Events of the Triple Crown

4 The festivities begin Thursday with the Breakfast at the Gallops, a fund-raiser for the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, held at the Aiken Training Track’s clockers stand. Learn more about the sport of Thoroughbred racing as trainers based at the training facility discuss the sport and answer questions. The cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The event will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. For more information call 642-7650.

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

The Stable rate for the Starting Gate Party for the purchase of 10 tickets is $450 instead of $500.

4 The Aiken Trials are Saturday. Gates open at 10 a.m.. There will be a carriage parade at 1 p.m. and post time is at 2 p.m. General admission tickets to the event are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. General admission parking is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. General admission tickets can be purchased at the following locations: AllStar Rents Inc., H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, Aiken Saddlery & Supply, Women’s Echoes, Boots, Bridles & Britches and Anything Goes Gifts in North Augusta. Tickets can be purchased by calling 278-4TIX or through www.tixonline.com. For more information, visit www.theaikentrainingtrack.com.

4 The VIP Tent Party at the Trials will be Saturday. Watch the races live on TV. The buffet luncheon will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be an open bar, and music by the jazz ensemble Southern Nights. The cost is $90 in advance and $100 at the door. The VIP Tent Party will be held in proximity to the finish line providing spectators with an outstanding view.

4 The Aiken Steeplechase Association will host the gala A Spoonful of Sugar on Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. at Ford Conger Field. The black tie affair will be featuring music by Too Much Sylvia, with the proceeds going to benefit CanHope, an organization dedicated to assisting cancer patients by providing educational, emotional and financial support to those living in Aiken, Edgefield, Barnwell and Allendale Counties. The cost for a table of eight is $1,000 and for a table of 10 is $1,250, and tickets are $125 per person.

4 Gates open for the Aiken Steeplechase at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21 at Ford Conger Field. The meet features six races. The Village of Shops opens at 10 a.m.; the Guarantor Tent Party starts at 11 a.m.; post time for the first race is 1 p.m., with the carriage parade at 1:15 p.m. Once the races start, spectators will not be able to leave until after the fourth race or until traffic subsides. The general admission railside package is $150 and includes reserved railside parking and three general admission tickets. General admission second row tickets are $40 and reserve infield parking is $25. General admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the gate, children 6 and under are free.

Ticket outlets carrying general admission tickets include Aiken Drug, Aiken Saddlery, Boots, Bridles and Britches, Floyd & Green, Ingate Professional Pharmacy; Lominick Pharmacy, H. Odell Weeks Center; North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, Plum Pudding, Southern Bank and Trust, Southern Saddlery, Stoplight Deli and Unique Expressions.

For more information, call 648-9641 or visit www.aikensteeplechaseassociation.com.

4 Tickets to the Guarantor Tent Party at the Steeplechase are still available. Tickets on race day are $100, children 6-12 are $50. The tent party will be located by the finish line. A buffet luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., there will be an open bar, and live entertainment will be provided by Men of Distinction.

4 The Pacers and Polo match begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at Powderhouse Polo Field. The gates open at 11 a.m. Tickets at the gate are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Advance tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children.

General admission parking is $5 which includes a program. Some tickets for the VIP Hospitality Tenet may be available for $70 per person. It includes lunch, an open bar and parking.

Reserved railside parking is $100 and includes four tickets and programs. Tickets can be purchased at Aiken Drugs, Floyd & Green, USC Aiken Athletic Department, Lominck’s Drug Co. and H. Odell Weeks Activity Center. For information, call the USC Aiken Athletic Department at 641-3486.