7/18/2010 - A colt who was attracting a lot of attention from a very young age is living up to his billing. Trappe Shot is more than just a well-balanced, correct looking individual. He's now a stakes winner who's reeled off four consecutive victories.

Cary and Tim Frommer consigned the chestnut colt as part of the Hobeau Farm dispersal at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic two-year-olds-in-training sale. Trappe Shot, a son of Grade 1 winner Tapit and out of the Private Account broodmare Shopping, established a new auction record at the sale, selling for $850,000.

"Everybody who was around him could tell he was a standout, could tell he was special, and that's why he brought so much at the sale," said Cary Frommer. "He wasn't a secret by any means."

Trappe Shot was purchased by Steve Young as agent for Mill House and made his debut last summer at Saratoga, the only time he hasn't finished in the money, placing fifth July 29.

The chestnut colt's sophomore year has been anything short of spectacular, breaking his maiden last winter at Gulfstream Park by capturing a six-furlong race by 10 1/4 lengths on Feb. 21. In his next start, he was even more impressive, winning a 6 1/2-furlong race by 12 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park on March 21.

The three-year-old stretched out at 7 furlongs in his next start at Belmont Park on June 5 and won by 4 lengths.

His performance in the 1 1/16-mile Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 10 seemed to remove any doubts from even the most cynical of handicappers. After stumbling at the start of the race, Trappe Shot rallied to win by a 2 1/2-length margin, earning a spot in the Izod Haskell Invitational on Aug. 1 at Monmouth Park. Trappe Shot has been ridden by Alan Garcia in all five of his starts. The Florida-bred colt has won four races in five starts and has lifetime earnings of $187,050.

Trappe Shot has drawn high praise from his trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, said Frommer.

"I know that Kiaran said that he's one of the top three horses that he's ever trained, with the others being Henny Hughes and Invasor (ARG)," said Frommer. "He thinks he's going to be right there at that level."

7/18/2010 - Dogwood Stable intends to make its presence felt at the upcoming Saratoga race meet which starts this week.

Grade 3 winner Lou Brissie will make his next start in the six-furlong Grade 2 Sanford on July 25. The son of Limehouse, the 2005 Aiken-trained Horse of the Year, is conditioned by Neil Howard and won the Grade 3 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes before placing second in his last start - the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs on July 3.

"We're not looking to tackle that horse Kantharos (who finished 9-½ lengths in front of Lou Brissie in the Bashford Manor)," said Dogwood Stable president Cot Campbell in an interview on Thursday. "There's the possibility we might run a three-part entry in the Sanford - Lou Brissie, Blue Right By and Firepole. I think we'll save a horse for the Aug. 16 Saratoga Special."

The triumvirate of juvenile runners provides Dogwood Stable with a great deal of depth in its 2-year-old division.

"I think with Lou Brissie, the longer the races get, that's going to be his game," said Campbell. "I think he's going to be pretty tough in a race like the Breeders' Futurity (in October at Keeneland), going a mile and a-sixteenth. I used to have a business partner who liked the saying, 'There are bigger fish in the sea than there have ever been caught.' We're beginning to see that more as the top 2-year-olds are starting to emerge in the division."

Graded stakes winner Atoned will return in the James Marvin Stakes on Friday, the opening day at Saratoga, and Aikenite is being pointed toward the 1âÖõ-mile Grade 2 $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes on July 31, said Campbell.

"Ziegfield will return early in the meeting, and Barge's next race will be in a turf sprint," he said. "We expect to have a good meet at Saratoga. We've expected it before, and it didn't happen. I do expect it (to happen this year)."

Dogwood Stable was also very active at the Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale first session, July 13 in Lexington, Ky. They purchased three horses, all by sires who won Grade 1 races and all whose first foals are yearlings of 2010.

They purchased a chestnut filly by Discreet Cat from the consignment of Michael and Julia O'Quinn for $160,000, a chestnut colt by Hard Spun for $100,000 from the consignment of Bluewater Sales LLC. and another chestnut colt by Corinthian from Eaton Sales for $80,000. Discreet Cat and Hard Spun are sires who stand at Darley's stallion operation in Lexington, Ky.

"They were three of the most stylish new sires available," said Campbell. "They were good looking individuals. We try to buy horses that are good looking and have some blood behind them, and these did."

7/18/2010 - Robert Zahl's Linda's Lace may be seven years old, but the Thoroughbred mare isn't letting her age get in the way of outperforming her younger rivals. The veteran campaigner uncoiled a powerful turn of foot coming from off the pace with a strong closing kick to place second by a neck Tuesday in the seventh running of the 1 1/16-mile Florence Henderson Stakes on the turf at Indiana Downs.

The daughter of Marshall Lamb's stallion is Sveikatis, who stands in Aiken at Lamb's Outaways Farm, won the 2009 Frances Slocum Stakes and placed second in the 2009 edition of the Florence Henderson Stakes.

Glenn Thompson and James Hackman's Two Notch Road placed fourth in the 1 1/4-mile Grade 2 Virginia Derby on the turf Saturday at Colonial Downs. The gelded son of Partner's Hero set the pace along the rail into the upper stretch before giving way to eventual winner Paddy O'Prado.

Oren's Star, who broke his maiden in his racing debut on July 3 for trainer Ron Grieves at Northlands Park, winning a 5 1/2-furlong race by 4 1/2-lengths, placed fourth in the six-furlong Edmonton Juvenile Stakes Saturday at Northlands Park. A juvenile son of the 1997 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter Smoke Glacken, Oren's Star was bred by the Palmetto Thoroughbred Training Center's Doris Tummillo.

"We did the ground work and prepped him for the yearling sale," said Tummillo. "He could run like a fool. He was really fast."

*Spring Hill Farm's Pleasant Strike, winner of the 2007 Arlington Classic and 2009 D.G. Van Clief Stakes, placed fourth in the 1 1/16-mile Kitten's Joy Stakes on the turf Saturday at Colonial Downs. The six-year-old, dark bay horse is conditioned by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

7/12/2010 - Doug Cowans' No Garlic is two-for-two in his short career. Breaking his maiden on June 6, the juvenile bay colt won his first stakes race by wiring the field the 5 1/2-furlong Hoover Stakes Saturday at River Downs, winning by 3 1/4 lengths. Fairwinds Farm and Michael and Corrado Ng's Rockwell Torrey placed second. Both No Garlic and Rockwell Torrey were broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Mill House's Trappe Shot earned a trip to the Izod Haskell Invitational on Aug. 1 by winning the 1 1/16-mile Long Branch Stakes Saturday at Monmouth Park by 2 1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old Florida-bred son of Grade One winner Tapit repulsed the bid of his rival Nacho Friend in the stretch before drawing away. The chestnut colt is conditioned by Kiaran McLaughlin.

The colt established a record for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale at the 2009 auction. Trappe Shot sold for $850,000 and was purchased from the consignment of Cary Frommer, who was acting as agent for Jack Dreyfus' Hobeau Farm dispersal. Trappe Shot increased his lifetime earnings to $187,050 with the victory.

Spring Hill Farm's Elusive Gift won his second stakes of 2010 posting a 4 1/4-length victory in the 5-furlong Punch Line Stakes on the turf Saturday at Colonial Downs. The Anthony Dutrow charge had won the John D. Marsh Stakes earlier in the year. The 5-year-old gelding, a half-brother to Grade One winner Christmas Kid, was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

L.T.B. Inc. and Naveed Chowran's Citizen won a 6-furlong race Saturday at Indiana Downs. The 4-year-old stakes winning gelding and Aiken Trials alumnus is conditioned by Bernard Flint and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Darley Stable's Sangaree, who won the Joe Hernandez and placed second in the Grade Two Mervyn Leroy and Grade Two Californian placed second in the 7-furlong Grade One Triple Bend Handicap at Hollywood Park. The chestnut son of the 2002 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Congaree is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

The 2009 New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year, Way With Words, who won the Open Mind Stakes June 11 and the Blue Sparkler on June 27, finished third in the 1-mile-and-70-yard Spruce Fir Handicap Sunday at Monmouth Park. Mary Eppler conditions the mare that trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Prominent veterinarian Dr.William Wright, died Saturday at age 95 in Chesapeake City, Md. He wintered in Aiken for a number of years.

7/4/2010 - Barbara Johnson's homebred That's a Heckof-acat won the Cleveland Gold Cup Stakes Saturday at Thistledown by 2 1/4 lengths. The chestnut gelding is conditioned by Doug Cowans and was trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

"He came back from double knee surgery," said Tucker, in a phone interview Sunday afternoon. "Last winter, he rehabbed off of the surgery in Aiken. We legged him up and shipped him up to Doug Cowans after the (Aiken) Trials. Not only is the Aiken Training Track surface good for breaking babies, it's good for rehabbing horses as well. He's a good looking horse, who was a pistol of a horse to train. He's turned into a nice horse. I'm happy for Doug Cowans and Barbara Johnson."

Kim and Lori Williams, who bred Wire To Wire's stakes winner Busha', who has yet to run out of the money, finished third in the race, was also trained in Aiken by Tucker.

"Busha's been really consistent," said Tucker.

Dogwood Stable's Lou Brissie, winner of the Grade 3 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes in April, closed strongly to place second to eventual winner Kantharos, who stumbled at the start only to win going away by 9 1/2 lengths, Saturday in the 6-furlong Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The Neil Howard charge increased his lifetime earnings to $119,810. Lou Brissie, a son of the 2005 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Limehouse, was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Brother Bird, who was purchased from Aiken-based consignor Cary Frommer at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, broke his maiden in a 1-mile race Saturday at Belmont Park, winning by 4 lengths. The dark bay colt is a half-brother to the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and is trained by 4-time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher.

Upperline collared Chantilly Nayla entering the stretch and then drew off to win the 1 1/8-mile Grade 3 Arlington Oaks Saturday at Arlington Park by 4 3/4 lengths. The 3-year-old filly, who placed fifth in her last start the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes on April 3, had no problem with the Polytrack Elite surface. The bay filly is by the 1995 Eclipse Award 2-Year-Old Male champion Maria's Mon and is owned by Stone Farm, John Adger, Oakcrest Farm and Mike Stidham, who also trains the horse. Upperline was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. The filly increased her lifetime earnings to $165,387.

