Heading to the Aiken Trials? Keep these points in mind

The Aiken Trials are ready to run. Here's a brief rundown of points for spectators to keep in mind.

* Gates open at 10 a.m. today at the Aiken Training Track, 538 Two Notch Road S.E.

* Opening ceremonies and the carriage parade begin at 1 p.m. today. Post time for the first race is 2 p.m.

* Infield rail, second- and third-row tickets are available online at www.tixonline.com. Outfield second- and third-row tickets are $75 and $70; infield tickets are $100.

* General admission tickets are $15 at the gate; general admission parking tickets are $15 at the gate. Outfield general admission parking can be reached via Two Notch Road; infield general parking can be reached via Audubon Drive.

* Weather predictions call for mostly cloudy skies with a high of 66, according to Accuweather.

* Dogs, canopies and pop-up tents are not allowed at the track.

* There will be no tent party this year. Individual sponsors will have cabanas near the finish line.

* This is the 68th running of the Aiken Trials, which began in 1942; it is the first leg of Aiken's Triple Crown and is followed by the Aiken Steeplechase and Aiken Polo over the next two weekends.

* The Trials consists of six races, five for 2-year-olds and one for older horses.

* Proceeds from the Trials benefit the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum and the Aiken Land Conservancy.

* Event sponsors include AllStar Rents Inc., Meybohm Realtors, VistaBank, Atlantic Broadband, Boots, Bridles & Britches, The Aiken Horse magazine and Bud Light.

More information is available online at www.theaikentrainingtrack.com.

Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.