The Aiken Training Track could boast a healthy crowd before 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16 when the pre-race ceremonies kicked off the 81st annual Aiken Trials.
Consisting of seven races ranging from ¼ mile to four and a half mile furlongs, the Trials marked the beginning of Aiken’s signature Triple Crown, a trio of equestrian events held every March on three consecutive Saturdays.
There are five eponymous trails, the Coward Trophy, the Gaver Trophy (also called the “Dr. Rebekah Brady Memorial Trophy,” named after Rebekah Edens Brady, a veterinarian with Southern Equine Service in Aiken, who died of illness in 2019 at 33), the Von Stade Trophy, the City of Aiken Trophy and the Iselin Hall of Fame Trophy.
In between the trophy races were the Leadline Pony Race and Ladies Side Saddle Race. A Best Tailgate Contest and Best Hat Contest rounded out the festivities.
The Triple Crown will continue next Saturday, March 23, with the 57th Aiken Spring Steeplechase, and the 19th annual Pacers and Polo event on March 30.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