"We were all extremely happy with the way she ran," said Adger, in a phone interview Sunday afternoon. "After she ran in the Ashland, we sent her to Arthur Hancock's Stone Farm to give her a little break. Mike Stidham and Hillary Pridham did an incredible job in getting her ready after having the time off. It's been her best race to date. In talking with Mike Stidham this morning, he said her next start will probably be the Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes on the grass in September."

7/2/2010 - Ziba Graham's homebred Festive Girl, an Aiken Trials alumnus, had a furious rally that saw the bay filly get up in the final strides to win the Cincinnatian Stakes Sunday by 1 1/4-lengths over an off track at River Downs. The daughter of Habayeb was ridden by Dean Sarvis to victory, and is conditioned by William Cowans. Festive Girl had placed in the state restricted Glacial Princess Stakes at Beulah Park last November during her juvenile campaign, and increased her lifetime bankroll to $55,860 with the victory.

Kelly Tucker broke and trained the 3-year-old Ohio-bred filly over the Aiken Training Track.

"I'm really happy for Ziba Graham and his family," said Tucker, in a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. "He's in his eighties. She trained well as a 2-year-old, and she's been better as a 3-year-old. She looks like a million bucks."

The Graham, Cowans and Tucker combination also struck the day before at River Downs in a 5-furlong race as No Garlic, Festive Girl's full-brother, wired the field, breaking his maiden at first asking, winning by 1 1/2-lengths. The juvenile son of Habayeb was also bred by Graham.

Edward Evans' Spring Hill Farm's A Little Warm made a scorching return Tuesday after a 93-day lay-off winning a 11/16-miles allowance race at Delaware Park by 21/4-lengths. The 3-year-old colt won the Spectacular Bid Stakes in January at Gulfstream Park. He had placed second in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in his last start. A Little Warm increased his lifetime earnings to $308,880.

"We're thinking about the Jim Dandy, it's what Mr. Evans is most happy with right now," said trainer Richard Dutrow, in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. "I was like most people, very fortunate to have witnessed a special performance. I'm very impressed with him. I'm very happy to have a horse like that under my care."

Dogwood Stable's graded stakes winner Lou Brissie returns Saturday in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs. He will carry 122 pounds, in the field of 6 entries, and will break from post position five. The son of the 2005 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Limehouse will have Corey Lanerie in the irons and is the 7-to-5 second choice in the morning line. Lou Brissie is trained by Neil Howard and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Gustav Schickedanz's Zarroc, will contest the 1 1/2-miles Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes on the turf Sunday at Woodbine. The 5-year-old gelding will break from post position five, and will carry 118 pounds. Zarroc is conditioned by Mike Keogh.

Stone Farm, John Adger, Oakcrest and Mike Stidham's Upperline returns Saturday in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 3 Arlington Oaks at Arlington Park. The 3-year-old filly drew the rail. Upperline was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Darley's Olly Tait will relocate to Newmarket, England from Lexington, Ky., but will continue in the same capacity as Darley America's chief operating officer, according to the "Blood-Horse."

6/28/2010 - Spring Hill Farm completed a stakes sweep Saturday as Malibu Prayer added to her already impressive resume by winning the 1 1/16-mile Lighthouse Stakes at Monmouth Park by a 4 1/2-length margin. The 4-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon was sent off as the 8-5 second choice in the wagering and was piloted to victory by two-time Eclipse Award winning jockey Garrett Gomez. The bay filly set the pace early before deciding to save ground, and would then assert herself coming into the final turn before drawing off to win convincingly. Malibu Prayer is trained by Todd Pletcher and increased her lifetime bankroll to $408,026. The filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Track record setter Giant Mover, who also races in the colors of Spring Hill Farm, was sent off as the overwhelming 3-5 favorite, and annihilated the field in the 1-mile Brookmeade Stakes at Colonial Downs as the chestnut filly won by daylight scoring a 7 1/4-length victory over the inner turf course. Jockey Horacio Karamanos was in the irons on the Todd Pletcher charge, who set the fractions throughout the majority of the race before drawing off to win. It was the daughter of Giant Causeway's first stakes victory and increased her lifetime earnings to $137,313. The Virginia-bred filly was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Peter Schiff's Fox Ridge Farm's Yield Bogey collared the leader Affirmatif in deep stretch to win a 6-furlong race on the turf Friday at Belmont Park. The gelded son of the 1996 Sovereign Award winning Sprinter Langfuhr got up in the final strides to win by a half-length. The Pat Kelly charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff, and was later trained in Aiken by Suzy Halsup. Yield Bogey paid $38.20 to win.

Gustav Schickedanz's and D. Howard's Mobil Unit won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race Thursday at Woodbine by 1 1/4 lengths. The gelded son of millionaire stakes winner Mobil is trained by Mike Keogh, and was broken and trained by Keogh over the Aiken Training Track.

Darley's Kiawah Cat wired the field in a 1 1/4-mile allowance race on the inner turf track Friday at Belmont Park, winning by 1 3/4-lengths. The 4-year-old daughter of the 2000 Eclipse Award winning Older Male Lemon Drop Kid is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dolly Bostwicks' Tic Tac Man broke his maiden his first time out getting up in the final strides to win a 4 1/2-furlong race by a neck Friday at Charles Town Races and Slots. The Florida-bred chestnut son of Put It Back is conditioned by Tim Grams.

Darley's chief operating officer, Olly Tait, was profiled by The Thoroughbred Times as one of Racing's 40 Future Leaders under the age of 40.

Spring Hill Farm's A Little Warm, who won the Spectacular Bid Stakes in January, has been entered in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race at Delaware Park on June 29, according to "The Blood-Horse."

6/26/2010 - A pair of Spring Hill homebred fillies return to action today in stakes company: Grade 2 winner Malibu Prayer in the 1 1/16-miles Lighthouse Stakes at Monmouth Park and track-record setter Giant Mover in the 1-mile Brookmeade Stakes on the inner turf at Colonial Downs. Both horses were broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens, and are currently conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher.

Malibu Prayer, who won the Grade 2 Chilukki Stakes last Nov. 7 at Churchill Downs as well as the Cat Chat Stakes last September at Belmont Park, drew post position No. 1 and is 7-2 in the morning line. The 4-year-old bay filly will have two-time Eclipse Award winner Garrett Gomez in the irons. Malibu Prayer, who placed second in the Grade 1 Mother Goose during her sophomore campaign, has bankrolled $353,026.

Giant Mover was made the morning line favorite in the state restricted Brookmeade Stakes being held at odds of 4-5. The daughter of the 2000 European Horse of the Year Giant’s Causeway set a track record for 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 16, 2009 at Monmouth Park covering the nine furlongs in a time of 1:46.62. The chestnut filly will break from the No. 3 hole and will have jockey Horacio Karamanos in the irons. The 4-year-old’s dam is multiple graded stakes winner Gold Mover. Giant Mover will be making the second start of her 4-year-old campaign. She finished second in her 2010 debut in a 1-mile allowance race at Monmouth Park on May 23. The Virginia-bred filly has lifetime earnings of $107,313.

6/19/2010 - Dogwood Stable’s Aikenite bounced back with a strong effort scoring a 2-length victory Saturday in a 1-mile allowance race at Belmont Park.

The win was the first victory of his sophomore campaign and increased his lifetime bankroll to $332,606. The dark bay colt’s powerful finish enabled the Todd Pletcher charge to collar leader Safety Check entering the stretch and seize command to draw away under jockey David Cohen.

“The real Aikenite did not, unfortunately, show up on Preakness Day,” said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. “With his impressive performance today, Aikenite is back in the mix with the other leading 3-year-olds for a multitude of summer stakes.”

Aiken Trials alumnus Blue Right By was also a winner for Dogwood on Saturday, breaking his maiden Saturday by 2 1/2 lengths in a 5 1/2-furlong race at Churchill Downs. The juvenile son of Grade 1 winner Bluegrass Cat is trained by Dallas Stewart and is the latest 2-year-old winner for the Aiken-based stable that is already enjoying success with graded stakes winner Lou Brissie and stakes placed Firepole, who finished fourth Saturday in the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine.

Glenn Thompson and James Hackman’s Two Notch Road set the early fractions along the rail before tiring late to finish third in the 1 3/16-miles Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup Stakes Saturday at Colonial Downs. Two Notch Road increased his lifetime earnings to $180,688.

Darley’s Tizaqueena dead-heated for third in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 3 All Along Stakes on the turf Saturday at Colonial Downs. The multiple-graded stakes winner of Tiznow was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Dogwood Stable’s Barge placed second in the 5-furlong Morluc Stakes on the turf Friday at Churchill Downs.

6/13/2010 - Darley’s Sangaree was the lone bright spot of the horses who trained at the Aiken Training Track, appearing in stakes company on Saturday.

Sangaree, a 5-year-old son of the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again, closed strongly and turned back the challenge of Slew’s Tiznow to hold on for second, finishing 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner Rail Trip in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 2 Californian Stakes at Hollywood Park. Sangaree is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and increased his lifetime earnings to $227,110. He won the 6 1/2-furlong Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita Park on March 7.

Jay Em Ess’ Arson Squad, a 7-year-old gelding who has bankrolled more than $1.1 million, couldn’t replicate his earlier success this year at Churchill Downs, as a flat effort resulted in a sixth-place finish in a field of 11 in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap. The Richard Dutrow, Jr. charge was sent off as the third choice in the wagering. He had won the Grade 3 Alysheba Stakes on April 30.

Spring Hill Farm’s homebred Pleasant Strike raced close to the pace early and was never a factor in the 1 1/8-miles Monmouth Stakes on the turf at Monmouth Park. The graded stakes winning charge of Todd Pletcher finished ninth and last, after placing third in his previous start.

6/11/2010 - Jay Em Ess Stable’s Arson Squad will look to add to his growing bankroll tomorrow in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. The 7-year-old gelding won his last start the Grade 3 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on April 30th. The Pennsylvania-bred son of Brahms will break from post position 5 in the 1 1/8-miles race. Richard Dutrow Jr. conditions Arson Squad who has earned more then $1.1 million. Arson Squad won the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes during his sophomore campaign and the Grade 1 Strub Stakes as a 4-year-old. He was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens,

Spring Hill Farm’s Pleasant Strike will break from the 5-hole in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes on the turf tomorrow at Monmouth Park. The Todd Pletcher charge will have Chris DeCarlo in the irons. The 6-year-old horse, who won the Grade 3 Arlington Classic during his sophomore campaign and the D.G. Van Clief Stakes as a 5-year-old, was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Darley’s Sangaree returns in the 1 1/18-miles Grade 2 Californian at Hollywood Park. The 5-year-old son of 1998 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and will be piloted by jockey Martin Garcia. Sangaree was broken and trained in Aiken By Tim Jones.

