come back and haunt you.' That's what I told him. Mr. Evans is a wonderful man, and makes great decisions on his own, but he listened to us, and we jointly agreed. So, he kept him out of the sale."

4/1/2009 - Rutledge Farm's Researcher unearthed a treasure Saturday night as he lead from gate to wire, destroying the field in a 1 1/8 miles allowance race at Charles Town, winning by a margin of 22 1/4 lengths. The Jeff Runco charge is by Two Smart, out of the Apalachee broodmare Wild Magnolia. The bay gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Researcher's track record-setting performance is even more impressive since the victory came over an off-track. The surface was listed as muddy. Researcher covered the nine furlongs in 1:49.76 seconds.

"He's one of those miracle stories that gives you hope for the little guy," said Stevens.

Researcher was purchased by Rutledge Farm for $2,200 from the Virginia Tech Foundation. The bay gelding has been an honest and consistent racehorse, said Stevens. In 16 starts, he has won nine races, placed second three times and finished second twice, bankrolling $316,809. He won his debut during his juvenile year at seven furlongs by 8 1/2 lengths.

"Mr. Greenberg has some nice horses and purchases horses to support the college," said Stevens. "He's a wonderful man, who has put a lot of money into the industry, and he's deserving of good luck in this game. It's great to see one of his horses jump up. He's having a lot of fun."

The thought around the barn was that the Virgina-bred son of Two Smart, who was a big horse, would be a useful horse, but no one thought he would become a graded stakes winner and track record setter. The versatile gelding has shown ability on the turf as well as the dirt. Researcher won three consecutive stakes races during his 4-year-old campaign, winning the HBPA Governor's Cup Handicap (a 14 length victory) at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 17 at Charles Town, the Mountaineer Mile at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort on Nov. 8 and the 1 3/16 miles Grade 3 Queens County Handicap at Aqueduct on Dec. 13. He also finished third in both of his turf starts last summer, in the Daniel Van Clief Stakes and the John D. Marsh Stakes at Colonial Downs.

"He was a big colt, but all of the parts were right," said Stevens. "It's a pleasant and wonderful surprise that he's done so well."

The large margin of victory for the son of multiple stakes winner Two Smart did more than just turn heads.

"It was hard to believe (his 22 1/4 length victory), and the time (Researcher establishing a new track record), it was an off track, so he's probably a mudder," said Stevens. "I don't care what kind of class you're running against, to win by that margin is something special. It turned into a one horse race. He was pretty impressive. It was fun."

3/30/2009 - Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road has stamped himself as one of the favorites for the 135th edition of the Kentucky Derby.

The son of Elusive Quality not only won the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in convincing fashion by 1 3/4 lengths, but the James Jerkens charge completed the race in a time of 1:47.72, establishing a new track record for the distance. Quality Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

LTB Inc. and Naveed Chowhan's Free Brave closed strongly to win a 6-furlong race at Oaklawn Park last Wednesday by three-quarters of a length. The Bernie Flint charge paid $12.60 to win. The son of the 1994 Eclipse Award-winning Sprinter Cherokee Run was bred by Stonerside Stable and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones. Free Brave is a half-brother to stakes winner Speedway.

Darley's Sangaree went into another gear, accelerating entering the stretch to break his maiden by 2 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita on March 20. The son of the 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Awesome Again is a half-brother to the 2002 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Congaree. Sangaree is conditioned by Bob Baffert, was bred by Stonerside and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Spring Hill Farm's Cassanova Move was second best in the Grade 2 1/8-mile Bonnie Miss Stakes Friday at Gulfstream Park. The James Jerkens charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Darley's Aiken Trails Alumni and graded stakes winner Sea Chanter was second in the Grade 2 Rampart Stakes Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of War Chant is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Darley's Sweet Lemonade was second in a 1-mile allowance race Saturday at the Fair Grounds. The daughter of Lemon Drop Kid is trained by Brett Calhoun and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable's Leonine ran second in a 1-mile race Saturday at Turfway Park. The daughter of Lion Heart is trained by Elwood McCann Sr. and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

3/26/2009 - Adirondack Rose Thoroughbreds' Bill Allyn's summer base is in Saratoga, N.Y., but he decided to shift his winter base of training to Aiken this year after the passing of his wife.

It was also a way to escape the cold New York winters.

He had several options before he made the decision to choose Aiken. His daughter wanted him to come to Southern Pines. Allyn has friends in Camden, but it was at the suggestion of someone he knew in Saratoga, that he should look into the possibility of coming to Aiken. After looking at all three areas, he decided on Aiken, and he's only five and a half hours away from his new grandson.

"Aiken loves its horses, and I've been totally welcomed," said Allyn. "I'm tickled to death to be here."

The Thoroughbred trainer has also found the surface at the Aiken Training Track to his liking.

"I'm able to turn my horses out after they've trained, and take them out for hacks afterwards, and the filly that I have that I ran in the trials has never been as relaxed."

Allyn will more than likely depart Aiken during the last week in April, and will return to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in mid-May to condition his horses over the Oklahoma Training Track.

"Saratoga can still have ice on the buckets and snow flurries," said Allyn. "The horses will all have a chance to run at Belmont once or twice. If they don't show me that they belong at Saratoga, then I'm going to take a shot at the turf racing at Colonial Downs. All of these guys are turf horses. I have a horse (by Gold Token) in Erhardt with Randy Rentz that will be up here the first of April."

Allyn may point the horses to the Belmont and Aqueduct fall meets. He's been training for 25 years and doesn't believe in pushing 2-year-olds. He's also taught school, and worked in a detention home.

"If I can go to Saratoga and run competitively against the best horses in the country, that woule be something I have done with these guys," said Allyn. "They broke their maiden at the New York Racing Association tracks. The horses will have to go where they can make money. Last year, I had four horses, and they all raced the week of November 1. Last winter, I had a lot of left over business, and actually turned them out up there (in New York), and shipped down here in the middle of January. I didn't bring them here (to the Aiken Training Track) until the middle of February because they were dead fit. They've been here a month, and they've all breezed a half (mile)."

Among the horses in Allyn's barn include a charge named Ginowillietwoshoes, who was named after two professional dancers, Gino and Willie, said the trainer.

"They're in their 80s, and they spend every Saturday during the meet (Saratoga) at a picnic table, and they've never had a horse, but they're great fans," said Allyn. "The person that bred him named him after Gino and Willie.

I really want that horse to start at Saratoga, even if I'm at Colonial. I hope they live long enough to see him go."

3/24/2009 - Darley's Tizaqueena wired the field in the 1 1/16-mile Fortin Handicap on the turf Saturday at the Fair Grounds. The 4-year-old daughter of dual Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow was bred by Stonerside Stable, is trained by Mike Stidham and was broken and trained by Tim Jones. The dark bay filly won by a half-length.

Dogwood Stable's Lime Rickey is being pointed to the Grade 1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 4. The son of Eclipse Award and Classic winner Lemon Drop Kid has placed second in three consecutive stakes races including the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes in his last start. The Frank Alexander charge has bankrolled $131,107 and will be making the transition from the turf to the dirt should he start in the Wood Memorial.

"We don't know how he will take to dirt in a race, but now is the time to find out, and the 1 1/8-miles Wood Memorial is a spot that will test him pretty keenly," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

Another Dogwood runner, Ziegfield, placed second in the 1 1/16-miles Rushaway Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park. Bred by Edward Evans, the son of Elusive Quality closed strongly to finish 2 ½ lengths behind the winner. The gray colt is conditioned by Dale Romans and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's multiple stakes placed Spritely, a 4-year-old filly by 1997 Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold, destroyed the field, winning a 1-mile allowance race by 6 3/4 lengths Friday at Aqueduct. The Todd Pletcher charge was bred by John and Barbara Smicklas and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Three other Spring Hill horses also enjoyed success this past week. Light Fever placed second in a 6-furlong allowance race Friday at Aqueduct; Grand Minstrel was second in a 6-furlong race at Aqueduct on Saturday, and Minishaft missed by a head in a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf at Gulfstream Park this past Sunday. All three horses were broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Mike Rutherford's Boozy placed second Friday in a 1-mile race at the Fair Grounds. Boozy was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Suzy Haslup

3/15/2009 - Aiken Training Track boasts a setting that holds the same mystique as a number of hallowed sport venues.

