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Aiken High inducts students into National Technical Honor Society
11/20/2009 5:26 PM
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Police nab final Aiken drive-by suspect
11/20/2009 5:26 PM
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Woman knits 200 caps for charity
11/20/2009 5:26 PM
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ACSO investigating suspicious death
11/20/2009 8:21 AM
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Unprofessional behavior plagues SRS
11/19/2009 5:24 PM
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Atlantic keeps families in touch
11/19/2009 5:24 PM
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Commission shoots down zoning for 'sporting park'
11/19/2009 5:25 PM
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Aiken-raised author brings up topic of race
11/19/2009 4:26 PM
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National parks delegates meeting in Aiken
11/19/2009 4:26 PM
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Havoc comes to enchanted land in educator's 22nd production
11/19/2009 4:26 PM
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Columnist offers CSRA read
11/19/2009 3:45 PM
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Course teaches officers how to better detect drunken drivers
11/19/2009 4:27 PM
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Couple to sign books on South
11/19/2009 3:45 PM
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Horse clinic to address shots, saddles, more
11/19/2009 3:44 PM
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Seniors get crash course in politics
11/19/2009 3:44 PM
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N.A. officer arrested, suspended
11/18/2009 6:27 PM
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SPCA brings Santa in for pet pictures
11/18/2009 9:39 PM
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Local news in brief for Nov. 19
11/18/2009 9:38 PM
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Solicitor eyes vacant library wing for expanded offices
11/18/2009 5:45 PM
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Today is the day to kick the habit
11/18/2009 5:46 PM
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Schools will offer swine flu vaccine
11/18/2009 5:46 PM
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School district gets good evaluation
11/18/2009 5:06 PM
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'Much Ado' production has enthusiastic audiences
11/18/2009 5:06 PM
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ADDA unveils new medallion
11/18/2009 3:32 PM
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'Battle' to help Child Advocacy Center
11/18/2009 3:33 PM
Local horse Aikenite looks for big win
11/3/2009 4:59 PM
2 comment(s) on this story 
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His owner describes him as an affable horse - a pleasant sort of fellow who quietly goes about his business. But when he makes his move in a race, the horse named for his adopted hometown explodes down the track with the strength and grace only a few athletes possess.
Aikenite.
It may be a name the world is talking about come Derby time, and he hails from our own Dogwood Stables.
Saturday will be an important test - the $2 million Breeders' Cup at the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
After a strong second place showing at Dixiana Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., Aikenite is a serious contender for the race that will pit the world's fastest 2-year-olds against each other in a 1-1/16 mile race.
A win might clinch the Eclipse Award for Two-Year-Old Champion Colt, said Cot Campbell, owner of Dogwood Stables.
And then if all goes well it will be on to the Kentucky Derby in May.
Another Summer Squall - the great Dogwood Stables horse who went on to win the Preakness in 1990?
Maybe, Campbell said.
He paid $225,000 for the horse who today is valued at $1 million to $1.5 million. A win Saturday will take that even higher and make him a strong Derby contender.
Campbell said he picked the name Aikenite for the big strapping horse he took a shine to at an auction in Florida in February.
"I always thought Aikenite would be a good name for a horse," he said.
But it's risky naming a horse for your hometown. "Sometimes it doesn't work out."
Still, he saw something special in the horse.
"I know he's a good horse," he said. And he's the horse who deserved the special name. "It's a sharp name that cracks off the tongue and is easy to say."
Aiken is a special place, he said. The diversity brought to the community through the equine industry sets it apart. And having a champion bear the city's name will only help promote the city and draw attention to the horse industry.
This week signs reading "Go Aikenite" began appearing around town. And a few lucky people are sporting T-shirts with Aikenite's name. And it's a good bet that many locals will be crowded around their television sets for Saturday's 3:49 p.m. post time on ESPN.
"The goal is to win a gigantic race and strike a blow for Dogwood."
And this is a horse that just might do that.
Aikenite proved what kind of racer he was at Keeneland. Through most of the race he ran on the outside back in the pack. And then with a burst of speed that set him apart from the rest, Aikenite pulled up to the front to take second by just a half-length.
"Aikenite ran a fabulous race and almost got the winner's purse. It was a 14-horse field and it looked like a cavalry charge coming down the stretch. Our colt was five-wide for most of the race, yet was only beaten by a half-length. It was a very impressive effort - in what was only his third career start," Campbell said.
He likes the horse's racing style. "I prefer ones who try to conserve then make a run."
And how does he describe Aikenite's personality?
"He would be earnest. He would be affable. Not an edgy, nippy kind of horse."
His workout still is equally as laid-back. He works hard, but it's more to get the job done.
"He knows the difference between a workout in the morning and a race in the afternoon," Campbell said.
Aikenite goes into Saturday's race as the third seed, according to the official oddsmaker, he said.
Campbell will be at the race. He said he'll be nervous. "It will be stressful. This is a big deal."