6/7/2010 - You would think that Two Notch Road was a major thoroughfare in Oceanport, N.J.

The 3-year-old gelding, named after the road parallel to the Aiken Training Track, won his second consecutive race this spring at Monmouth Park on Sunday, and in doing so established a track record for 1 1/16 miles on the turf, covering the distance in 1:39.41 seconds.

The son of Partner's Hero is campaigned by Glenn Thompson and James Hackman and was purchased by Thompson for $2,500 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2008 Eastern Fall Yearling Sale. Thompson broke and trained Two Notch Road and conditions the dark bay gelding.

Two Notch Road won his sophomore debut the opening day of the Monmouth Park meet on May 22 by a 2-length margin, winning a 1-mile race on the turf.

The Virginia-bred's win on Sunday was his third victory over the Monmouth Park turf course. Two Notch Road had broken his maiden during his juvenile campaign in the Continental Mile. Jockey Shannon Uske, who piloted the gelding to victory on Sunday, was the rider in the irons during her stakes score. John Velazquez had ridden Two Notch Road in his previous start.

There was some thought that his next start would be in the 1 3/16-mile Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs on June 19, and although the race remains a possibility, it's highly unlikely, said Thompson.

"It was a good move to keep him here," said Thompson, in a phone interview Monday. "He's 3-for-3 at Monmouth and loves this course. He's not a warm weather horse. The weather had cooled off by the 11th race. The temperature dropped at the right time, and that seemed to help him a lot."

With the victory, Two Notch Road increased his lifetime earnings to $126,788.

6/5/2010 - Apprentice jockey Marni Williams, who continued to hone her skills this winter working for trainer Mike Keogh at the Aiken Training Track, won her first race last Saturday at Fort Erie racetrack in Fort Erie, Ont. Canada.

Williams rode A. Alber and Natural Eight Stable's Huggy Rocks, to a half-length victory in a 61/2-furlong race at the southern Ontario-based racetrack. Williams rallied Huggy Rocks, a 5-year-old chestnut mare, through the stretch to overtake Glorious Melody for the victory. The daughter of Rock and Roll had finished second in her last start at Fort Erie on May 16.

Huggy Rocks is conditioned by trainer William Tharrenos. And although she has breezed horses in the morning for Tharrenos, this is the first time she had ridden a horse for him in a race.

"This wasn't (Huggy Rocks) first win. She had won previously and had been ridden by Caroline Duquet," said Williams, in a phone interview Thursday afternoon. "She seems to like girl riders who have the bug (apprentice riders). She had two seconds in her two previous starts. It was nice to be on a live mount."

The native of Toronto, Ont., Canada continues to ride at Fort Erie and Woodbine in Rexdale, Ont. The jockey colonies at both racetracks are extremely competitive, she said.

"There are about 10 or 15 bug riders in Ontario," said Williams, a former tattoo artist, who rode in two races at this year's Aiken Trials. "It's a tough proposition. I didn't start riding until later in life (she began riding about five years ago). When I first started riding, I was at a disadvantage because I didn't know anyone."

Her fellow riders celebrated her maiden victory by dumping a couple of buckets of water on Williams but were actually pretty kind as she was to ride two races later, she said.

6/5/2010 - Gustav Schickedanz's Mobil Unit is the 5-2 morning line favorite for this afternoon's 6-furlong Bold Ruckus Stakes on the turf at Woodbine. Mike Keogh trains the 3-year-old gelding.

Glenn Thompson and James Hackman's Two Notch Road returns today in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on the turf at Monmouth Park. The 3-year-old gelding will break from post position 6 and will have jockey Shannon Uske in the irons.

Bribon, who won the 2009 Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap, won the 6-furlong Grade 2 True North Handicap Saturday at Belmont Park. The son of Mark of Esteem (IRE) uncoiled a powerful turn of foot, making up tremendous ground and eventually catching the leader Checklist to draw off to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Derrick Smith, who purchased the horse from Marc Keller, had the 7-year-old chestnut gelding who had been trained by Bobby Ribaudo transferred to the barn of 4-time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher. Garrett Gomez rode Bribon to victory Saturday. Bribon had trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm.

Gustav Schickedanz's homebred Artic Fern raced close to the pace and overtook True Metropolitan before drawing off to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance race Saturday at Woodbine by 21/4 lengths. Mike Keogh trains the dark bay gelded son of the 1996 Sovereign Award winner and Canadian Racing Hall of Fame member Langfuhr. Artic Fern was broken and trained in Aiken by Keogh.

Sally Cluff's Mae Be Winking, an Aiken Trials alumnus, broke her maiden Saturday evening in impressive fashion, wiring the field in a 7-furlong race by 3/4 lengths at Charles Town Races and Slots. The 4-year-old daughter of Gimmeawink is trained by Jeffery Allen and was broken and trained in Aiken by Cluff.

"She's a nice filly," said Cluff. "She has time to improve."

Fox Ridge Farm's homebred Fogcutter, was sent off as the race favorite in a 21/4-mile race over National Fences May 29 at Fair Hill, and he did not disappoint as he fought determinedly in the stretch to repel the challenge of Whitewood Stable's Blue Rider to win by a head. The 7-year-old gelded son of Woodman is conditioned by Tom Voss and was broken and trained in Aiken by Cluff.

6/3/2010 - Horses who've trained over the Aiken Training Track performed brilliantly, winning 13 races - four stakes races and two graded stakes races - and placing in three graded stakes during the past week.

The 2009 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year, Spring Hill Farm's homebred Quality Road, won his third graded stakes race of 2010, his second Grade 1 of the year and third Grade 1 of his career, with a powerful performance in the Metropolitan Handicap Monday at Belmont Park. The son of Elusive Quality repulsed the challenge of Musket Man in the stretch to win by 1 1/2-lengths. The 4-year-old colt is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher and covered the 1-mile distance in a scorching 1:33.11 seconds. Quality Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Darley's Tizaqueena won her second stakes race of 2010 in impressive fashion, wiring the field in the 1 1/8-miles Grade 3 Arlington Matron Handicap over the Polytrack Elite surface Saturday at Arlington Park. The daughter of the 2000 Eclipse Award winning Horse of the Year Tiznow, won by two-lengths. The Mike Stidham charge had won the Bayou Handicap earlier this year. Tizaqueena was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Wire To Wire Racing, LLC's Busha won the 1 1/16-mile Green Carpet Stakes on the turf Saturday at River Downs, commandeering the lead in the stretch and drawing off to win by 3/4-lengths. The son of Mercer Mill is conditioned by Mike Rone, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Spring Hill Farm's homebred Elusive Gift, a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Christmas Kid, won the 51/2-furlong John D. Marsh Stakes on the turf Saturday at Colonial Downs. The 5-year-old gelding is trained by Anthony Dutrow, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Darley's Very Sweet, a daughter of the 2002 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Congaree and a half-sister to Charity Quest (a winner of more than $100,000), won a 1-mile and 70-yards allowance race Saturday at Monmouth Park by 51/4-lengths. The 3-year-old chestnut filly is conditioned by Kiaran McLaughlin, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Foxwood Stable's Teton Star wired the field in a 51/2-furlong allowance race Tuesday at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort by 21/4-lengths. The 3-year-old gelding is trained by William Cowans, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Gainesway Farm's Toocleverforwords won a 1 1/8-miles allowance race on the turf by 21/2-lengths Friday at Belmont Park. The son of Grade 1 winner Arch is trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Shug McGaughey, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Get a rundown on all the local horses who placed in races this past week in an expanded online story at www.aikenstandard.com

Darley's Tybalt, a 4-year-old son of Storm Cat, placed second in the Grade 3 Hanshin Cup Handicap, contested at 1-mile over the Polytrack Elite surface Saturday at Arlington Park. The Mike Stidham charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Spring Hill Farm's Grade 1 winning homebred Cat Moves placed 3rd in the 6-furlong My Juliet Stakes Saturday at Philadelphia Park. The Anthony Dutrow charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Lansdon Robbins, III and Samuel Delaney's Aiken Trials alumnus Fuzzy Britches placed 3rd in the 1-mile Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old filly is trained by Richard Dutrow, Jr., and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Henceforth broke his maiden in a 1-mile race Monday at Churchill Downs by 6-lengths. The 3-year-old son of Hennessy is trained by Dallas Stewart and was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Peter Kazamias' Barcola won a 1 1/16-miles race Tuesday at Philadelphia Park by 3/4-lengths. The chestnut gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

John Adger's Hard Copy broke his maiden easily winning by 7-lengths in a 51/2-furlong race last Wednesday at Delaware Park. The 3-year-old son of multiple Grade 3 winner Valid Expectations was broken and trained in Aiken by Ron Stevens.

Michael Foster's Having Faith had just that winning a 6-furlong race by 2-lengths Tuesday at Presque Isle Downs. The 5-year-old daughter of Arch is conditioned by William Cowans and was trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

Dogwood Stable's Arcaro won a 7-furlong race Sunday by 3 3/4-lengths at Charles Town Races and Slots. The 5-year-old son of the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus is trained by Christopher Grove.

Donald Hughes' Suddenly Perfect won a 1-mile race by 3 3/4-lengths Tuesday at Indiana Downs. The son of the 1992 Eclipse Award winning Older Male Pleasant Tap was bred by Doris Tummillo and was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

George Schwartz's Way With Words, a winner of 3 stakes races in 2009, was selected as the 2009 New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year and Champion Handicap Mare.

Glenn Thompson and James Hackman's Two Notch Road, who won an allowance race opening day of the Monmouth Park meet, is being pointed toward the 7th running of the 1 3/16-miles Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup on June 19 at Colonial Downs.

"It was a big race for him, and I was really impressed," said Thompson. "He finished strong. He's developing and gets better and better."

Marni Williams, who worked this winter for Mike Keogh and rode in the Aiken Trials, won her first race as a jockey, guiding A. Alber and Natural Eight Stable's Huggy Rocks to a half-length victory in a 61/2-furlong race Saturday at Fort Erie.

5/29/2010 - Several Aiken-trained horses have been entered in stakes races this holiday weekend including the 2009 Aiken-Trained Horse-of-the-Year Quality Road.