A total of 39 champions have trained over the track as well as stakes winners too numerous to mention, and those people who attended Thursday morning's "Breakfast at the Gallops" at the Aiken Training Track, a fundraiser for the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, had a chance to learn about the sport while having the benefit of watching horses train.

Several Thoroughbred trainers participated in the forum and gave those attending the event an in-depth look at what it takes to train a Thoroughbred racehorse.

Among those speaking at "Breakfast at the Gallops" was Thoroughbred trainer Suzy Haslup, who relocated to Aiken from Maryland and has conditioned racehorses at the training track for the past 16 years.

Haslup, along with trainers Tim Jones, Bill Allyn, Dogwood Stable president Cot Campbell and track announcer Nicho Meredith, participated in the event.

A variety of topics were discussed in reference to training a racehorse, exercising the horses and preparing the horses for the races.

The Thoroughbreds that train at the Aiken Training Track will arrive at racetracks nationwide, already having learned to be guided by the rider, to run from a standing start in a starting gate and to exercise with and among other horses.

The horses being conditioned at the Aiken Training Track when they leave to start their careers will be used to daily grooming and routine visits from veterinarians and farriers.

Trainers condition the Thoroughbred athletes to achieve a high level of fitness and strength so they will be ready to campaign and compete successfully at the racetrack.

3/16/2009 - Disco's Son didn't seem to miss a step as the 6-year-old son of multiple graded stakes winner Disco Rico won his first start in over 18 ½ months, winning a 6-furlong allowance race last Wednesday at Gulfstream Park by 1 1/4 lengths. He paid $25.80 to win. The Phil Serpe-charge's last start was a 6 ½-furlong allowance race on Aug. 29, 2007, at Saratoga. The dark bay gelding was bred and races in the silks of Henry DiRico. Disco's Son trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm, and in 14 starts, has four wins, one second and two thirds. He increased his lifetime earnings to $126,680.

Elusive Gift, a half brother to Grade I winner Christmas Kid, won a 6-furlong allowance race at Aqueduct on Sunday by three lengths. The 4-year-old son of Elusive Quality found his way to the rail and was dominant throughout the race. The colt is campaigned by Spring Hill Farm and is trained by James Jerkens. Elusive Gift was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

The Grade 3 1 1/8-mile Palm Beach Stakes on the Turf Saturday at Gulfstream Park featured Dogwood Stable's multiple stakes placed Lime Rickey, who has consecutive second-place stakes finishes in the Dania Beach Stakes and the Hallandale Beach Stakes, and Darley's Stormalory. Lime Rickey closed to place second, and Stormalory finished a head behind Lime Rickey to place third. Lime Rickey increased his earnings to $131,107, and Stormalory's bankroll now stands at $86,541.

Manchester Farm's Flying Spur placed second Saturday in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks. The 3-year-old filly is by champion Giant's Causeway out of the multiple Grade 1 winner Lakeway (who was also bred and campaigned by Mike Rutherford's Manchester Farm). Flying Spur is trained by Bill Mott and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

3/16/2009 - The 39th member of the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum was enshrined Sunday afternoon in a ceremony that honored Godolphin Racing's Midshipman.

The chestnut colt, who was foaled March 26, 2006, was bred by Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable and raced in their silks before being purchased by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley Stable on Sept. 1, 2008. He has since been transferred to the Maktoum family's Godolphin Stable.

Midshipman was also honored Sunday as the 2008 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year and is the third consecutive horse bred by Stonerside to receive the honor and the fourth overall.

Dogwood Stable president Cot Campbell served as the Master of Ceremonies.

John Adger, who served as Stonerside Stable's racing and bloodstock manager and is a consultant for Darley, accepted the award and recognized the connections involved with the success of Midshipman including the McNairs, Sheikh Mohammed, trainer Bob Baffert, Stonerside Stable's trainer Tim Jones, Stonerside's assistant trainer Terry Houghton, exercise rider Crystal Pauli and the entire Stonerside staff, who all played critical roles in the horse's development.

"One of my proudest days in racing is that we sold a man two champions - Midshipman and Raven's Pass (Breeders' Cup Classic winner and the champion miler in Europe)," said Adger. "We're very proud of that. This is very special for us."

3/14/2009 - The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum will induct its 39th member today in a ceremony at the famed facility at 12:30 p.m.

The 2008 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old colt, Godolphin's Midshipman, will also be honored as the 2008 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year. The induction ceremony will be the first since Dogwood Stable's Storm Song was enshrined in 1996.

Bred by Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable, the chestnut colt is by the 1996 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Unbridled's Song. Midshipman won two Grade 1 races as a juvenile and broke his maiden in his debut on the all-weather surface at Del Mar on Aug. 17. He followed that effort by winning the 7-furlong Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 3. His first two victories came while racing in the silks of Stonerside Stable. Midshipman was conditioned by Bob Baffert.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley Stable purchased Stonerside Stable on Sept. 1. In his first start for his new owners, Midshipman finished second in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Sept. 28.

The precocious colt was nothing less than sensational in winning the 1 1/16-mile Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park. Midshipman received the high weight assignment of 126 pounds on The Jockey Club's 2008 Experimental Free Handicap. He was transferred to Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin division and is now being conditioned by Saeed bin Suroor.

Midshipman is off the Triple Crown Trail after he sustained a soft tissue injury to his left front leg March 1 during training at Godolphin's Al Quoz Stables in Dubai. The Eclipse Award winner is scheduled to return to the United States in April and may race later this year. Midshipman is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Fast Cookie.

Midshipman was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones, and his regular rider was Crystal Pauli.

The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Hopelands Gardens at 135 Dupree Place.

3/15/2009 - Dogwood Stable captured three races, and Nekia Farm continued its dominance in The City of Aiken Trophy, winning for the eighth time in nine years during the 67th running of the Aiken Trials.

Bruce and Rita Snipes' Nekia Farm captured The City of Aiken Trophy with Delissimo, whose explosive 9 length victory from gate to wire was more than enough to capture the summit of the day's feature race. The gelded son of Desert Warrior, who is conditioned by Steve Epley Jr., was piloted to victory under confident handling by Chad Frederick.

"No one tested him, I'm looking for the 10th win (in The City of Aiken Trophy)," said Bruce Snipes. "He'll be going to Keeneland and Saratoga in the fall."

Dogwood Stable's Snap Happy snapped to attention, disposing of the other speed in the race to get clear and held off Nekia Farm's unnamed filly for a three-quarters of a length victory to capture the day's first trial The Gaver Trophy. The juvenile daughter of Grade 1 winner Lion Heart was piloted by Salvadore Torres and is conditioned by Ron Stevens.

"I would think she would go up to Keeneland to either Dallas Stewart or Todd Pletcher," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. "When you win one here, it's logical that you would go to Keeneland and win one of those baby races. It'll be interesting to see the times for the rest of the day. I think this track is a little bit gummy. I hope that we'll find out that 24 1/5 seconds is a decent time."

Dogwood Stable's Zapster broke alertly from the starting gate, but an unnamed dark bay colt quickly moved to the fore, making the pace and responding when challenged to hold off the bid of rival Wildlee Special, who closed explosively in the stretch, and prevail to win The Coward Trophy.

"The horse (Wildlee Special) will either be going to Todd Pletcher or Richard Dutrow Jr.," said Don Snelling, Lansdon Robbins III's son-in-law who has come to the Aiken Trials the last five years. "These guys (Eli Gindi and his connections) spent 20 years with me in the Thoroughbred business. This whole family (of the winner) originated from the family of this one mare, No Fairy Tale, who is the dam of the winning horse (Fleeting Feline)."

