Kim Baker, riding Mrs. Coolidge (from left); Ismael Martinez, on Gold Touch; and Luch Fenstermacher, on Distinctive Kitten, run neck-and-neck in Saturday's Coward Trophy race at the Aiken Trials. Gold Touch won. CHRIS THELEN/STAFF

With 10,000 to 12,000 people gathered at the track Saturday for the 60th running of the Aiken Trials, the first jewel of Aiken's Triple Crown, getting a good seat took smarts and a soldering iron.

Longtime Trials fan and 79-year-old Trenton resident Bubba Posey had both.

He asked a friend to build two rows of a bleacher from scrap metal, and Mr. Posey placed it in the bed of his brown El Camino.

On Saturday he was sitting on those bleachers, about 50 yards back from the rail, without a complaint.

And because his vision was unimpaired, he didn't want to move closer.

"You don't want to get dirt thrown all over you," he said.

The trials are designed to put young thoroughbreds in front of a crowd and give their trainers and owners a chance to test their skills.

Fans pay $8 to $75 for a prime parking spot next to the rail to play their part.

"We have to provide the atmosphere," Aiken resident Barbara Sharpe said as she leaned against the rail during a break in the races.

The trade-off for playing their role is the chance for fans to bring their best fixins and be seen at one of Aiken's most important events of the year.

Aiken resident Marvin Valentine had the most unique spread by far.

He and a few friends threw some spare metal together to build a smoker that on Saturday cooked chicken, ribs and garlic bread for 30-45 people.

Mr. Valentine said he only brings out the contraption a few times a year for the Trials and some trips to the lake.

Attached to the smoker were two refrigerated compartments for meat and drinks. And the cutting boards were made out of an oak tree Mr. Valentine split.

"Can't find one like it in the world," Mr. Valentine said. "The chicken is so tender when it comes off that when you look at it, it falls off the bone."

NEXT WEEK

The next Triple Crown race will be Saturday. The Aiken Steeplechase will be held at Ford Conger Field. Post time is 1 p.m.

The Aiken Harness Race will be March 30 at McGhee's Mile Track. Post time is 1 p.m.

Reach Matthew Boedy at (803) 648-1395 or matthew.boedy@augustachronicle.com