The 4-year-old son of Elusive Quality returns in the 1-mile Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park. The multiple Grade 1 winner scored impressive victories in his first two starts in 2010, with wins in the Grade 3 Hal's Hope Stakes and Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park this winter. Quality Road is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher and drew post position seven in the eight-horse field. The Spring Hill homebred colt will have two-time Eclipse Award winning jockey John Velazquez in the irons. Quality Road was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Another Spring Hill homebred, Grade 1 winner Cat Moves, returns today in the 6-furlong My Juliet at Philadelphia Park. The 4-year-old daughter of Grade 2 winner Tale of the Cat will be making her 2010 debut. The bay filly won the Grade 1 Prioress Stakes July 4 at Belmont Park during her sophomore campaign. Cat Moves won her first three starts all at 6 furlongs with jockey Ramon Dominguez in the irons. She finished off the board in her last race, placing fifth in the Grade 2 Fitz Dixon Cotillion at Philadelphia Park on Oct. 3. The Anthony Dutrow charge will once again have Dominguez in the irons and will break from the six-hole, and has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite. Stevens broke and trained the winner of $287,850 in Aiken.

"I'm real happy with her," said Dutrow in a phone interview Friday. "It's at the distance she prefers. She's fresh, and I'm looking forward to her running a great race."

Darley's Grade 2 winner Tizaqueena and another Aiken-trained horse, Hark, are among the entries today in the 1 1/8-mile Grade 3 Arlington Matron. The two mares will race over the Polytrack Elite surface. Tizaqueena, who won the Bayou Handicap - the fourth stakes win of her career in March - was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones, is conditioned by Mike Stidham and breaks from the 11-hole in the 12 horse field. Hark, who trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm, is conditioned by Ian Wilkes and drew post position five.

5/24/2010 - A name familiar to Aiken residents returned to the winner's circle Saturday on the opening day of the Monmouth Park meet. Glenn Thompson with James Hackman's Two Notch Road won his season debut in a 1-mile allowance race on the turf by two lengths. The 3-year-old Virginia-bred gelding won the Continental Mile Stakes at Monmouth Park during his juvenile campaign. The horse is named after the road that runs parallel to the Aiken Training Track and is trained by Thompson.

Dogwood Stable's Winged Hero won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race Thursday at Pimlico by one length. The 4-year-old gelded son of the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus is conditioned by Christopher Grove.

Gustav Schickedanz's Arctic Fern won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race Sunday at Woodbine. The 3-year-old gelded son of the 1996 Sovereign Award-winning Sprinter Langfuhr is trained by Mike Keogh, who broke and trained the horse in Aiken.

Dogwood Stable's Grandstander won a 6-furlong race Wednesday at Delaware Park by a half length. The 3-year-old colt by Grand Slam is trained by Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Fox Ridge Farm's Crepe Au Sucre broke his maiden by 1 1/2 lengths in a 1-mile race Wednesday at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old son of Ecton Park paid $59.50 to win. Crepe Au Sucre is conditioned by Pat Kelly and was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup.

Aiken Trials Alumnus Dogwood Stable's Firepole placed third in the 4 1/2-furlong Par Four Stakes Saturday at Delaware Park. The son of Hook and Ladder is trained by George Weaver.

Spring Hill Farm's Pleasant Strike placed third in the 1 1/16-mile Elkwood Stakes Saturday on the turf at Monmouth Park. John Velazquez, who rode Pleasant Strike, claimed foul against Roman Tiger (ridden by Paco Lopez) who finished second after the latter horse had interfered with the former horse in the stretch. After a stewards inquiry, Roman Tiger was disqualified from second and placed fourth.

Denise Boudrot Hopkins, who won more than 1000 races as a jockey and was the first woman to a riding title at a major Thoroughbred racetrack, died Wednesday at the age of 57. She performed with her trick horse Cleve Kadiddlehopper at the 2008 Aiken Trials.

5/15/2010 - A jockey, who five years ago was working in a deli, piloted the 2009 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old colt Lookin At Lucky to victory in the 135th running of the Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico Racecourse.

Dogwood Stable's Aikenite never seemed to find his groove and wasn't a factor in the race, finishing 10th, beaten by 14 3/4 lengths. The son of Yes It's True came into the race off of a strong effort in the Grade 1-mile The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial Stakes at Churchill Downs on April 24, where he finished second.

"He kind of took him off the pace, which is what we were trying to do," said Todd Pletcher, Aikenite's trainer. "Then he just kind of failed to respond down the lane. He just ran evenly."

Lookin At Lucky covered the 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.47. It was Baffert's fifth Preakness victory from 11 starters. His other wins came with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, Point Given in 2001 and War Emblem in 2002. Lookin At Lucky is owned by Michael Pegram, Karl Watson and Weitman Performances, LLC.

"He's such a warrior (Lookin At Lucky)," said Baffert. "He tries so hard every time. In the Kentucky Derby, he had a rough trip. In the Santa Anita Derby, he had a rough trip. He's a great athlete with a great mind."

Baffert switched riders prior to the Preakness, from Garrett Gomez to Martin Garcia, making Saturday's victory even more poignant for the horsemen.

"He (Martin Garcia) has very light hands. The horses are very loose. He's a great rider. The horses really run for him," said Baffert.

Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, the other Todd Pletcher entry, finished eighth.

George Strawbridge's Augustin Stable's Beau Choix won his first stakes race in the inaugural running of the 1-mile James W. Murphy Stakes, presented by Iberia Airlines, on the turf by 1 3/4 lengths. Barclay Tagg, who trained dual classic winner Funny Cide, is the trainer of Beau Choix.

"It was exactly the way I wanted it to go," said Tagg. "Everything worked fine. It was almost like Funny Cide's Kentucky Derby. He broke good. He stayed where I wanted him to stay, and he was in nice stalking position."

George Schwartz's 6-year-old New Jersey-bred mare, Way With Words, a finalist for the outstanding New Jersey bred older filly or mare, placed sixth in the 59th running of the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Gallorette Handicap on the turf Saturday at Pimlico. Way With Words won her last start - the South Beach Stakes - on April 10th at Gulfstream Park by 4 3/4 lengths and three stakes races in 2009 - the Spruce Fir Handicap, the Eleven North Handicap and the Politely Handicap. She trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm. The bay filly is conditioned by Mary Eppler.

The Gallorette was named after the 1946 Champion Handicap Mare, who is a member of the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

5/14/2010 - It's a day that's burned indelibly into the minds of his connections, and he's remembered as a horse whose victory helped galvanize a community.

It's been 20 years since Dogwood Stable's Summer Squall won the Preakness, a victory that would not only touch the lives of those associated with the horse, but whose far reaching impact is still felt within Aiken to this day.

The 115th running of the Preakness saw Summer Squall turn the tables on his rival, the 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled, and win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown by 2 1/4 lengths.

Summer Squall was purchased by Dogwood Stable for $300,000, and he seemed to have all of the characteristics and traits associated with a good horse, said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

"His win (in the Preakness) was extremely important for us," said Campbell. "It immediately established us as a major league operation. If we hadn't been already, it certainly validated it. Summer Squall's winning the Preakness was a great thing for me personally and a great thing for Dogwood. He did everything right."

Summer Squall was by the stallion Storm Bird and possessed many of the attributes a Thoroughbred owner would hope to find in their horse - stamina, speed and courage.

He had impeccable breeding.

He was out of the Secretariat broodmare Weekend Surprise and was a complete outcross in his first four generations.

Summer Squall was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens

"If you win any jewel of the Triple Crown, it's a great accomplishment," said Stevens. "The Preakness has to be the most significant race a horse I've had anything to do with has ever won. That kind of put me on the map. A lot of my clients associate me with Summer Squall. It's very significant to me personally. It was a day I'll never forget. I wasn't there personally. There were tears shed and a lot of screaming going on when he came down the stretch and went by Undbridled. The Preakness has a special spot in my heart."

A precocious talent, Summer Squall, went through his two-year-old campaign undefeated. He was conditioned by Neil Howard at the racetrack. Howard had been training privately for William S. Farish at the time, and when Dogwood Stable had purchased the horse, Farish was gracious enough to let Howard train the horse, he said.

"It meant everything to me and to Dogwood I'm sure as well," said Neil Howard. "It was great for my career. It was a fortunate set of circumstances for me."

In addition to training Summer Squall for Dogwood, Howard and his wife established a strong bond with the Campbells on a personal level. Cot Campbell said he is one of Neil lHoward's most ardent admirers.

"One of the great things that came about as a result of having trained Summer Squall was the relationship that both myself and my wife developed with Cot and Anne Campbell," said Howard. "The friendship and respect are mutual."

Dogwood Stable has only started two horses in the Preakness, but they've had outstanding results. In addition to winning the Classic race with their first starter, they finished third in the 125th running of the Preakness in 2000 with the Todd Pletcher-conditioned Impeachment. Aikenite will be their third Preakness starter.

Summer Squall's victory still resonates not only with his connections, but with those associated with the sport of Thoroughbred racing and residents of Aiken.

"It was like throwing a stone into a pool and watching the ripples go out year after year," said Campbell.

Summer Squall won four of his six lifetime meetings with Unbridled.

"Not only was it a great rivalry between the horses, but what I think was great for racing was the relationship between the connections of both horses," said Jack Sadler, Dogwood Stable vice president. "Cot and Carl Nafzger (Unbridled's trainer) in particular became great friends during that rivalry. There was a lot of go between the two that was very positive for the racing game, demonstrating that while you're competitors, you could be great friends also."

It's hard to believe that the horse that would go onto become a Classic winner would have an inauspicious start, finishing third in the Aiken Trials.

Summer Squall later became part of the stallion roster at Lane's End Farm and sired Dogwood Stable's Storm Song, the 1996 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old filly. He also sired Charismatic, who won the 1999 Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Summer Squall was euthanized last September at the age of 22.

He retired with 13 wins, nine stakes victories, placed second four times and finished with earnings of $1,844,282.

5/7/2010 - Dogwood Stable’s Aikenite will contest the middle jewel of the Triple Crown with his next start coming in the 13/16-miles Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

“We felt like the Derby Trial was a step in the right direction,” said Todd Pletcher, Aikenite’s trainer, in a phone interview on Wednesday morning. “On his best day, he’s capable of a big race. We hope the Derby Trial springs him to a big effort in the Preakness.”

Jockey Roddy MacKenzie, who fell on Tom’s Last Chance at the Aiken Spring Steeplechase, returned to riding three weeks after the fall in a timber race. Among the injuries MacKenzie sustained were a concussion, dislocated shoulder and torn ligaments.

