John Hamilton, riding Kendrick, leads Chad Frederick on Sparky Diamond down the stretch during the City of Aiken Trophy. Kendrick won the trial. His jockey's second of the day. CHRIS THELEN/STAFF

In the six races at the Aiken Training Track, track owner Ron Stevens received his only first-place finish in the first race of the day - the 2-year-old maiden colts and geldings.

Kim Baker won that quarter-mile race on Mason City in 24 seconds. Second was Wild Quest, ridden by Ismael Martinez, while Firm Command, with John Hamilton up, was third.

Cot Campbell, president of Aiken's Dogwood Stable, which owns Mason City, said the victory for the colt took the pressure off for the rest of the day.

"The horse we were most anxious about to win did win," he said.

Stevens, who had four third-place finishes and one second-place finish, said his track was running slow - on purpose. Most races were two to three seconds off the track records.

"We keep it deep for training purposes," he said. "These horses running 49 (seconds) here would run 47 at Belmont."

Gold Touch and trainer Tim Jones won the second quarter-mile trial of 2-year-old maiden fillies in 24 2/5 seconds. Second was Distinctive Kitten with jockey Lucy Fenstermacher, with Mrs. Coolidge, ridden by Baker, third.

Hick Chick and trainer Robert Zahl won the third trial, the 2-year-old maidens in 24 3/5 seconds. Finishing second was High Watermark and jockey Ashley Wallick. Third was an unnamed horse trained by Ron Stevens.

Celestrial Moment, ridden by John Hamilton, won the fourth trial and first half-mile race of the day, which featured 3-year-old maiden fillies. The horse won with a time of 49 seconds, followed by Tippa Tippa Tae ridden by Chad Frederick and Naughty Naturally ridden by Niall Moran.

Broke the Record, ridden by Chad Frederick, won the fifth trial for 3-and-up maiden colts and geldings in 49 seconds. Second was Indougherty's Honor trained by Dolly Bostwick, and third was Rutledge Slew trained by Mr Stevens.

The featured sixth trial gave Bostwick her only winner of the day. Kendrick, ridden by John Hamilton, won at 48 seconds, with Canfield, trained by Stevens, second and Sparky Diamond, ridden by Chad Frederick, third.

Bostwick said her horse has raced only six times in his career, but that limited experience proved enough Saturday.

"He's a gamey horse," she said. "He's just a fun horse to have."

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