There was never any doubt as Dogwood Stable's Bricklayer drove to a convincing score winning by daylight, besting his rivals by a seven-length margin. The trainer combination of Ron Stevens and Salvadore Torres were the winning connections in The Von Stade Trophy.

Bricklayer was purchased by Dogwood Stable from the consignment of Crupi's New Castle Farm at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Select 2-year-olds in Training Sale on Feb. 17. The son of Grade One winner El Corredor's explosive turn of foot readily disposed of his rivals. Bricklayer will go to trainer Frank Alexander on April 10.

"He's come around faster than we thought; I just bought him three weeks ago," said Campbell. "He broke on time and came out of the gate bouncing. I hadn't really thought that we would be this far along with him."

Eli Yale used the race's fast pace as a springboard and cruised to a stirring win in the Polo Pony Race to capture The Post Trophy. Pam Gleason owns, conditions and rode the chestnut gelding whose furious fractions steadily increased their winning margin in the stretch.

"It was really fun; I had a great time," said Gleason, whose horse was a racehorse before making the transition to becoming a polo pony and scored his maiden victory Saturday.

"I'm very happy for him. He's a good horse with a lot of heart, and he does what you want him to do, and that's why he makes a great polo pony. There's a big move in the sport of polo to improve the sport by improving the horses. We want to bring recognition to horses that are fast and playing polo. We were awarded a registration in the American Polo Horse Association for winning the race."

The Iselin Hall of Fame Trophy saw several horses break well from the gate including two who would be factors later in the contest - Dogwood Stable's Winged Hero and Rutledge Farm's French Kitty. But it was the race's lone male participant who assumed command and gave Dogwood Stable, trainer Ron Stevens and rider Salvadore Torres their third victory, capping off an incredible day. Winged Hero is a gray 3-year-old gelding by the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, and he battled with French Kitty to claim the victory.

"He'll be going to Keeneland," said Campbell. "He showed a little bit more speed than we thought. I thought he was a horse that would want to go a distance, and I was a bit surprised that he had that kind of quickness."

Click here to view full trials results (PDF).

3/14/2009 - Today is the first leg of Aiken’s Triple Crown, the Aiken Trials. Young, inexperienced horses race.

When: Gates open at 10 a.m. The Carriage Parade begins at 1 p.m. Post time is 2 p.m.

Where: Aiken Training Track on Two Notch Road

Cost: General admission tickets at the gate are $15 each at the gate. General admission parking passes are $15.

See www.aikenstandard.com/triplecrown/ for more information and a Triple Crown schedule

Weather Outlook - and Options: Rain or shine, the Trials will go on.

The forecast for today is a 60 percent chance of rain and temperatures in the 50s. The Trials have never been canceled, but around 1990 they were postponed until the next Wednesday because of snow, said Nikki Bargeloh, Aiken Training Track office manager.

The races and the parties will go on, but track officials suggest you bring your rain gear. Umbrellas are discouraged, but you can have them well away from the rail. Don’t bring them near the rail during a race because it can spook the young horses, Bargeloh said. Also, tents aren’t allowed.

There are still tickets for the VIP Tent Party. Tickets will be sold today for $100. Bargeloh said she sold many VIP tickets on Friday. The VIP tent is by the finish line. You can watch the races from the tent area or on TV via a live feed of the races. A buffet luncheon will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be an open bar and music by the jazz ensemble Southern Nights.

There are several horses running in today’s Aiken Trials that you should be on the lookout for.

First race: An unnamed horse, owned by Gainesway Farm who drew post position two, is by dual Classic winner Afleet Alex (winner of the 2005 Preakness and Belmont Stakes).

Second Race: Dogwood Stable’s Zapster is by the 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper.

Third Race: Lansdon Robbins III has a three-pronged entry including two fillies by Grade One winner Offlee Wild who was campaigned by Robbins.

Third Race: Dogwood Stable’s Bricklayer was purchased from the 2009 February Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale on Feb. 17.

Fourth Race: The Polo Pony Race. Horses will race the length of a polo field and from a standing start.

Fifth Race: Dogwood Stable’s Winged Hero is the only gelding (an altered male) in a field composed of primarily fillies.

Sixth Race: Nekia Farm has three entries in The City of Aiken Cup Trophy, a race they’ve won 7 of the last 8 years.

Sixth Race: Zipping Nekia, who is by Grade One winner City Zip, will be ridden by Advanced level eventer Heidi White.

Sixth Race: Dogwood Stable will have a dark bay colt Cleric breaking from the three hole.

Parking: There will be many signs pointing you to the track and the various parking lots. Check your ticket to see which lot you should park in. If you’re buying a ticket at the gate, go to the general admission area.

Polo Ponies At The Trials

Polo ponies will get a chance this year to race at The Aiken Trials. The ponies will race 300 yards, or the length of a polo field. The winner gets a trophy and recognition in The Aiken Horse. Riders will wear most of the traditional polo uniform. Between regular races on Saturday, the Aiken Polo Club will put on short polo demonstrations.

3/11/2009 - Carl Lizza's Flying Zee Stable's I Lost My Choo showed her predilection for the surface at Gulfstream Park and is now 4-for-4 at the Hallandale Beach, Fla.-based track after scoring a 2-length victory Saturday in the Grade 3 1-mile Honey Fox Stakes on the turf. The 4-year-old New York-bred filly paid $16.40 to win. The daughter of Western Expression won the Grade 3 Virginia Oaks during her sophomore campaign. I Lost My Choo is conditioned by Phil Serpe and trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm. I Lost My Choo increased her bankroll to $336,140.

Stakes winner Legal Consent placed second Saturday in a 6-furlong allowance race at Aqueduct. The winner of the New York Breeders' Futurity Stakes during his juvenile campaign, the son of Grade 1 winner Officer races in the silks of Lansdon Robbins III, is trained by Carlos Martin and the dark bay colt was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Thomas Leavell's Our Big Sister got up late to place second in a 6-furlong race Friday at the Fair Grounds. The 6-year-old daughter of Frisk Me Now is conditioned by Carl Bowman and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Manchester Farm's Eraser was a game second Sunday in a 1-mile race on the turf at the Fair Grounds. The 3-year-old dark bay daughter of Tale of the Cat is trained by Brett Calhoun and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Kickapoo, who won the 2008 Aiken Trials The Coward Trophy, finished third in a 6-furlong race Saturday at Aqueduct. The son of Indian Charlie is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

3/8/2009 - It's an annual rite of passage for Thoroughbred racing enthusiasts and interested spectators. The 67th edition of the Aiken Trials will be held Saturday.

The Aiken Trials will benefit the Aiken Land Conservancy, the Aiken Jaycees and the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. This year's race card will feature a polo pony race. The polo ponies will race from a standing start, and will run the length of a polo field, approximately 300 yards. There will also be a short polo demonstration by the Aiken Polo Club.

Sponsors for this year's races include Meybohm Realtors; Atlantic Broadband; Boots, Bridles and Britches; The Aiken Jaycees; OCD Pellets; AllStar Rents; The Aiken Horse; Cable Vantage; the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum; the Aiken Land Conservancy; AB Beverage Co. Inc.; and Vista Bank.

The festivities begin Thursday with the Breakfast at the Gallops, a fundraiser for the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, held at the Aiken Training Track's clockers stand. Those attending the event will have an opportunity to learn more about the sport of Thoroughbred racing, as trainers based at the facility discuss the sport and answer questions. The cost per ticket is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The event will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. For more information, call 642-7650.

The Starting Gate Party is scheduled for Thursday evening and will feature music by Anybody's Guess. The dinner will be catered by Papa Russ' Catering by Jennifer, and the meal will have a barbecue theme with a varied menu. Tickets to the Starting Gate Party are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. The Starting Gate Party will be held on the infield of the Aiken Training Track.

The stable rate for the Starting Gate Party for the purchase of ten tickets is $450 instead of $500.

The VIP Tent Party will be held Saturday. Those in the attendance at the tent party will have an opportunity to watch the races on TV, and there will be a live feed of the day's races. The buffet luncheon is being catered by Up Your Alley, and will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be an open bar, and music will be provided by the jazz ensemble Southern Nights. The cost per ticket is $90 in advance and $100 at the door. The VIP Tent Party will be held in proximity to the finish line, providing spectators with an outstanding view.