“I was a little tender when I came back,” said MacKenzie, in a phone interview Thursday afternoon. “I’m more comfortable when I’m on the horses because of the tension, than when I’m just standing around with my arm hanging down.”

Jay Em Ess’ Arson Squad scored his second consecutive stakes win in the 1 1/16-miles Grade 3 Alysheba Stakes on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs. The Richard Dutrow Jr. charge won his last start the Grade 3 Skip Away Stakes on April 3 at Gulfstream Park. The 7-year-old gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Legacy Stable-trained horses placed first and second in a 1-mile maiden special weight race April 30 at Belmont Park. The Todd Pletcher-trained entry of Spring Hill Farm’s Christmas for Liam and Dogwood Stable’s Brother Bird ran 1-2 over a track listed as fast. Stevens conditioned both horses in Aiken. Dogwood Stable’s Arcaro won a 1 1/16-miles race by 21/2-lengths April 29 at Charles Town Races and Slots. Christopher Grove conditioned the winner. One of the daughters of the 2005 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year broke her maiden May 1. Limehouse Liz won a 6-furlong contest May 1 at Pimlico. The Dogwood charge is trained by Grove.

Aiken Trials alumnus Cleric won a 6-furlong race May 1 at Pimlico. Dogwood Stable owns the 4-year-old gelding.

John Adger’s Bancroft won a 5-furlong race by 61/2-lengths Tuesday at Delaware Park. Stonerside Stable bred the 3-year-old filly who was conditioned by Mike Stidham, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Crossed Sabres Farm’s Count Catamount won a 6-furlong race on the turf April 30 at Belmont Park.

5/01/2010 -The connections of Lou Brissie won over some very familiar ground Friday as the Dogwood Stable owned colt and the Neil Howard trained charge collared leader Twelve Pack Shelly in the stretch drawing off to a convincing 1 1/2-length win in the 5-furlong Grade 3 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill Downs. Howard won the race with another Dogwood Stable charge in 1989, Classic winner Summer Squall. The chestnut colt is the 74th stakes winner for Dogwood Stable.

Lou Brissie placed second in the Aiken Trials’ The Von Stade Trophy, and won his debut impressively 15 days ago at Keeneland, and was equally outstanding on Friday. He will be pointed next toward the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs on July 3, said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

Lou Brissie walked his beat in sensational fashion,” said Campbell, in a press release. “The field included a couple of sensational fillies, one being Twelve Pack Shelly who had just broken a track record at Laurel.”

4/25/2010 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite closed strongly to place second to Hurricane Ike in the 1-mile Grade 3 The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial Stakes Saturday at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old colt finished 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner, but 6 3/4 lengths in front of third place finisher Pleasant Prince.

Aikenite was sent off as the fifth choice in the field of eight in the wagering. The Todd Pletcher charge was ridden by Garrett Gomez and increased his lifetime earnings to $300,806. The Florida-bred son of Grade 1 winner Yes It's True was trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

4/24/2010 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite returns today in the 1-mile Grade 3 The Cliff's Edge Stakes at Churchill Downs and hopes to bounce back from his perplexing performance in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes two weeks ago.

The son of Yes It's True will break from post position nine in a field of 10 horses. The dark bay colt will be ridden again by two-time Eclipse Award winning Jockey Garrett Gomez.

"The Blue Grass was an oddly run race in that the horse who won it, Stately Victor, had been defeated by our colt by seven lengths in their previous meeting," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president, in a press release.

It will be the eighth start of Aikenite's career and fourth of 2010, with seven of his eight lifetime starts coming in graded stakes company.

The Todd Pletcher charge has banked $254,750 during his career.

4/21/2010 - The pride of Charles Town Researcher made it consecutive victories in the 1 1/8-mile Charles Town Classic. The 6-year-old gelded son of Two Smart, who was recently purchased by the Kinross Corporation from Rutledge Farm, won the $1,000,000 race Saturday night at Charles Town Races and Slots by 1 3/4-lengths. The $600,000 winner's share increased Researcher's lifetime earnings to $1,378,629, as he becomes the latest millionaire to have trained over the Aiken Training Track. Jeff Runco trains Researcher, who was broken and trained by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Lou Brissie, an Aiken Trials alumnus, became the second Dogwood juvenile to win at the current Keeneland meet as the chestnut colt by the 2005 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Limehouse won at first asking, breaking his maiden Thursday by three-quarters of a length at the Lexington, Ky.-based track joining stablemate Firepole, who won his debut the previous week. Neil Howard conditions the horse named after the former World War II veteran and Major League Baseball pitcher.

Gustav Schickedanz's Arctic Fern cooled off the competition by nearly wiring the field as the 3-year-old gelding broke his maiden by 1 1/2-lengths in a 6 1/2-furlong race Saturday at Woodbine. The son of Langfuhr, who is conditioned by Mike Keogh, paid $22.50 to win.

Spring Hill Farm's Casanova Move placed second in the Hilbys Brite Flight Stakes April 14 at Aqueduct. The Todd Pletcher charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Fox Ridge Farm's Naughty New Yorker continued to add to his lifetime earnings by finishing third in the 1 1/8-mile Packett's Landing Stakes Sunday at Aqueduct. The Pat Kelly charge was trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Aiken will not be represented by an entry in this year's Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands as Aikenite, A Little Warm and Tempted to Tapit all fell short in having enough earnings to qualify for the field.

4/15/2010 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite will attempt to bounce back in the 1-mile Grade 3 $200,000 Derby Trials Stakes on April 24 at Churchill Downs.

The multiple graded placed son of Yes it's True has finished off the board in three of his last four starts, and hasn't won since breaking his maiden in his debut last August. The dark bay colt finished eighth in the nine horse field last Saturday in the Blue Grass Stakes.

"Our colt's reversal of form in the Blue Grass has made the Kentucky Derby an illogical move, but we are - after exhaustive post-race tests show the colt in perfect health - going to draw a line through the Blue Grass and wheel Aikenite back in the one mile Derby Trial Stakes," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

"The synthetic tracks have proven to be unpredictable in form and for all of these reasons we're going to throw the race out, regroup and go again. We're certainly not giving up on him."

Aikenite placed sixth in his 2010 debut in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, he placed third in his following start the Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes beaten 9 1/4-lengths prior to his start in the Blue Grass Stakes.

The Todd Pletcher charge has one win, one second place finish and two thirds to his credit. Aikenite has bankrolled $254,750.

4/12/2010 - Dogwood Stable enjoyed a prosperous week as five of its horses were victorious and two other horses that were trained in Aiken won stakes races on Saturday

Gainesway Farm and Joseph Cornacchia's Touching Beauty won the 1-mile Grade 3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct, collaring the leader Anchorage near the top of the stretch and turning back the challenge of her rival Speightful Affair to win by a half-length. The 3-year-old daughter of Grade 1 winner Tapit won a 7-furlong allowance race in her last start at Gulfstream Park on March 14. The bay filly is conditioned by James Jerkens and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens

George Schwartz's Way With Words stormed up to take command entering the stretch to win the 7-1/2-furlong South Beach Stakes on the turf by a comfortable 4-lengths at Gulfstream Park. The 6-year-old New Jersey-bred mare, who won the 2009 Politely Stakes, is a finalist for the 2009 Outstanding New Jersey-bred Handicap Mare. The Mary Eppler charge was trained at W.C. and Iris Freeman's Chime Bell Farm. Way With Words paid $25 to win.

Dogwood Stable's Firepole, the winner of The Coward Trophy in this year's Aiken Trials, broke his maiden in his debut at Keeneland on April 8 in a 4-1/2-furlong race. The New York-bred son of Hook and Ladder and Ocala Breeders' Sales Company graduate won by a half-length. The George Weaver charge was trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Mine Train moved like a locomotive, breaking his maiden by a half-length in a 1-1/16-mile race Sunday at Keeneland. The 3-year-old son of the 2004 Horse of the Year Mineshaft is trained by Neil Howard.

Blackberry Road returned to the winner's circle Thursday at Laurel Park, winning a 6-furlong allowance race. The 5-year-old horse conditioned by Christopher Grove placed second in The City of Aiken Trophy in the Aiken Trials.

Dogwood Stable's Philharmonic won a 6-furlong race Wednesday by 1-lengths at Laurel Park. The 5-year-old gelding is trained by Grove.

Winged Hero was also among the quintet of Dogwood Stable runners who found the winners' circle, winning a 1-mile race by 7- lengths Friday at Laurel Park. Grove trains the 4-year-old son of the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus.

Hit the Cycle won by daylight, breaking his maiden by 7-lengths Thursday at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old colt is owned by Sam Kassin and Eli Gindi and was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Aiken Trials alumnus Mae Be Winking placed second Friday in a 7-furlong race at Charles Town Races and Slots. The daughter of Gimmeawink is owned by Sally Cluff.

4/11/2010 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite's Kentucky Derby hopes were denied Saturday after an eighth-place finish in the 1-1/8-mile Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland race course in Lexington, Ky.

The dark bay colt will not be among the entries for the 136th Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands, after finishing next to last. The 3-year-old colt raced within striking distance of the early leaders but appeared to be fatigued entering the stretch and faded to eighth.

The Todd Pletcher charge was ridden by two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Garrett Gomez, who had won the 2006 edition of the race on Sinister Minister.

Alan Garcia, who had piloted Aikenite to a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 20, was replaced by Gomez for Saturday's race but rode the winner Stately Victor - a 40-1 longshot - who came from off the pace, rapidly gaining ground in the stretch, to draw off to a 4-1/4-length victory.

"Garrett Gomez said after the race that Aikenite came up empty when he asked the colt the question," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. "This was not typical, and there doesn't seem to be any reason for his performance at this point. Even though we have enough earnings to get into the Kentucky Derby ... we will not give any consideration to running now."

Dogwood Stable has enjoyed previous success in the Blue Grass Stakes with Summer Squall winning the race in 1990, Wallenda placing second in 1993 and 2005 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Limehouse finishing third in 2004.

4/09/2010 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite hopes to return to the winner's circle tomorrow in the 1-1/8-miles Grade 1 $750,0000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. The Lexington, Ky.-based track was the site of the dark bay colt's second place finish in the 1-1/16 miles Grade 1 Dixiana Breeders' Futurity on Oct. 10, 2009. The race will determine whether he will run in the Kentucky Derby on May 1 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

"This race will tell us whether we'll go to the Derby," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. "I think he has enough earnings to make the list, but he needs to run a big race, and I think he will. It's a hard race to handicap, because you have horses coming from different racetracks. A lot of them haven't faced each other. A lot of the horses in the field haven't run on a synthetic surface, so we don't know how they'll take to it. We know ours seems to like it very much."

