AIKEN --- Amid the pounding of hooves on the dirt track, the cheers and the clapping, spectators at the 66th Aiken Trials sipped Bloody Marys and ignored the threat of thunderstorms Saturday.

"It's just like tailgating, but you're watching horses instead," said Ted Everett of Chipley, Fla.

Mr. Everett returned home this weekend to introduce his fiancee, Julie Prevatt, to his family's 37-year tradition of attending the trials.

"It seems to be one big cocktail party," Ms. Prevatt said as the family prepared to watch the first race of the day.

Mr. Everett and Ms. Prevatt joined Ted and Julie Bransome at the edge of the finish line to watch the first group of young horses run by.

While the families enjoy seeing friends in the area and having drinks together, they also enjoy watching the baby horses begin their racing career at the Aiken Training Track.

"This is an introduction to racing because there's a lot of people around, and they haven't had a lot of experience with that yet; they might get spooked." Dr. Bransome said. "Normally they're out here at 6 a.m."

Before the 2 p.m. races start, though, it's all about chilling out, said Martha and Rick Hatcher of Aiken.

"I love to watch the fashion," Mrs. Hatcher said.

"And the people," Mr. Hatcher interjected.

"I love to match the dress to the demeanor and what it says about that person," Mrs. Hatcher said.

Before races began, the couple picked a few favorites based on jockeys they knew.

"I drive by here every day on my way to work and see them training, so it's nice to finally see them in a race," she said.

The 42nd Aiken Steeplechase, the second leg of the Aiken Triple Crown, will take place Saturday, followed by Pacers and Polo, a polo match, on March 29.

Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.