The cost for infield corporate tickets is $200, infield rail are $100, infield row 2 are $75, outfield rail are $100, outfield row 2 are $75, outfield row 3 are $70 and outfield back railan camper space are $70. The reserved parking includes one vehicle pass and five general admission tickets.

General admission tickets to the event are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. General admission parking is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.

General admission tickets can be purchased at AllStar Rents Inc.; H. Odell Weeks Activities Center; Aiken Saddlery & Supply; Women's Echoes; Boots, Bridles & Britches; and Anything Goes Gifts in North Augusta.

The gates open at 10 a.m. The concession vendors open at 11 a.m. and the carriage parade is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 278-4TIX or through www.tixonline.com.

For more information visit www.theaikentrainingtrack.com.

3/7/2009 - Thoroughbred trainer Mike Keogh has had the good fortune to have trained a number of stakes winners and champions.

Among the horses he's conditioned for owner Gustav Schickedanz include the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando, the 2003 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, as well as multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Mobil. He has several horses in training by both sires. Wando and Mobil are both by the 1996 Sovereign Award-winning sprinter Langfuhr, a horse also conditioned by Keogh at the Aiken Training Track.

"I only have two Mobils down here. They really have nice bone on them; Langfuhr seems to give them all bone," said Keogh. "Plus (Langfuhr) was out of a Naskra mare; those Naskras are real tough. The two I'm training have a real nice bone on them, are training forwardly and they have a brain. If they take after their father they'll be great."

The two Mobils are named Mobil Unit and Color of Speed, said Keogh.

Mobil won 12 races, 11 stakes, including graded stakes on both the dirt and turf. He won the Grade 3 Ontario Derby, Grade 3 Toronto Handicap on the turf, Grade 3 Dominion Day Handicap and Grade 3 Vigil Handicap. He was second in the Grade 1 Queen's Plate Stakes to Wando. Mobil retired with earnings of $1,877,136. He would win stakes races at ages 2 through 5. He is a half-brother to stakes placed Kinkennie. Mobil won the Sovereign Award in 2004 as the outstanding Older Male horse. He stands as a stallion at Schonberg Farm, Schomberg, Ont., Canada.

Wando was the 2003 Horse of the Year and outstanding 3-Year-Old Colt in Canada. His full sister is stakes winner Six Sexy Sisters. The chestnut colt won 11 races, including 8 stakes races, en route to bankrolling $2,563,038. Wando stands at Lane's End, Versailles, Ky. Keogh has several Wando horses in training.

"One (of the Wando's) is Woodland Flute; the Wando's have real nice bone on them too," said Keogh. "Woodland Flute is a half-brother to D. Flutie. I have a really nice filly by Wando, out of a Trajectory mare, Silent Whisper, and I have another Wando out of a Gulch mare. They're all training very forwardly; they're great in the starting gate. I'm just looking forward to getting the horses off to a very good year."

3/3/2009 - The 2008 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Midshipman is off the Triple Crown Trail after sustaining a soft tissue injury Sunday morning during training at Godolphin's Al Quoz Stables in Dubai, according to the Thoroughbred Times. The Eclipse Award winner is scheduled to return to the United States in April and may race later this year.

Quality Road demonstrated his class and is definitely on the Triple Crown Trail after an electrifying performance Saturday in the 1-mile Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old son of multiple graded stakes winner Elusive Quality was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens, and is conditioned at the track by James Jerkens. The bay colt is campaigned by Edward Evans. The Spring Hill homebred stalked the early leader, This One's for Phil, and took command before entering the stretch to draw off to win easily by 4-1/4 lengths .

"After his first race, he received a little attention, but after his second start, people seemed to forget about him," said Stevens. "I loved the way he ran; he just kept going. He's a quality horse, has a quality mind and has so much class. He had more speed than I thought."

Quality Road was consigned to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale but was bought back by Evans, said Stevens. Kobla, Quality Road's dam, is a full sister to Eclipse Award winner Ajina and a half-sister to Grade Three winner Rob's Spirit. The Florida Derby and Wood Memorial are being considered as the possible next start for the sophomore runner.

Aiken Trials alumnus Citizen, who won the Meadowlake Stakes as a juvenile, added the 6-furlong Mountain Valley Stakes Saturday at Oaklawn Park to his resume. The bay colt held on for the victory, winning by a head, and paid $60 to win. Bred by Stonerside Stable, Citizen is by Grade 1 winner City Zip, races in the silks of L.T.B., Inc. and Naveed Chowhan, and is conditioned by Bernard Flint. Citizen was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable's Philharmonic won a 5 ½ furlong allowance race Thursday at Laurel Park. The chestnut ridgling gained command entering the stretch and won by 1 ½ lengths. The son of Hennessy is trained by George Weaver and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Darley's Sweet Lemonade left her rivals sour, collaring pace setter Mystery Tune in the final furlong to win a 5 ½ furlong race on the turf by 1-1/4 lengths Friday at the Fair Grounds. The Stonerside Stable bred 4-year-old filly is by Classic and Eclipse Award winner Lemon Drop Kid and is conditioned by Brett Calhoun. Sweet Lemonade was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Spring Hill's Cassanova Move placed second in the Grade 2 Davona Dale Stakes Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The James Jerkens charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

2/28/2009 - Fox Ridge Farm owner Peter Schiff and Thoroughbred trainer Pat Kelly were in Aiken Wednesday to watch their horses work at the Aiken Training Track. Fox Ridge's horses are broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup.

Pat Kelly, whose father is Hall of Fame conditioner Thomas "T. J." Kelly, has conditioned a number of graded stakes winners over the years including recent retiree Evening Attire (who was raced by Tommy Kelly and Joseph and Mary Grant).

"I'm always looking for the next big horse, I'm looking for another Evening Attire, they're hard to find," said Kelly. "I've been lucky to have been around some good horses. I was second in the Kentucky Derby with Laser Light (1982)."

Evening Attire, a son of the 1991 Horse of the Year Black Tie Affair raced until age 10 before being retired as the result of a suspensory injury, but was a consistent race horse, winning $2,977,130. He won the 1 1/2 mile Greenwood Cup in his last start at Philadelphia Park by an impressive 8 1/4 lengths on July 19, establishing a new track record for the distance.

"He loved that mile and-a-half stuff," said Kelly. "It was opening new vistas for him. It was a hot day, 95 degrees, and he was never much for hot weather. He shipped down, and it was lights out."

The gray gelding won the 2002 Grade One Jockey Club Gold Cup, and that along with defeating dual Classic winner Funny Cide in the 2005 Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap, are Kelly's favorite memories of the multiple graded stakes winner's distinguished career.

"The Jockey Club Gold Cup, it was his only win at Belmont Park, he never won again there," said Kelly. "And defeating Funny Cide in the Saratoga Breeders' Cup a couple of years ago. There were 70,000 people with Funny Cide beer mugs."

Fox Ridge Farm's Naughty New Yorker, who was the 2007 New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Horse of the Year, and was also named champion Older Male, is hoping to return to action this spring, said Kelly. The seven year old horse was trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff. Naughty New Yorker has earned more than $980,000.

"Naughty New Yorker just came back from his first winter at a farm in Pennsylvania," said Kelly. "Hopefully, he'll have a race at Belmont before we go to Saratoga."

Stakes wining filly Homerette, who was broken and trained by Cluff in Aiken, and conditioned by Kelly, is now a broodmare, and is in foal to graded stakes winner Posse. She is due to foal in March, said Kelly.

2/24/2009 - His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley Stable and Godolphin Racing were both recognized by the Thoroughbred Times as industry leaders among the sport's leading owners in its Feb. 21 edition. Darley Stud was also recognized by the Thoroughbred Times as a leading stud farm in their Feb. 14 edition.