The son of Yes It's True drew the No. 8 hole in the field of nine. Campbell is less then crazy about the post position. Garrett Gomez, the 2007 and 2008 Eclipse Award winning Jockey, will pilot Aikenite for the first time in the Blue Grass Stakes. The main objective for Aikenite is to run well in the Blue Grass, said Campbell. Aikenite finished third in his last start the 1-1/8-mile Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 20. Todd Pletcher, the four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer, conditions the colt who has earned $251,000.

"We'd like to be in a stalking mode, 4 or 5 lengths off the lead," said Campbell. "We have a short run going into the first turn. We are next to the outside, but we'll have to use him a little bit. We have one of the greatest riders in the world riding him."

Aikenite has been ridden by either Alan Garcia or John Velazquez in his six previous starts.

"I know Alan Garcia would like to get back on him, his agent saw me in Kentucky earlier in the week (at the Keeneland April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale) and said that, and I said, 'We'll certainly keep that in mind.' And we will. He's a good rider." "This horse of ours always shows up," said Campbell. "If he goes to Louisville, he has several things going for him. It looks like he does like the distance, despite his breeding that wouldn't indicate that. He has a running style of being relaxed, which is very valuable; he's a horse that can get in trouble and get bumped around and doesn't quit and the crowd and the activity at Churchill Downs wouldn't phase him. He may go to sleep in the paddock."

Dogwood Stable's Firepole, the winner of The Coward Trophy in the Aiken Trials, won his debut Thursday a 4-1/2-furlong race at Keeneland. And Dogwood's venerable campaigner Blackberry Road, who placed second in The City of Aiken Trophy, returned to the winner's circle with a victory in a 6-furlong allowance race Thursday at Laurel Park.

4/04/2010 - Jay Em Ess Stable's Arson Squad became the latest horse to eclipse $1 million in earnings after training at the Aiken Training Track.

The Richard Dutrow Jr. charge went over the $1 million mark in winning the 13/16-mile Grade 3 Skip Away Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park. He finished second in his last start the 1-1/16 -mile Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on March 6. The gelding had been initially trained by Bruce Headley before being transferred to Dutrow's barn. Arson Squad was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

It was the fifth stakes victory for the 7-year-old gelding. Arson Squad won stakes races in three consecutive years, winning the Grade 2 Swaps Stakes and San Pedro Stakes during his sophomore campaign. The son of Grade One winner Brahms won the Grade 2 Strub Stakes as a 4-year-old and the Grade 2 Meadowlands Cup at age 5.

The dark bay gelding was bred in Pennsylvania by Michigan residents Dr. Donald and Elisa Dreyfuss' E&D Enterprises and was foaled at Bob and Connie Nesteruk's Full House Farm in Doylestown, Pa.

Arson Squad was purchased at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale from the consignment of Clarkland Farm by Mace and Samantha Siegel for $100,000.

It was the 26th start in the durable campaigner's career, and Arson Squad increased his lifetime bankroll to $1,007,188 with the victory.

4/02/2010 - Darley's Tizaqueena won the 1-1/8-mile Bayou Handicap on the turf last Friday at the Fair Grounds. The 5-year-old daughter of the 2000 Horse of the Year, Tiznow, won her third stakes race as the dark bay mare scored victories in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile Stakes and the Fortin Handicap in 2009. Tizaqueena is conditioned by Mike Stidham, was bred by Stonerside and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Rutledge Farm's Researcher won a 1-1/16 -mile allowance race Saturday at Charles Town Races and Slots. The Grade 3 winner, who won the inaugural edition of the Charles Town Classic Stakes and his second consecutive H.B.P.A. Governors Cup Stakes in 2009 at age 5, bounced back from a sixth place finish in his 2010 debut in January. The Jeff Runco charge was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable'sRon Stevens.

Gainseway Farm's homebred Patrol Leader raced close to the pace before overtaking Bavaria entering the stretch to break his maiden by 2-3/4-lengths on March 19 in a 1-mile contest at Gulfstream Park. James Jerkens trains the son of Grade 1 winner Forestry. The 3-year-old colt was broken and trained by Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's 8-year-old gelding Prince Rahy won the Kershaw Saturday, a 1-1/2-miles training flat on the turf at Springdale Race Course in Camden. Jonathan Sheppard conditions the son of Rahy, who was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Dogwood Stable's Arcaro made it two consecutive victories winning a 6-furlong race last Friday at Laurel Park. The 5-year-old son of the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus is conditioned by Christopher Grove, and was broken and trained in Aiken by Dogwood Stable.

Spring Hill Farm's A Little Warm, who won the Spectacular Bid Stakes in January, placed second Saturday in the 1-1/8-mile Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds. The Anthony Dutrow charge was broken and trained by Stevens. It appears the son of Stormin Fever is being pointed toward the Kentucky Derby.

Gainesway Farm's Tempted to Tapit placed third in the 1-1/8-miles Grade 3 Sunland Derby Sunday at Sunland Park. The son of Grade 1 winner Tapit is trained by Steve Klesaris and was broken and trained by Stevens.

Crossed Sabres Farm's Indian Burn, broken and trained by Wes Carter, placed third in the 6-furlong Cicada Stakes March 20 at Aqueduct.

3/29/2010 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite will be piloted by two-time Eclipse Award winning jockey Garrett Gomez in the Grade 1 $750,000 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland on April 10.

Gomez, who is the regular rider of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman's 2009 Eclipse Award-winning two-year-old male, Lookin At Lucky, has committed to ride the son of Yes It's True in the nine-furlong contest on April 10. Lookin at Lucky will race this Saturday in the Santa Anita Derby and was available to ride Aikenite on April 10. He replaces jockey Alan Garcia for the Bluegrass Stakes. It was Garcia who rode Aikenite to a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 20.

The dark bay colt - who has not won since breaking his maiden in his debut last August at Saratoga Race Course - returns to Keeneland, where he placed second over the Polytrack Elite synthetic surface in the Dixiana Breeders' Futurity on Oct. 10.

The colt had a bullet work on Sunday at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla., working a 5/8 mile in 1:0125 seconds, and the Todd Pletcher charge appears to be primed for his next race, said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. Plans call for Aikenite to work one more time on April 3, and he'll then ship to Churchill Downs on April 4. "We like the fact that he has been on the muscle these past few weeks," said Campbell. "It's a definite change from his attitude over the winter as far as his morning works go. He has an easy going way about him and has always saved the best of himself for the afternoons. "

3/18/2010 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite continues along the Kentucky Derby Trail and will be pointed toward the Grade 1 $750,000 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland on April 10.

The dark bay son of Grade 1 winner Yes It's True, has raced one other time over the Polytrack Elite surface, finishing second to Noble's Promise in the Grade 1 Dixiana Futurity Oct. 10, 2009.

The 3-year-old colt has not won since breaking his maiden in his debut last August at Saratoga Race Course. Prior to his last start in the Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 20, where he finished third, 8 1/2-lengths behind eventual winner Eskendereya and another 3/4-lengths back of runner up Jackson Bend. Aikenite had placed sixth and fifth in his previous two races the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and the Grade 1 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

The Todd Pletcher charge is scheduled to have two more works at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla., on March 21 and March 28, before leaving for Kentucky, said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

"We want the colt to remain at Palm Meadows for as long as possible because of the erratic weather in Kentucky," said Campbell.

Aikenite's performance in the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes will determine whether he will be part of the field for the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands.

"Aikenite's disposition and running style are well suited for an appearance in the Derby, and if Alan Garcia - his regular rider - is correct when he says our colt wants more ground, then that is a fact that makes us want to get there," said Campbell. "His $251,000 in earnings is already adequate to get him in the starting field for the Kentucky Derby. He acts as if he would belong, but the Bluegrass will solidify our thoughts on the matter."

And if Aikenite does go on to win the Grade 1 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes, Dogwood Stable will receive the Keeneland Tray and its eighth mint julep cup, for winning its eighth graded stakes victory at the Lexington, Ky.-based track.

3/14/2010 - The 68th edition of the Aiken Trials was an afternoon that saw dreams come true for an owner, the prominent green-and-yellow silks of Dogwood Stable and the start of a new era.

Lawrence O'Brien's Stiletto Ridge, the daughter of Grade 1 winner Snow Ridge, broke well and seized the lead from Festive Girl and, under mild urging from jockey James "Bo" Burns, held off Blackberry Road to win The City of Aiken trophy by 2¬½ lengths. In doing so, the 4-year-old filly ended the reign of Bruce Snipes' Nekia Farm, who didn't have an entry in this year's race, and had a tight grip on the day's feature contest, winning the last eight runnings of the race. Stiletto Ridge placed third in last year's Iselin Hall of Fame Trophy. O'Brien, in addition to owning the horse, also conditions the filly.

"Bruce is my buddy; we hang around together," said O'Brien, who worked for Hall of Fame trainer Mack Miller for 15 years. "We were going to scratch the horse three days ago because she jumped on her foot and took a piece of her hoof off. Right now, she's only about 80 percent. I have her nominated for the Bienville Stakes at the Fair Grounds on March 26. This was a tightener for that race."

Goodgirlgonewild went right to the front in The Gaver Trophy and set the early pace, but it was Dogwood Stable's Cordial who raced off the lead and seized command, uncoiling a powerful turn of foot and easily besting her rivals, winning by an impressive 4¬½-length margin. Jockey Salvador Torres confidently guided the daughter of Grade 1 winner Hennessy to victory.

"She got squeezed a little bit at the break but cleared pretty quick," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. "It was remarkable because this filly had never seen a starting gate when I bought her in the OBS Sale. Ron (Stevens) has done a good job with her. She's very intelligent, and she's picked it up quick. She goes onto Keeneland now, and she'll be trained by Neil Howard."

Rutledge Farm's Southern Will set the early fractions, but Dogwood Stable's Firepole and Stormy the Cat battled through the stretch with Firepole repulsing the bid of his rival. The New York-bred son of Hook and Ladder, who was purchased by Dogwood Stable at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company February-select 2-year-olds-in-training sale from the consignment of Sequel Bloodstock's Becky Thomas, prevailed by a half length in The Coward Trophy.

