The harder we work, the luckier we are.
Gamblers and risk takers depend on Lady Luck. She is certainly present at the Aiken Trials in March each year as friendly $1 side bets take place on each of the six horse races. The first race starts at 1 pm, but the gates open at 10 am so that cars can find their parking spots. Creative hosts set up banquet tables with extravagant décor and picnic fare, hoping to capture the first place prize. 10,000 people settle in for a day of outdoor enjoyment with family and friends.
Our daughters went to their first Trials with friends from college during their 2006 Spring Break. They thought the event would be like the Kentucky Derby they had seen on television, so they wore sundresses, heels, and fancy hats, certain that they would fit right in. Grandpa made sure there were blankets and jackets in case the morning air was too chilly. By the end of the day, which is usually 5 pm, their shoulders were sun-kissed and their shoes were kicked off.
Our middle daughter decided to attend college at Coastal Carolina because she was enamored with South Carolina. She liked the idea that her grandparents lived close by, in Aiken, where she could visit regularly. She has been to the Trials a dozen times, and her grandparents were delighted to have her close enough for a weekend escape whenever she needed one. My first time at the Trials was ten years ago with my daughter. We had recently purchased a home in Charleston, so it was time for me to be introduced to the festive annual events. We joined a group of neighbors from Woodside Plantation for a fabulous picnic that included fine wine and decadent desserts. These friends have invited us to join them every year, and to spend the night with them now that we no longer have family in Aiken.
The Trials began in 1942 as a way to give young thoroughbred horses their first experience with live racing. Aiken has several horse farms and a training facility where champions are groomed, and the spring weather in South Carolina is perfect for hosting a Triple Crown of events on three consecutive Saturdays in March. First is the Trials, then Steeple Chase, and the last is the Pacers & Polo Match.
The Trials consist of six races with two-year-old horses and maidens that have never won a race. The races are spaced more than 30 minutes apart so that attendees have time to look at the horses and jockeys. Our eyes were always on the horses from the Dogwood Stables because the grandparents took the girls there for a visit whenever we were in town. I tend to bet on the horses with the most interesting names, like “Palace Malice,” and usually lose. Who would think that a “Concrete Rose” would be speedy enough to make it to the big-time races? My daughters were better than I at betting, or perhaps they were just plain lucky.
The Trials jockeys are local exercise riders who have worked hard throughout the year to get the horses into tip-top shape. As my hubby says, “The harder you work, the luckier you will get.” I got a picture with Mario Lopez. He was the winning jockey of three races out of six one year. No, he was not the Mario of “Saved by the Bell” fame, but he was super cute. There are some excellent women jockeys who have won races as well.
I believe it was in 2018 that the Trials fell on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. We were all looking for the pot of gold and found it in the dish of golden fried chicken that our dear friend makes every year. There were deviled eggs, baked beans, crudités, fresh fruit salads, and gooey chocolate brownies. People never go home hungry even if they lose all their singles when betting on races.
2018 was the first year that my baby granddaughter attended, making her the 4th generation of Aiken Trials enthusiasts. We dressed in seven shades of green and brought hats for everyone at our banquet table. We all entered the hat competition and did our best to smile at the judges while sashaying by, but we lost to a much younger and prettier girl. My granddaughter will have a chance at that prize someday.
There are fun things for children to see and do at the Trials. Venders have equestrian goods, and we bought a plush pony for the baby. The pony races, featuring ponies ridden by children, are always fun. And there is always a pre-Trials parade with carriages and riders in period costumes.
Sadly, the Trials and the whole Triple Crown is canceled for 2021. The committee thought it wise to wait until the pandemic is over, and I would agree that we do not want to be super-spreaders while crowding at the rails to cheer for our horses.
We feel very lucky to have had many years of Trials that brought us together with wonderful people. Although it has sometimes been rainy and chilly and muddy, that has never stopped us from holding onto the traditions.