Watch Aikenite at the Breeders' FuturityHow to watch Aikenite on Saturday• Aikenite is running in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile race.• Coverage of the Breeders' Cup begins on ABC at 1 p.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. ESPN picks up the coverage at 3:30 p.m., lasting until 7 p.m. Post time for Aikenite's race is 3:49 p.m.What people are saying about Aikenite"Perhaps the most intriguing Breeders' Futurity participant is runner-up Aikenite, who had to weave his way through a large field that day and in the Hopeful S. at Saratoga to nab minor shares in both. His pedigree is a bit speed-oriented as well, but that might be offset to some extent by his late-closing tendencies. So far, he's been able to run on anything at any distance - a useful animal indeed."- Vance Hanson in Bloodstock Journal
"He ran a big race time, showed he could handle the synthetics in the Breeders' Futurity. He's definitely improving race-by-race."- Todd Pletcher, Aikenite's Trainer
"Others to watch for include Aikenite who has 2 consecutive runner-up finishes with 1 coming over the synthetic surface at Keeneland in the Grade-1 Breeders' Futurity. Aikenite looks for a breakthrough effort. If he has a clean trip, this horse just might deliver."- George Pepis, Horse Racing News
Aikenite's bona fides• 2-year-old• Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher• Jockey: Alan Garcia• Owner: Dogwood Stables• Sire: Yes It’s True• Dam: Silverlado• 2009 Earnings: $163,000• 2009 Record: Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland – 2nd place; Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga – 3rd place; Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga – 1st place.
11/3/2009 4:59 PM
2 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friendHis owner describes him as an affable horse - a pleasant sort of fellow who quietly goes about his business. But when he makes his move in a race, the horse named for his adopted hometown explodes down the track with the strength and grace only a few athletes possess.
Aikenite.
It may be a name the world is talking about come Derby time, and he hails from our own Dogwood Stables.
Saturday will be an important test - the $2 million Breeders' Cup at the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
After a strong second place showing at Dixiana Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., Aikenite is a serious contender for the race that will pit the world's fastest 2-year-olds against each other in a 1-1/16 mile race.
A win might clinch the Eclipse Award for Two-Year-Old Champion Colt, said Cot Campbell, owner of Dogwood Stables.
And then if all goes well it will be on to the Kentucky Derby in May.
Another Summer Squall - the great Dogwood Stables horse who went on to win the Preakness in 1990?
Maybe, Campbell said.
He paid $225,000 for the horse who today is valued at $1 million to $1.5 million. A win Saturday will take that even higher and make him a strong Derby contender.
Campbell said he picked the name Aikenite for the big strapping horse he took a shine to at an auction in Florida in February.
"I always thought Aikenite would be a good name for a horse," he said.
But it's risky naming a horse for your hometown. "Sometimes it doesn't work out."
Still, he saw something special in the horse.
"I know he's a good horse," he said. And he's the horse who deserved the special name. "It's a sharp name that cracks off the tongue and is easy to say."
Aiken is a special place, he said. The diversity brought to the community through the equine industry sets it apart. And having a champion bear the city's name will only help promote the city and draw attention to the horse industry.
This week signs reading "Go Aikenite" began appearing around town. And a few lucky people are sporting T-shirts with Aikenite's name. And it's a good bet that many locals will be crowded around their television sets for Saturday's 3:49 p.m. post time on ESPN.
"The goal is to win a gigantic race and strike a blow for Dogwood."
And this is a horse that just might do that.
Aikenite proved what kind of racer he was at Keeneland. Through most of the race he ran on the outside back in the pack. And then with a burst of speed that set him apart from the rest, Aikenite pulled up to the front to take second by just a half-length.
"Aikenite ran a fabulous race and almost got the winner's purse. It was a 14-horse field and it looked like a cavalry charge coming down the stretch. Our colt was five-wide for most of the race, yet was only beaten by a half-length. It was a very impressive effort - in what was only his third career start," Campbell said.
He likes the horse's racing style. "I prefer ones who try to conserve then make a run."
And how does he describe Aikenite's personality?
"He would be earnest. He would be affable. Not an edgy, nippy kind of horse."
His workout still is equally as laid-back. He works hard, but it's more to get the job done.
"He knows the difference between a workout in the morning and a race in the afternoon," Campbell said.
Aikenite goes into Saturday's race as the third seed, according to the official oddsmaker, he said.
Campbell will be at the race. He said he'll be nervous. "It will be stressful. This is a big deal."
Watch Aikenite at the Breeders' FuturityHow to watch Aikenite on Saturday• Aikenite is running in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile race.• Coverage of the Breeders' Cup begins on ABC at 1 p.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. ESPN picks up the coverage at 3:30 p.m., lasting until 7 p.m. Post time for Aikenite's race is 3:49 p.m.What people are saying about Aikenite"Perhaps the most intriguing Breeders' Futurity participant is runner-up Aikenite, who had to weave his way through a large field that day and in the Hopeful S. at Saratoga to nab minor shares in both. His pedigree is a bit speed-oriented as well, but that might be offset to some extent by his late-closing tendencies. So far, he's been able to run on anything at any distance - a useful animal indeed."- Vance Hanson in Bloodstock Journal
"He ran a big race time, showed he could handle the synthetics in the Breeders' Futurity. He's definitely improving race-by-race."- Todd Pletcher, Aikenite's Trainer
"Others to watch for include Aikenite who has 2 consecutive runner-up finishes with 1 coming over the synthetic surface at Keeneland in the Grade-1 Breeders' Futurity. Aikenite looks for a breakthrough effort. If he has a clean trip, this horse just might deliver."- George Pepis, Horse Racing News
Aikenite's bona fides• 2-year-old• Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher• Jockey: Alan Garcia• Owner: Dogwood Stables• Sire: Yes It’s True• Dam: Silverlado• 2009 Earnings: $163,000• 2009 Record: Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland – 2nd place; Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga – 3rd place; Maiden Special Weight at Saratoga – 1st place.
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2 comment(s) on this story : 11/3/2009
What an awesome horse and I love the name AIKENITE - that's an excellent race horse name - Good luck to all of you - :)
: 11/3/2009
Go Aikenite! You'll do Aiken proud.
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