"He worked fast down there (at OBS). He's another horse that came here with no gate work, but he's picked it up quick," said Campbell. "I thought he ran very gamely against a pretty classy horse (Stormy the Cat). Stormy the Cat will be going to Todd Pletcher, and I would think probably to Keeneland. I planned to send the other horse to New York, but as quick as he is, he may end up going to Keeneland to George Weaver."

Any Time Now Slew made it a day to remember for his owner, Bill Birkett. Jockey Chad Frederick piloted the gelded son of Habayeb to a one-length victory to capture The Von Stade Trophy. The Ohio-bred gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Kelly Tucker.

"I'm so excited for Mr. Birkett; he foaled this horse. This is his first race, and it's a huge thrill for him," said Tucker. "The horse has been training well, and I thought he would do OK. I'm as pleased as I can be."

For Birkett, it was a dream that almost didn't come true because of a pregnancy that had a number of complications, but the end result was tantamount to the greatest day in the owner's life.

"The mommy was 18 years old, and she had a really tough time," said Birkett. "She went 13 months (carrying the foal). It was almost the choice time between the mom and the foal. I had him in my arms 29 minutes after (he foaled). The opportunity to come to Aiken is unbelievable. I have the best trainer that anyone can have. This is a fantastic facility. The horse will be going to Doug Cowan. We'll go up to River Downs, but he's scheduled to go to Keeneland. There are four or five races that we're going to go after. This is probably the most wonderful day of my life."

Pam Gleason's Eli Yale and Aiken Horse's Aztec placed first and second in this year's Polo Pony race - the same order as in the 2009 edition of the Post Trophy. Eli Yale shaved 23 1/5 seconds off the track record for 300 yards.

"I have a really fast horse, and we knew we were going to do this (the Polo Pony race), so we got him ready for the race," said Gleason, who owns, trains and rode the winner.

Spring Hill Farm's Ask me When set the early fractions as Dogwood Stable's Deets raced with tactical speed, never letting the pacesetter out of his sight. When the front runner tired, Deets seized command, turning back a mild threat from his entry mate Limehouse Liz, to leave the rest of the field in his wake. Deets captured The Iselin Hall of Fame trophy by 6¬½ lengths. The winner will be going to trainer Dallas Stewart, Campbell said. "I always liked him," said Campbell. "He had some physical problems. We brought him back here. He recuperated. This should set him up to go six furlongs at Keeneland. The time was very exciting; it was not too far off the track record."

3/14/2010 - Spring Hill Farm's Quality Road became the seventh horse to be honored as Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Sunday for his accomplishments in 2009.

Quality Road's owner and breeder Spring Hill Farm's Edward Evans accepted the honor on behalf of the son of Elusive Quality during a ceremony at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. Bloodstock consultant John Adger served as the Master of Ceremonies for the presentation.

Quality Road was bred by Spring Hill Farm and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens. The now 4-year-old colt enjoyed an outstanding 3-year-old campaign, where he distinguished himself as one of the best horses of his generation, setting track records in winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and the 6¬½-furlong Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Quality Road's 2-year-old sister Kobla Cat is in training with Stevens. Quality Road won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and Grade 1 Florida Derby while in the barn of trainer James Jerkens. After being transferred to four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, the bay colt won the Grade 2 Amsterdam.

"He's a very calm horse. He's 17 hands, 1,200 pounds and he sleeps all the time," said Evans. "Any impression anybody got about him misbehaving in the Breeders' Cup was really a consequence of the gate crew rushing him and putting a blindfold on him. He doesn't like people ordering him around. Otherwise, he's like a big dog but a very fast big dog."

In this year's Grade 1 Donn Handicap, Quality Road broke his own track record winning the race by 12+ lengths. He won the Grade 3 Hal's Hope Stakes in January.

"He was barely challenged in the Donn Handicap; he didn't even know he was in a race because he didn't see anybody," said Evans.

The colt had been considered the race favorite for the 2009 Kentucky Derby, when he developed quarter cracks in both his right front and rear hooves. He's being pointed toward the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on Memorial Day and will have three races after that - more than likely at Saratoga and Belmont with the primary objective being the Breeders' Cup Classic, said Evans.

"I'm very hopeful that we'll have good luck this year as opposed to the bad luck he had last year," said Evans. "We have a manageable schedule outlined for him this year."

Quality Road had a full-brother born Friday at Spring Hill Farm, said Evans.

"He was identical to Quality Road except he was 147 pounds, four more pounds than when Quality Road was born in 2006," said Evans. "So maybe there will be another one coming along."

Quality Road has now earned $1,332,830.

3/10/2010 - Richard Duchossois' First of February won a six-furlong allowance race by a half-length Saturday at Hawthorne. The 4-year-old chestnut daughter of the 2001 European champion 2-year-old male Johannesburg is conditioned by Chris Block and was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stable.

Fox Ridge Farm's Balizee won her second consecutive race - a six-furlong allowance race - Sunday by 1¬½ lengths at Aqueduct. The 3-year-old bay daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Grand Slam is conditioned by Pat Kelly and was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup.

Spring Hill Farm's Salaam Alaykum won a one-mile maiden special-weight turf race by 2¬½ lengths Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old bay filly by the 2005 horse of the year Saint Liam is conditioned by four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable's Ron Stevens.

Larry Waltz's Sunburst broke his maiden in a six-furlong race Thursday at Turfway Park, winning by 5¾ lengths. The 4-year-old gelded son of the 1997 Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold was bred by Stonerside Stable, is conditioned by Brian Waltz and was broken and trained in Aiken by Tim Jones.

Jesse Igelsias' Jacob's Run won a six-furlong race last Wednesday by a head at Aqueduct. The 6-year-old horse by Gulch, the 1988 Eclipse Award winning Sprinter, was trained by Gregory DiPrima and was broken and trained in Aiken by Brookridge Stables.

Jay Em Ess Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Arson Squad, a 7-year-old gelded son of Brahms who's earned more than $900,000, was second in the 1 1/16-mile Challenger Stakes Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The dark bay gelding was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

* Stone Farm, John Adger, Oakcrest Farm and Mike Stidham's Upperline was third Saturday in the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride Stakes on the turf at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old daughter of the 1995 Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old male Maria's Mon was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Spring Hill Farm's graded stakes winner Nite Light was third in the Stymie Handicap Sunday at Aqueduct. The 6-year-old son of dual Classic winner Thunder Gulch was broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

Rutledge Farm's owner Hermen Greenberg died Feb. 28. He was 89. Greenberg bred the 1993 Belmont Stakes winner Colonial Affair and graded stakes winners Sur La Tete and Researcher. His horses are broken and trained in Aiken by Stevens.

3/8/2010 - The entries for the 68th edition of the Aiken Trials were drawn Monday morning. A total of 33 horses will contest the six races.

Dogwood Stables has entered eight horses; the late Hermen Greenberg's Rutledge Farm entered three horses; and Carolyn Vogel's Cross Sabres Farm, Mike Rutherford's Manchester Farm and Lansdon Robbins III each entered two horses.

A total of six horses are scheduled to go to post for the day's sixth trial, The City of Aiken Trophy, is open to horses ages 3 and up, and will be contested at a distance of 4½ furlongs. Among the horses entered are Ohio-bred, 2-year-old filly champion Fairwinds Farm's Noneofyourbeeswax, Dogwood Stable's allowance winner and graded stakes placed Blackberry Road and Lawrence O'Brien's Stiletto Ridge, who placed third for the 2009 Iselin Trophy.

The first three races will feature juveniles and will be contested over a quarter-mile. The day's first race, The Gaver Trophy, sponsored by VistaBank, will feature five 2-year-old fillies.

The day's second contest, The Coward Trophy, sponsored by AllStar Rents Inc., will feature five 2-year-old male juveniles, four colts and one gelding.

Race three, The Von Stade Trophy, sponsored by AB Beverage Company Inc., features both 2-year-old colts and fillies. The field is composed of six horses.

Once again, the day's fourth trial, The Post Trophy, will be a polo pony race. The race will be 300 yards, and the horses will race from a standing start. Last year's top-two finishers, Eli Yale, a 7-year-old chestnut gelding owned, conditioned and ridden by Pam Gleason, and Aztec, a 10-year-old chestnut gelding owned by Aiken Horse LLC and trained by Gary Knoll, will have polo player Theresa King in the irons.

The fifth trial is open to horses that are 3 years old or older and have never won a race. The Iselin Hall of Fame Trophy is sponsored by Atlantic Broadband and will be contested over a distance of 4½ furlongs. The race entries are composed of one 4-year-old filly, a triumvirate of 3-year-old fillies and one 3-year-old colt.

The Aiken Trials start on Saturday. Gates open at 10 a.m. followed by the first race at 2 p.m.

3/7/2010 - The 68th edition of the Aiken Trials will once again feature Thoroughbred racing's stars of tomorrow as well as veteran campaigners looking to return to form at the racetrack this spring.

The first leg of the Aiken Triple Crown will be held Saturday, with gates opening at 10 a.m. The race card will be composed of six contests and will be conducted at the Aiken Training Track, a public training facility located on Two Notch Road. Post time for the first race is 2 p.m.

The safe, controlled and family-oriented environment attracts people of all ages, who have an opportunity to experience the excitement of Thoroughbred racing.

The day's activities will feature a carriage parade at 1 p.m. The races will also feature a Polo Pony race sponsored by the Aiken Horse.

The sponsors for this year's Aiken Trials include the The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, AllStar Rents, Aiken Land Conservancy, Atlantic Broadband, Boots, Bridles and Britches, Vista Bank, Meybohm Relators and AB Beverage Co. Inc.

Spectators welcome the opportunity to be part of a day that includes great flat racing, socializing with their friends and enjoying a virtual cornucopia of gastronomical delights as tailgating is encouraged.

The day's races provide the 2-year-olds or juvenile horses with an invaluable experience, getting an opportunity to showcase their talents before a large crowd prior to leaving to compete at the racetrack. The 4¬½-furlong races written for older horses serve as a means of conditioning, so they'll be fit when they return to the races in the spring.

This year's Aiken Trials will not feature a tent party, but individual sponsors will have cabanas that are close to the finish line.

General admission tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Parking tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.

General admission tickets can be purchased at AllStar Rents, the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, Aiken Saddlery and Supply, Boots, Bridles and Britches and Anything Goes in North Augusta.

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

2/21/2010 - The thrill and excitement of Thoroughbred racing and the start of the Aiken Triple Crown is less than three weeks away. The 68th edition of the Aiken Trials will once again take center stage at the Aiken Training Track on March 13.

