Training Center Corner –Aiken

By BEN BAUGH

The Aiken Training Track continues to produce positive results as nine stakes winners in 2007 have trained over the surface that has produced 38 champions. Edward S. Evans Christmas Kid, Giant Wrecker and Liquor Cabinet; Jay Em Ess Stable’s Arson Squad; Dogwood Stable’s Cotton Blossom; Manchester Farm’s Orange Crush and Stonerside Stable’s General Charley, Bold Angel and Speedway have all won stakes races this year.

Cyberflash who flashed his speed in winning the 2007 The City of Aiken Trophy during the Aiken Trials won a five-furlong allowance race on the turf at Indiana Downs on May 9. The Steve Epley, Jr. charge had Rodney Prescott in the irons and races in the silks of Nekia Farm.

Nekia Farm’s Private Nekia, who captured The Von Stade Trophy at the Aiken Trials, broke his maiden at Indiana Downs by seven lengths on May 2. The four year-old chestnut gelding by Horse Chestnut (SAF), is out of the Private Terms broodmare Make a Deal. Steve Epley, Jr. conditions Private Nekia..

Not Phone (ARG), who finished second in The City of Aiken Trophy at the Aiken Trials, finished second in a 6 ½-furlong race at Keeneland on April 26. The Kenneth McPeek charge races in the silks of Lansdon Robbins, III. Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens conditioned the son of Speakerphone.

Red Zipper won the state restricted 1 1/8-miles Kingston Handicap at Belmont Park May 13th. Golden Commander finished second. Red Zipper and Golden Commander had both trained at W.C. and Iris’ Chime Bell Farm. Red Zipper is trained by John Morrison and owned by Jeffrey Tucker, and Golden Commander is conditioned by Phil Serpe and races in the silks of Flying Zee Stable.

Virginia-bred Mini Sermon won a one-mile allowance race at Belmont Park on May 10. Owned and bred by Edward Evans’ Spring Hill Farm, the three year-old daughter of Pulpit drew off to win handily by 4 ¼-lengths with jockey John Velasquez in the irons. Mini Sermon is conditioned by three-time Eclipse Award winning Trainer Todd Pletcher. Mini Sermon was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens.

Flight Week broke his maiden May 11 at Arlington Park in a 1 1/16-miles race on the turf. Bred and campaigned by Edward Evans’ Spring Hill Farm, The four year-old roan son of Gone West had Rene Douglas in the irons.

Saywantenayo broke his maiden by 2 ½-lenghts in a 1 1/16-miles race at Churchill Downs on May 12. The Kenny McPeek charge was owned by Sam Delaney and Lansdon Robbins.

Stonerside Stable’s Dixie Quick collared the lead in the stretch at Arlington Park in a six-furlong race to break her maiden on May 5. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Dixie Union is conditioned by Mike Stidham.

Lansdon Robbins, III and Kevin Callahan’s Ice Cool Kitty won a one-mile allowance race by 6 ¾-lengths at Belmont Park on May 4. The four year-old New York-bred daughter of Tomorrow’s Cat is conditioned by Richard Dutrow, Jr., and was broken and trained in Aiken by Legacy Stable’s Ron Stevens. Ice Cool Kitty had also won a one-mile allowance race at Aqueduct on April 6.

Angelouie, a dark bay son of Johannesburg broke his maiden in a one-mile maiden special weight race at Belmont Park on May 5. The three year-old colt races in the silks of Golden Boy Racing, and is conditioned by Phil Serpe. Angelouie was conditioned at W.C. and Iris Freeman’s Chime Bell Farm.

Dogwood Stable’s Monk won a 5 ½-furlong race at Churchill Downs on May 13. The three year-old roan gelding by Buddha is trained by David Carroll.