Billy Badgett, who trained multiple Eclipse Award winner Go for Wand and has conditioned a number of stakes winners, including Fire Maker, Clark Street, New Deal, Flitch and Sentimental Moi, was a familiar face at the Aiken Training Track in the early 1980s while working as an assistant trainer for Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens.

"I was lucky enough to be working for Woody Stephens, which was great," said Badgett in an interview at the Ocala Breeders Sales Company Pavilion on Feb. 17. "I had an opportunity to be around some of the best horses of the time - Swale, Devil's Bag, Danzig Connection, top-class horses like that. Aiken's a tremendous place to train a horse - they really do well there, and they come out of there the right way. Back in the heyday, Mack Miller, Mike Freeman, the Phipps' ... it was just a great place for horses, too."

The trainer was impressed with the track's surface and South Carolina's climate.

"The training track was always a very good track; it held up to the rain," said Badgett. "You never missed that many days of training because of the weather. It was cool in the morning, and it warmed up in the afternoon. It was great for the horses."

Dogwood Stable's Prince Rahy won a 1-mile allowance race on the turf Thursday at Gulfstream Park as he collared his rival in deep stretch to win by 1 3/4 lengths. The 7-year-old son of Rahy is conditioned by Frank Alexander, and the chestnut gelding increased his lifetime earnings to $261,485. Prince Rahy was trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Elusive Gift won a 6-furlong allowance race by 3/4 lengths Friday at Aqueduct. The 4-year-old son of multiple graded stakes winner Elusive Quality is trained by James Jerkens. Elusive Gift was broken and trained by Stevens.

Michael and Patricia Palenscar's Call Michael overcame a rough start and was in command for most of the race, then drew off to break his maiden by 6 3/4 lengths in a 1 mile and 70 yard race. The 3-year-old New York-bred son of Runaway Groom is conditioned by David Donk, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup.

Spring Hill Farm's Subprime placed second in the 1 1/16-mile Busher Stakes at Aqueduct Sunday. The filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

2/22/2009 -Dogwood Stable was very active at the 2009 Ocala Breeders' Sales February Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training Sales as the stable purchased five horses for $545,000. The Aiken-based Thoroughbred racing operation was the third-leading buyer at the sale that was conducted on Feb. 17 at the Ocala, Fla. sales venue.

They purchased a bay colt by Grade 1 winner Yes It's True from the consignment of Eisaman Equine for $225,000.

"(Dogwood Stable president) Cot Campbell sure knows a good racehorse when he sees one," said Dr. Barry Eisaman, Eisaman Equine, at the sale in Ocala on Feb. 17.

Two of the horses will be offered with four shares, and three of the horses with eight shares, which Dogwood has not done before, said Campbell.

"The horses all trained this morning (Friday), and I was tickled to death," said Campbell. "They all got here Wednesday morning (Feb. 18), but today was the first day they trained. It's always important to see them go out there."

One of the horses purchased was sired by a horse that raced in the Dogwood Stable colors, graded stakes winner and track record setter Heckle. The dark bay filly, who is a half-sister to stakes placed filly Tailbytherail was bought from the consignment of Niall Brennan for $60,000.

"It means a lot (to buy a horse sired by Heckle), and some of the people who were involved with Heckle, will be involved with the filly I think," said Campbell. "He (Heckle) now stands in Louisiana. I'm pleased to have her, and she's a New York-bred."

Dogwood also purchased an El Corredor colt for $100,000 from the consignment of Crupi's New Castle Farm, a Hennessy Colt from Eisaman Equine for $95,000 and a Songandaprayer colt from Nick de Meric's consignment for $65,000.

"We've had some luck with Songandaprayer, and with Nick," said Campbell. "We bought Wallenda and Smok'n Frolic from Nick. I like that colt."

2/16/2009 - Dogwood Stable's Lime Rickey has demonstrated a pronounced proclivity for the turf - he placed in consecutive stakes races on the surface with a strong showing Saturday as he closed determinedly to place second in the 1 1/16-miles Hallandale Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The son of Lemon Drop Kid started off his sophomore season as he placed second in the Dania Beach Stakes last month, and the Frank Alexander-charge increased his earnings to $101,107.

On Saturday afternoon, Gulfstream was the perfect place to be for Dogwood Stable as Ziegfield, another 3-year-old colt, won and broke his maiden in a 1 1/8-mile race. The multiple-graded stakes-winning son of Elusive Quality is conditioned by Dale Romans. Lime Rickey and Ziegfield were broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Marc Keller's Bribon (FR) collared the leader as he entered the stretch and drew off to win easily in scoring a 6-length victory in a 1-mile allowance race on the dirt Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

The 6-year-old gelded son of Mark of Esteem (IRE) is conditioned by Robert Ribaudo, and had trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Darley's Tizaqueena wired the field in a 1-mile race on the turf and won by 1 3/4 lengths at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 8.

The daughter of the 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow was bred by Stonerside Stable, is trained by Mike Stidham, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

2/14/2009 - The impact they've made on the Thoroughbred industry in less than 15 years is nothing less than remarkable. Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable was recognized by the Thoroughbred Times in its Feb. 7 edition as one of the sport's premier breeders.

A total of nine runners bred by Stonerside Stable won stakes races in 2008 - Breeders' Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass, 2008 Eclipse Award winning 2-Year-Old Male and Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Midshipman, Barcola, Chatain, Citizen, City Style, Cowboy Cal, General Charley and Skylighter.

It was announced Sept. 1 that Stonerside sold the majority of its assets, including its farm in Paris, Ky., and its training barns in Aiken to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley Stable. The McNairs had previously sold their training center in Saratoga, Springs, N.Y., to Sheikh Mohammed. Robert McNair cited his commitment to the NFL's Houston Texans, and said he would not be able to devote sufficient time to the stable's thoroughbred operation.

Stonerside has bred and owned a number of successful stakes winners, many of them homebreds, and that list includes the 2002 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, multiple Grade 1 winner Congaree; the 2006 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, Bob and John; and the 2007 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, the multiple Grade 1-winning filly Country Star.

Stonerside established its breeding operation in 1994, and in addition to Midshipman, Congaree, Bob and John, and Country Star, other stakes winners bred by the McNairs under the Stonerside banner include Van Nistlerooy, Michita, Miss Coronado, Fast Cookie, Karen's Caper, Sahara Heat, Texas Fever, Sea Chanter, The Cliff's Edge and Truluck. In partnership, the McNairs bred the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus and graded stakes winner E. Dubai.

The McNairs both have strong ties to the Palmetto State. Robert McNair graduated from the University of South Carolina and Janice McNair from Columbia College. They met while attending college.

John Adger, a consultant for Darley at Stonerside, was Stonerside Stable's racing and bloodstock manager, and has played a critical role in the breeding part of the McNairs' operation.

Stonerside Stable was a finalist for the 2008 Eclipse Award as outstanding breeder and finished second in voting.

According to the Thoroughbred Times, Stonerside enjoyed the highest rate of stakes winners - an astounding 9 percent winners from 100 starters.

Stonerside was also first in average earnings per starter with $73,495 and finished second in earnings with $7,349,467. They had five graded stakes winners, and 60 wins from 100 starts.

Cowboy Cal Benoit & Associates photo

2/9/2009 - The all-weather surface at Santa Anita Park seems to be to the liking of Robert and Janice McNair's Cowboy Cal.

The multiple graded stakes-winning son of Giant's Causeway won the 1 1/8-mile Grade 2 Strub Stakes by 3/4 of a length on Saturday as he commandeered the lead in the stretch after he stalked the early pacesetter Wishful Tomcat. The victory followed Cowboy Cal's win in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Handicap on Jan. 10. The Todd Pletcher-charge has now bankrolled $747,708. Cowboy Cal was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

"As of right now, we're looking toward pointing him toward the Santa Anita Handicap (Mar. 7)," said John Adger, Robert and Janice McNair's racing and Bloodstock manager, in a phone interview Sunday evening. "He's a very gritty horse."

