Dress for spring weather at Trials

The first jewel of the Aiken Triple Crown will be welcomed with a sunny sky and mild temperatures.

Saturday's forecast for the 68th running of the Aiken Trials calls for a partly to mostly cloudy sky with a high of 64 degrees, according to George Myers, meteorologist with WJBF News Channel 6.

"It seems like most of the rain will be out of here over the next few days," he said.

Myers said those planning to attend should dress for spring weather, wearing a light jacket in the morning and short-sleeve shirts throughout the afternoon when it warms.

The Trials will be held at the Aiken Training Track, 538 Two Notch Road S.E. Gates will open at 10 a.m. with the horse and carriage parade scheduled for 1 p.m. The first race will start at 2 p.m.

Nikki Bargeloh, with the Aiken Training Track, said the event will be held regardless of rain. It rained at last year's Trials, Bargeloh said.

"It's rain or shine, as long as there are not any thunderstorms," she said.

Bargeloh said tents and umbrellas are not allowed at the event because they frighten the horses. In the event that the forecast changes, she encourages spectators to bring along ponchos to the event.

The 2010 Aiken Trials will benefit the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum and Aiken Land Conservancy.

Bargeloh said there are only a few rail-side parking tickets left, as of Wednesday afternoon. She said there are plenty of general admission tickets available for $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. The tickets can also be purchased at the Aiken Training Track, AllStar Rents Inc., H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, Aiken Saddlery & Supply, Anything Goes Gifts of North Augusta and Boots Bridles and Britches of Aiken and Grovetown. Tickets can also be bought online at www.tixonline.com or charge by phone at (803) 278-4849.

Bargeloh said advance tickets can be purchased through Friday.

The event is being sponsored by AllStar Rents Inc., Meybohm Realtors, VistaBank, Atlantic Broadband, Boots, Bridles and Britches, The Aiken Horse magazine and Bud Light.

For more information on the Aiken Trials, call 648-4631 or e-mail aikentt@bellsouth.net

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.