The trials are composed of six races, including contests for 2-year-olds, older horses and polo ponies.

The Aiken Trials is being sponsored by the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, AllStar Rents, Aiken Land Conservancy, Atlantic Broadband, Boots, Bridles and Britches, Vista Bank, Aiken Horse, Meybohm Realtors and the AB Beverage Co. Inc.

"Our sponsors are in place, and we have a nice television advertisement that we're getting ready to run on Comcast and Atlantic Broadband," said Bernadette Clayton, Aiken Trials committee. "WKSX-FM will be doing a ticket giveaway."

There are still a few opportunities available to advertise in the Aiken Trials program, Clayton said.

A few patron spots for the Aiken Trials are still available, she said.

2/12/2010 - A daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Vicar is allowing the owners of Mosaic Racing Stable, a partnership of nine owners, to live vicariously through her accomplishments on the racetrack.

Vicarious, a 5-year-old gray filly, is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens and was broken and trained in Aiken by Suzy Haslup.

“We agreed with a handshake to a very basic set of precepts which essentially states that we agreed that every decision made would be in her best interest," said Monica Driver, who bred Vicarious. Aiken resident Barry Bornstein is also part of the partnership. “To that end, she started training slowly at age two. This is her third winter with Suzy Haslup. Allen Jerkens trained her granddam, Greatly Shocked."

The New York-bred filly is out of the Distinctive Pro broodmare, Loose Wire, and was bred by Driver. Loose Wire is the dam of four stakes winners that include Grade 3 winner Scottish Monk, Grade 3 winner Wire Me Collect and stakes winners Clever Electrician and Electric Shock.

A durable and consistent performer, Vicarious didn’t race as a juvenile but made nine starts during her sophomore campaign and 11 starts at four years old. She has made all 20 of her career starts in New York.

Vicarious broke her maiden in her fourth start at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 6, 2008, in a 7-furlong race over a track listed as “good" with jockey Cornelio Velasquez in the irons. The gray filly would hit the board in her next three starts.

At age four, she started a string of seven top-three finishes, with a third place finish in a one-mile allowance race on July 12, 2009, at Belmont Park. She won her second race in a 1 1/16-mile contest on Sept. 11, 2009 at Belmont Park.

For the last two winters, she’s trained at DiAnn Langer’s Red Top Farm, working with the renowned hunter/jumper rider and trainer. Hunter/jumper rider Gonzalo Garcia has worked very closely with the filly.

Cross training is beneficial to horses because it reinforces a different set of muscles, said Langer.

“It helps to relieve the stress on the muscles they use," said Langer. “Theyuse a secondary set of muscles, and it alleviates the chance of them getting hurt."

Vicarious appears to have benefitted from the variety of training she’s experienced and is fit and well-conditioned. She’ll return to training at the Aiken Traning Track with Haslup this week.

“It helps to freshen the mind and keeps the horses happier," said Langer. “It keeps the horses interested beyond doing their principal discipline. It’s an excellent plan for all horses and this horse. She’s a really nice mover, has a great mind, loves to work and is quite smart. She’s a lovely filly."

Vicarious has two victories from 20 starts, placed second five times and finished third four times, en route to bankrolling $99,577.

2/12/2010 - A dominant performance last Saturday in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap has Spring Hill Farm’s Quality Road at the top of the Older Male division. It may be premature to anoint the 2009 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year as a 2010 Eclipse Award finalist, but the first two starts of his 4-year-old campaign have made a cogent argument for the bay son of Elusive Quality.

Last Saturday’s 12 3/4-length victory in the Donn Handicap was the third time Quality Road has established a track record while winning a stakes race. He eclipsed his own mark for 1 1/8 miles (1:47.49) at Gulfstream Park, which he had set in winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28. He had also established a new track record in winning the 6 1/2-furlong Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 3. He opened his 4-year-old campaign with a victory in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 3.

Quality Road is trained by four-time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

The fast early fractions set by the pacesetter Past the Point for the half-mile (46.02 seconds) and for 6 furlongs (1:09:87) in the Donn Handicap were somewhat of a cause for concern as Quality Road raced just off the pace in stalking distance, said Stevens. “It was a super impressive performance," said Stevens. “It was his track record to break. He’s established himself as one of the top older horses."

Quality Road with his victories in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope Stakes and the Grade 1 Donn Handicap increased his lifetime earnings to $1,332,830.

2/12/2010 - Dogwood Stable’s Aikenite returns Feb. 20 in the $250,000 1 1/8-mile Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The son of Grade 1 winner Yes It’s True will try to bounce back from consecutive fifth-place finishes in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 7 and the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park. The Todd Pletcher charge, ridden by John Velazquez in the Holy Bull Stakes, will be reunited with jockey Alan Garcia in the Fountain of Youth Stakes.

“Alan Garcia piloted Aikenite in all three of his Grade 1 races – the Hopeful, Dixianna Breeders’ Futurity and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. We believe our colt will be a sharper horse after his mile run in the Holy Bull Stakes," said Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president. “We feel he did not benefit from being part of a hotly contested first half mile in that race. We expect to employ his usual come-from-behind tactic in the mile-and-an-eighth Fountain of Youth."

Aikenite won or placed in his first three races but has finished off the board in his last two starts. The dark bay Florida-bred colt was purchased for $225,000 at the Ocala Breeders Sales Company’s February-select 2-year-olds-in-training sale from the consignment of Eisaman Equine. Next Saturday’s race will be a pivotal contest and will play a role in determining what horses will contest in the Triple Crown races. Aikenite has lifetime earnings of $226,000.

“The race (Fountain of Youth) will have some heavy heads in it as one would expect, but we think our horse will be right there," said Campbell.

1/14/2010 - Dogwood Stable's Aikenite will be making his 3-year-old debut Jan. 23, in the 1-mile Grade 3 $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

"It's exciting to have a good 3-year-old, to have this type of anticipation, and it's delightful to have the horse named Aikenite at a time when Aiken is celebrating its 175th anniversary," said W. Cothhran Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

The dark bay, Florida-bred son of Yes It's True, is making his way along the Kentucky Derby trail, while under the care of 4-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Todd Pletcher.

"It's a big day, and it will be good to get him started," said Campbell. "He's working well. He's not a horse who's going to run into the wall and catch a fly ball if he doesn't have to. He does what he needs to do."

Aikenite worked three-quarters-of-a-mile on Monday in 1:16 3/5, with 2-time Eclipse Award winning jockey John Velazquez, who has been reunited with the horse, in the irons. Alan Garcia rode Aikenite to a fifth place finish in the Grade 1 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 7. He will work five-eights-of-a-mile in company either Sunday or Monday.

"Todd felt Johnny Velazquez restrained him a little too much during the early part of it," said Campbell. "He finished up well, and he galloped out a mile in 1:44. He got a lot out of it."

The Grade 2 Fountain of Youth will most likely be the next race Aikenite is pointed toward.

"That most likely would be his next step, no matter where he finishes," said Campbell. "I think he'll run well, he has never failed to."

Aikenite's sire Yes It's True was a sprinter, but the bottom half of his pedigree is deep with stamina, providing him with the necessary attributes of a horse that has been bred to go two turns and will be able to handle the Classic distances, said Campbell.

"He looks the part and acts the part," said Campbell. "He's a horse who's easy on himself and relaxes when you want him to. When you ask him to go, he'll go. We've run against one horse who I think was a better horse, and that was Lookin at Lucky."

1/11/2010 - Spring Hill Farm’s A Little Warm followed up on his impressive debut where he broke his maiden by 10 3/4 lengths at Philadelphia Park on Nov. 23, to win the 6-furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park by 1 1/2 lengths. The Spring Hill homebred is by Stormin Fever, who was broken and trained in Aiken and is conditioned by Anthony Dutrow. A Little Warm was one of 25 2-year-old winners broken and trained in 2009 by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Lansdon Robbins III and Az Azalea Stable’s Fuzzy Britches, an Aiken Trials alumnus, won a 6-furlong starter allowance race Wednesday at Aqueduct and raced back three days later, finishing second Saturday at Aqueduct in the Busanda Stakes. The 3-year-old filly is conditioned by Richard Dutrow and was one of the 25 juvenile winners conditioned in Aiken by Stevens.

Dogwood Stable’s Humble Pie won a 1-mile race Friday at Laurel. The 5-year-old Johannesburg gelding is trained by Christopher Grove.

Edward Evans’ Spring Hill Farm and Stonerside Stable were the fifth and seventh leading individual breeders in North America, with earnings of $4,356,533 and $4,064,060 respectively. Stonerside was the seventh leading breeder including those horses bred in partnership with earnings of $4,825,395, and Edward Evans was ninth, no horses bred in partnership, with earnings of $4,356,533.

The Maktoum family’s Godolphin Stable is a finalist for an Eclipse Award in the outstanding owner category. His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, owns Darley Stable, whose horses train at the Aiken Training Track. Spring Hill Farm’s Quality Road is a finalist for outstanding 3-year-old male horse. Sherry Fenwick’s Confined, bred by Jonathan Sheppard and Warren Dempsey, is the 2009 National Steeplechase Association Champion Mare.

1/02/2010 - He became a millionaire in 2009 and will be working toward adding to his career earnings in 2010 as an 8-year-old. Fox Ridge Farm’s Naughty New Yorker placed second in the 1 1/16-miles Alex M. Robb Handicap Dec. 27 at Aqueduct, a race the son of Quiet American won in 2006 and 2007, and finished second in during his sophomore campaign in 2005.

The New York-bred horse was trained in Aiken by Sally Cluff.

Naughty New Yorker has made all but one of his starts in New York, 53 of his 54 lifetime contests, with his lone race outside of the Empire State at the Meadowlands, and the graded stakes winner has won 11 stakes races during his career. He’s trained by Pat Kelly.

“Naughty New Yorker caught a muddy track again (he ran in four stakes in 2009 over off tracks including his performance in the Alex M. Robb)," said Kelly. “He gave it a try against New York-breds, and raced well. It’s been a long time since he’s won a race in the mud. He hasn’t won a race in the mud since he was 2 years old."

The bay horse broke his maiden by 18 1/2-lenghts over a muddy track on Nov. 12, 2004 at Aqueduct as a juvenile. The durable campaigner has now bankrolled $1,041,244, and came out of the race in good order, said Kelly. He will pointed to a stakes races in January, possibly the Evening Attire Stakes, a race named after a horse trained by Kelly.