Darley's Stormalory won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on the turf by 1 3/4 lengths Thursday at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old colt by Storm Cat is conditioned by Bill Mott, was bred by Stonerside Stable, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Rutledge Farm's Rutledge Storm broke his maiden by 1 length Friday at Laurel Park. The 4-year-old filly by Storm Cat is trained by Graham Motion, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Several other horses who were broken and trained in Aiken won this past week. Jelly Roll broke her maiden Wednesday at Gulfstream Park - the 4-year-old filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens. Rich Hero won a 6-furlong race Thursday at the Fair Grounds - the gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones. Aiken Trials alumnus Atrevido Bandito won a 6-furlong race Friday at Oaklawn Park - he was trained in Aiken by Stevens.

2/8/2009 - The pioneer in the world of Thoroughbred racing partnerships introduced its 2009 marketing policy, which will make it easier for people to get involved with the sport and to campaign a racehorse. Dogwood Stable will be offering smaller ownership units.

"We're going to do four things, we're going to offer more units, we're going to continue to offer our four share partnerships; we'll also be offering eight share partnerships and have more units available," said Dogwood Stable President Cot Campbell in an interview in his Aiken office Thursday afternoon. "I think the $200,000 horse of two years ago, will sell for $125,000. I'm going to try to buy the same horse for 60 to 70 cents on the dollar. We're going to watch the maintenance charges like a hawk. The trainers are going to charge less to condition the horses, and the veterinarians are going to charge less to treat them. We're going to buy the horses for less money, and mark them up less. I think this is the time when it's being said, everybody has to make less money, and we're willing to make less money."

Several Dogwood Stable runners have enjoyed success recently, including the bay gelding Skywire, who broke his maiden Jan. 30 at Turfway Park.

Slambino placed second in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race on the turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 29, while multiple graded stakes-placed Blackberry Road placed second in a 1 mile and 40 yard-allowance race at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 5.

"Slambino ran well; he runs in a stakes race on Feb. 21, the Mac Diarmida (Gulfstream Park), and it will be interesting to see him try 1 3/8 miles," said Campbell. "Lime Rickey runs in the Hallandale Beach Stakes on Feb. 14."

1/30/2009 - The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame will have a new inductee. Midshipman, who won the Eclipse Award as the outstanding 2-year-old colt Monday evening, will become the 39th champion to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The chestnut colt was named the 2008 Aiken-Trained Horse of the Year.

Midshipman will be honored during a ceremony on March 15 at the Hall of Fame at 12:30 p.m., and is the first horse to be honored since Dogwood Stable's Storm Song in 1996.

The son of Unbridled's Song, was bred by Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable, and his first two victories came while racing in the Stonerside Stable silks. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley Stable purchased Stonerside on Sept. 1.

Midshipman won his first race at Del Mar on Aug. 17, 2008 and followed that performance with a victory in the 7-furlong Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 3, 2008.

However, it was Midshipman's performance in the 1 1/16-mile Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park that stamped the colt as the best of his generation and the early favorite for the 135th edition of the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum Brands! Three-time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Bob Baffert conditioned the chestnut colt during his juvenile campaign. Midshipman has been transferred to the Maktoum family's Godolphin division and is now being trained by Saeed bin Suroor.

"(Midshipman) had an outstanding year," said Lisa Hall, City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism department Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum program supervisor. "There were other good horses, but by his wining the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he was a natural selection. Midshipman's induction is the first since Storm Song. I'm ecstatic about it."

This is the fourth Aiken-Trained Horse of the Year bred by the McNairs, who were finalists for an Eclipse Award for the outstanding breeder and finished second in the voting.

"We're very excited about having a horse being inducted into the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum," said John Adger, consultant for Darley at Stonerside. "We've had three previous Aiken-Trained Horses of the Year -- Congaree (2002), Bob and John (2006) and Country Star (2007). This is really special to have a horse being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hopefully, Midshipman will come back to the United States and run in the Classics for Sheikh Mohammed."

Midshipman is the fourth Aiken-Trained Horse of the Year conditioned by Darley at Stonerside trainer Tim Jones.

"We are very pleased to be a part of Midshipman's career, and we're fortunate to be around such nice horses," said Jones.

Midshipman, from four starts, has three wins, two in Grade 1 stakes races and one second (in the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes), and has earned $1,380,200.

1/30/2009 - Godolphin's Midshipman received the highweight assignment of 126 pounds on the 2008 Experimental Free Handicap that was released Thursday by The Jockey Club, according to the Thoroughbred Times.

Another horse bred by Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable, Gold Ember, won a 6-furlong race last Sunday at Oaklawn Park. The son of Mutakddim was trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker. The chestnut gelding races in the silks of Maggi Moss and is conditioned by Chris Richard.

"We were able to break his maiden, and he's been pretty consistent," said Richard. "With the exception of his last start, he's been first, second or third at this level. He's hard knocking, pretty honest and he tries hard. We'll probably start him next in a nonwinners of three for $15,000."

Dogwood Stable's president Cot Campbell presented the Eclipse Awards for outstanding Older Male and outstanding Older Female, with TOBA chairman Reynolds Bell. Dogwood won Eclipse Awards in 1987 with Inlander (GB) and 1996 with Storm Song.

"We've won a couple of them, but it's been a long time in between drinks. We're ready for another one, but we're not in the running tonight," said Campbell, Monday night in Miami. "It's great to be here. It's like the Academy Awards. It brings all of the industry together. It's a very important event. I'm thrilled to be here. I'm doing the presentation for the Older Male, and I'm well qualified because I'm an older male."

1/27-2009 - MIAMI, Fla.- Godolphin's Midshipman is the first Eclipse Award winner to have been broken and trained in Aiken in 12 years, and the 39th champion to have trained over the hallowed grounds of the Aiken Training Track.

Midshipman established himself as the best of his generation with an impressive victory in the 1 1/16-mile Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Oct. 25 at Santa Anita Park and was recognized Monday evening at the 38th Eclipse Awards at the Fontainbleau Hotel and Resort in Miami Beach as the Outstanding 2-year-old colt.

"On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, it's a great pleasure to accept the award for Darley," said John Adger, consultant for Darley at Stonerside and representative of Darley USA, while addressing the audience. "I'm so proud of Bob Baffert. He's been a great trainer over the years. I want to thank the two jockeys - Garrett Gomez, who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and Tyler Baze, who won the Del Mar Futurity."

The son of Grade 1 winner Unbridled's Song, Midshipman was bred by Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stables and was broken and trained by Tim Jones in Aiken.

The last horse to receive an Eclipse Award and to have been broken and trained over the Aiken Training Track was Dogwood Stable's Storm Song, who was named the outstanding 2-year-old filly in 1996.

With his victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Midshipman has stamped himself as the early race favorite for the 135th edition of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum Brands!

"This is a culmination of 14 years of being with the McNairs. We're extremely excited about being nominated, and we're flattered by the fact that they thought enough of us to be a finalist," said Adger, prior to the awards ceremony. "We're appreciative of that."

The chestnut colt is out of the Avenue of Flags broodmare and multiple graded stakes winner Fleet Lady, and Midshipman is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Fast Cookie.

Midshipman broke his maiden in his racing debut on Aug. 17 at 5¬½ furlongs at Del Mar and followed that victory by winning the 7-furlong Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 3. Stonerside Stable sold the majority of their assets, including their farm in Paris, Ky., and their training barns in Aiken to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's Darley Stable on Sept. 1.

Midshipman's first two victories came while racing in the colors of Stonerside. He placed second in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita Park, his last race prior to his Breeders' Cup victory. All of the colt's races have been over synthetic surfaces.

After Stonerside's sale to Darley Stable in September, Midshipman raced in the maroon and white silks of Darley Stable while winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He was conditioned by Baffert, a three-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, and has since been transferred to Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin division, having left for Dubai on Dec. 15. He is now in the barn of trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

The Kentucky-bred colt became the second Breeders' Cup winner sired by Unbridled's Song, who won the 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and who also sired Unbridled Elaine, who won the 2001 Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Stonerside bred Raven's Pass, who won the Breeders' Cup Classic. The 3-year-old male finalist spent three weeks in Aiken, where he was trained by Jones.

