First jewel of Triple Crown is Saturday

Tickets for the coveted infield and outfield rail spots at the Aiken Trails are selling briskly, so act fast.

As of presstime, a check of www.tixonline.com, the online ticket vendor for the 68th edition of the Aiken Trials, revealed there are only a handful of tickets left for infield and outfield rail spots. Both rail spots are $100 per ticket. Second and third row, general admission and general admission parking tickets are also available for purchase on the website. Gates open at 10 a.m. for the first leg of the Aiken Triple Crown.

Opening ceremonies with a carriage parade begin at 1 p.m., and post time for the first race is at 2 p.m.

Spectators are not permitted to bring their dogs, canopies or pop-up tents to the trials.

"The weather is going to be good so they won't need them," said co-chair Bernadette Clayton.

The National Weather Service is calling for partly sunny skies with a high of 68 degrees.

There will not be a tent party this year, but individual sponsors will have cabanas that are close to the finish line.

Tailgating is encouraged so pack up your picnic baskets, coolers, lawn chairs, blankets and beach towels.

Outfield general admission parking is accessible from Two Notch Road while infield parking is accessible from Audubon Drive.

Clayton said because the weather is expected to be so nice, organizers believe the crowd will reach the 10,000 mark or above.

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 also be purchased by calling 278-4TIX (4849) or at www.tixonline.com.

For more information, visit www.theaikentrainingtrack.com.