"We are very proud and pleased to be a part of Midshipman's career, and we're fortunate to be around such nice horses," said Jones.

1/22/2009 - Dogwood Stable's Atoned seeks to score his second consecutive stakes win Saturday in the 1 1/8 mile OBS Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old son of multiple graded stakes winning millionaire Repent won the Grade Three 1 1/8 miles Pegasus Stakes on Oct. 24 at the Meadowlands in his last start.

The Todd Pletcher charge will have Chris DeCarlo in the irons. DeCarlo guided the son of Repent to victory in his last start as a 3-year-old. It was DeCarlo who piloted Atoned to his first stakes victory during his juvenile campaign in the Continental Mile at Monmouth Park on Aug. 18, 2007, and the consistent combination placed second on the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company graduate in the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park on Oct. 20, 2007.

"Chris DeCarlo will ride Atoned and is anxious to do it," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president in a press release. "Chris is due to have minor shoulder surgery and opted to wait until after this race if we would commit to riding him. No one has better record on Atoned, and we're delighted to have such an enthusiastic pilot. It's a big race, and we hope there is a big year ahead. The horse seems to have matured well from his sophomore year. If that is so, he will be dangerous."

Atoned has made 15 starts, scoring three wins, placing second seven times, six of those in stakes, en route to bankrolling $436,257.

1/19/2009 - Sam Kassin and Eli Gindi's Fast Tigress, an Aiken Trials alumnus, used a late rally to defeat her rivals by a neck in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on the turf Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

The chestnut daughter of Hold That Tiger was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. Fast Tigress is conditioned by John Kimmel.

"She's very professional and came out of the race in great shape," said Kimmel. "We're pointing her toward the Coconut Grove Stakes, a race for 3-year-old fillies, on Feb. 15 at Gulfstream Park."

Stakes-placed Ling Ling Qi collared pacesetter Fidello in deep stretch to win a 7-furlong allowance race Friday by a neck at Gulfstream Park. The 4-year-old son of Grade 1 winner Yonaguska races in the silks of Lansdon Robbins III and is conditioned by Kenny McPeek. Ling Ling Qi was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Darley Stable's Becky's Express won a 1-mile race Thursday at the Fair Grounds. The Mike Stidham-charge won easily as he set the fractions for most of the race, and drew off to win handily by six lengths. The son of Congaree, the 2002 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, is one of five winning horses that ran in last year's The Coward Trophy. In addition to Becky's Express, graded stakes winner Screen Your Friend, stakes winner Citizen, track record setter Kickapoo and Scooter Rat also contested the race during last year's Aiken Trials. Becky's Express was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Country Star, the 2007 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, placed second in the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile El Encino Stakes Sunday at Santa Anita Park. The daughter of Classic winner Empire Maker held the lead into the stretch before yielding to the eventual winner, Life is Sweet. Country Star races in the silks of Darley Stable, is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Dogwood Stable's Lime Rickey made a bold move and closed strongly to just miss by a neck in the 1-mile Dania Beach Stakes on the turf Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The son of Classic winner and champion Lemon Drop Kid made his stakes debut. Lime Rickey is trained by Frank Alexander and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Multiple stakes-placed Blackberry Road returned to the races Sunday and placed second in a 6-furlong allowance race at the Fair Grounds. The son of Gone West races in the colors of Dogwood Stable and is conditioned by Dallas Stewart. Blackberry Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Weekend Strike placed second in the 1-mile Sweetest Chant Stakes on the turf Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old filly is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Stakes winner Spritley finished third in the Affectionately Stakes Sunday at Aqueduct. Spritley was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

1/17/2009 - Succumbing is a word that's definitely not in Rutledge Prince's vocabulary.

The gelded son of Grade 1 winner Tapit won his debut by a neck as he battled adversity to defeat his rivals in a 7-furlong Maiden Special Weight race at Charles Town on Jan. 11.

Rutledge Prince is owned by Hermen Greenberg, is conditioned by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

He first arrived in Aiken on Oct. 17, 2007. A lameness exam was conducted Nov. 3. He was gelded on Nov. 12, and the altered male was shipped out to Rutledge Farm in Virginia on Nov. 24.

"His (Mr. Greenberg's) thinking was from his X-rays, he probably would not have a bright future," said Stevens. "It was just as easy to make a gelding out of him. We thought he would be a giveaway and that somebody would want to give him a good home.

If the gray gelding was able to read and determine the diagnosis from his X-rays, he may not have ever set foot on the racetrack.

The gelding has good conformation but sustained an injured hock at a young age, said Stevens. The hock didn't reduce in size.

"The hock had a lot of changes in it - calcification, a big spur, one part of the joint fused together," said Stevens. "And to this day, he walks with it a little bit stiffer than the other hock, but he jogs sound, he gallops sound, he breezes sound and he wins."

A new hotel built near the racetrack in Charles Town proved to be a distraction for Rutledge Prince.

Not only did he battle back in the stretch to nail Slick Talking in the final strides, but he also seemed to be looking for someone in one of the rooms in the new building. When he turned his head, the other horse went by before he regained the lead, the jockey told Stevens.

1/15/2009 - She has a lightning quick turn off foot and exploded onto the scene with an impressive 8 3/4 length victory in her debut June 20 in a 4 1/2 furlong Maiden Special Weight contest at Prairie Meadows. Helen Andrews' Prairie Blues was anything but melancholy, easily defeating the competition in both of her starts during her juvenile campaign.

Her second win against stakes competition was equally impressive, soundly defeating her rivals in the 6-furlong Iowa Sorority Stakes on Aug. 23 by 2 3/4 lengths, a race also held at the Altoona, Iowa based track.

Prairie Blues was named the 2008 Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association 2-Year-Old Filly champion at the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association banquet, Jan. 10, in Johnston, Iowa. The bay filly is by Rossini, the 2000 3-Year-Old champion Colt in Ireland, and is out of the Capote broodmare Babai Blues. She is conditioned by Anne Mitchell Pezzano and was broken and trained in Aiken. The stakes-winning filly was purchased for $8,000 at the 2006 Keeneland Association November Breeding Stock Sale. She has bankrolled $66,470.

Savanna Rowe, a college student, whom Bill and Anne Mitchell Pezzano sponsored at Prairie Meadows Youth Days two years ago when she was a hot walker for the trainers, accepted the award, and was most gracious in doing so, said Mitchell Pezzano.

"We talked to her on Sunday (Jan. 11), and they played a videotape that showed Helen Andrews and the filly's races," said Mitchell Pezzano. "She's (Savanna) very tall and poised."

Rowe, who won a scholarship and goes to college in Iowa, attended the ITBOA ceremony with her family in place of Andrews and the Pezzanos, said Mitchell Pezzano.

"The big trophy was shipped to Helen Andrews, and Savanna will give us the Trainers Trophy in April," said Mitchell Pezzano. "Savanna has arranged her school schedule so she'll be able to walk hots for us this summer."

1/11/2009 - Robert and Janice McNair's Cowboy Cal has a penchant for performing in January, winning the Grade 3 Tropical Park Derby on the turf at Calder Race Course on New Year's day in 2008.

His 2009 debut on the all-weather surface at Santa Anita Park on Saturday was just as successful as the son of Giant Causeway got up at the wire to win by a nose, and survived a claim of foul to take the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 San Pasqual Handicap.

The Todd Pletcher-charge was bred by Stonerside Stable, broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones and has now bankrolled $597,708.

Trainer Steve Penrod was in Aiken this weekend, and the conditioner of stakes winners Sintra, Country Light, Narrate and Flatter reflected about his time training horses at the Aiken Training Track.

"I don't have horses here anymore, but I come to Aiken at every opportunity I get," said Penrod. "I really love Aiken, and it's a very unique place. It has a special meaning to me. Aiken is a great place to have horses in the winter."

Manchester Farm's Flying Spur set the early fractions, battled back and drew off to break her maiden by 2 lengths in a 1-mile race last Monday at the Fair Grounds. The 3-year-old daughter of Giant's Causeway is trained by Bill Mott and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Dance Tale unleashed a furious assault, closing strongly to draw off and break her maiden by 2 lengths in a 6-furlong race at Aqueduct. The 3-year-old filly is conditioned by Kiaran McLaughlin and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Miles Childers and L.T.B. Inc.'s Cool Hero held off his rival after leading most of the race, winning a 5-½-furlong contest on the turf Saturday at the Fair Grounds. The Florida-bred gelded son of Montbrook is conditioned by Bernard Flint and was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

Lansdon Robbins III's Scooter Rat, who finished second in the 2008 The Coward Trophy, broke his maiden by 3 lengths in a 6-furlong race Wednesday at Aqueduct. The James Jerkens-charge was broken and trained by Stevens.

Another Aiken Trials's alumus, Darley Stable's Sea Chanter, placed second Sunday by a neck in the 1 1/16-mile Marshua's River Stakes on the turf at Gulfstream Park.

Sea Chanter was broken and trained in Aiken by Jones.

1/10/2009 - Godolphin Stable's Midshipman highlights a field of local connections who are Eclipse Award finalists. The award winners will be announced on Monday, Jan. 26 in Miami, Fla.

Midshipman, the winner of the 2008 Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile, raced in the silks of Darley Stable, is owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and was bred by Robert and Janice McNair's Stonerside Stable.

The Kentucky-bred colt is a finalist in the 2-year-old colt and gelding category. The son of Unbridled's Song was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones. Godolphin is a finalist in the owner category.

The last Aiken-trained horse to win an Eclipse Award was Dogwood Stable's Storm Song, who was named the top 2-year-old filly in 1996.

Multiple graded stakes winner Eight Belles is a finalist in the 3-year-old filly category. The daughter of Grade 1 winner Unbridled's Song won the Martha Washington Stakes, Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes and Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes and was trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

She placed second in the 134th Kentucky Derby prior to her ill-fated death after the completion of the race.

"I thought she proved to be one of the top fillies, and she beat many of the top 3-year-old colts (in the Kentucky Derby), and her performance stamped her as one of the year's top 3-year-old fillies," said Stevens. "She definitely deserves consideration as one of the top 3-year-old fillies of her generation."

Stonerside Stable-bred Raven's Pass, the son of 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Elusive Quality, is a finalist in the 3-year-old colt category.

Stonerside Stable is a finalist in the top breeder category.

"Being a finalist means everything to me. It validates what we've been doing for the past 15 years," said John Adger, Stonerside racing and bloodstock manager. "We won the two most important races on Breeders' Cup day. Being a finalist as the leading breeder is icing on the cake. We're very fortunate to have owners like the McNairs."

1/6/2009 - Dogwood Stable's graded stakes winner Vicarage will stand the 2009 breeding season at George Seturidze's Kulari Farm in the Republic of Georgia, according to The Blood-Horse.

Vicarage is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Cotton Blossom and retired with earnings of $446,002.

Serious Fever lived up to his name, setting feverish fractions in wiring the field Wednesday at Aqueduct in a 6-furlong contest.

The Virginia-bred son of Stormin Fever broke from the extreme outside post and won by a neck. The 5-year-old Anthony Dutrow charge races in the silks of Spring Hill Farm and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's Light Green set the pace and broke her maiden in a 6-furlong race Sunday at Gulfstream Park by three-quarters of a length. The 3-year-old daughter of the 2003 Breeders' Cup winner Pleasantly Perfect is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained by Stevens.

Dogwood Plantation's Thalian Hall came from off the pace and drew clear of his rivals to win a 7-furlong race Friday at Tampa Bay Downs. The 6-year-old gelded son of champion Theatrical (IRE) is trained by Thomas Proctor. Thalian Hall was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stables.

Rutledge Farm's Mighty Slew made a move in deep stretch and drew off to a 1¾-length victory Sunday to break his maiden in a 7-furlong contest at Charles Town. The winner is trained by Jeff Runco and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens. P. Kerney, who holds the track record for 7 furlongs, was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Lee Christian's St. John's Gold won a 6¬½-furlong allowance race Tuesday at Philadelphia Park, getting up at the wire to defeat his rival by a head. The 3-year-old gelded son of Activist, won the Christopher Elser Memorial Stakes in December.

Multiple stakes winner Intentional Fever placed second Thursday in the 6-furlong Interborough Handicap at Aqueduct. The 5-year-old daughter of Stormin Fever was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Another Spring Hill runner placed second in the 1-mile-and-70-yard Restored Hope Stakes Friday at Aqueduct. Honey Bee Stakes winner Spritely held the lead into the deep stretch before being collared by the eventual winner. Spritely was trained in Aiken by Stevens.

01/03/2009 -She possesses all of the attributes you would expect to find in a great athlete, a huge heart, a determination and willingness that can't be tangibly measured, and she's demonstrated a level of consistency found only in those special performers who are able to take their game to another level.

Linda's Lace seems to be getting better with age. The 6 year old mare made 7 starts in 2008, and was in the money 6 times, The Bob Zahl charge also won her first stakes race during her 5 year old campaign, establishing a new stakes record in the 1 1/16 miles Frances Slocum Stakes, Nov. 22 at Hoosier Park, under the confident handling of jockey Leandro Goncalves, who rated the mare behind the pace before making her move, as she uncoiled a powerful turn of foot late to score a 1 1/4-length victory. Goncalves has been in the irons on the dark bay mare in all of her last five starts.

"We're really happy." said Zahl, in an interview Wednesday at the Sugar Magnolia Cafe. "She's a nice filly, and she never gets beaten by very much. She's always within striking distance."

Zahl broke, trained and conditioned the horse over the Aiken Training Track, and rider Bo Burns has played a critical role in the mare's development. Linda's Lace has made 22 starts, and has only been off the board 5 times during her career.

"I own her, train her, and I know exactly when she's peaking," said Zahl, who seems to have an intuitive sense when reading through the condition books, and selecting what races are best suited for the mare.

Linda's Lace placed third in the 6 furlong Merrillville Stakes over an off track at Hoosier Park on Oct. 24. She had also placed third in the slop at Indiana Downs on July 4 in the 1 1/16 miles Florence Henderson Stakes. It was during her 4 year old campaign that Zahl could see her mature into a stakes caliber performer, and began pointing Linda's Lace toward stakes races. She also finished 2nd in the Merrillville Stakes at age 4.

"Aiken is a great place to break and train horses," said Zahl, who worked for Mike Freeman, Sally Cluff and the late Bobby Dotter, and has been training horses on his own for the past 25 years. "The training track has a good surface, and there's plenty of good food and water. We have a good facility, with the mile track and 5/8 mile track. It's a good place to get the horses relaxed and properly prepared."

The mare is an Indiana-bred and was bred by Randy Haffner, Zahl's late brother, Buzz Zahl, was responsible for breeding the Nostrum broodmare Rosie's Lace to Marshall Lamb's Aiken-based stallion Is Sveikatis, who stands at Lamb's Outaways Farm.

"I'm hoping now we'll be able to get some more good mares to him," said Lamb. "Bobby's mare is the nicest mare we've bred."

Linda's Lace has demonstrated her penchant for the turf and is 4 for 5 on the grass. She has made all 22 of her lifetime starts in Indiana.

It was an inauspicious beginning as she placed 6th in her first start on June 13, 2006 during her sophomore campaign, but would break her maiden convincingly in her second start, winning by 4 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs at Hoosier Park on Sept. 3, 2006. She would score consecutive wins in her next two starts, both in allowance company.

"She's only 5 years old, and she's going to be 6, and she's lightly raced," said Zahl, who believes he has found the right jockey in Goncalves who compliments her running style. "She's just basically finding out what it's all about right now. She's an extremely good closing horse, she likes to relax and come from off the pace."

Linda's Lace from 22 lifetime starts, has 6 wins, placed 2nd 9 times, and has finished 3rd twice, en route to bankrolling $160,989.