Graded Stakes Winner Aikenite Retired

Dogwood Stable’s Aikenite , a multiple graded stakes winner, has been retired from racing. Breeding plans are undecided.

“After a winter break in Aiken, he went back into training, but complications with his ankle made a 2012 campaign unrealistic,” said Dogwood president Cot Campbell. ”He has done quite a bit for us and it is time for stallion duty for the 5-year-old son of Yes It's True and the Saint Ballado mare Silverlado.”

Aikenite ran 23 times with five wins, four seconds, and three thirds, and earned $866,635. His best distances were from seven furlongs to a mile.

Dogwood bought Aikenite for $225,000 at the 2009 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company's February sale of 2-year-olds in training from Eisaman Bloodstock, agent. Aikenite’s time of :20 2/5 was the fastest for a quarter-mile at the sale.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Aikenite won as a 2-year-old at first asking at Saratoga. He then ran third in the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) at the Spa and second in the Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland. He was fifth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I).

At 3 Aikenite placed in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III). As a 4-year-old he captured the Commonwealth Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland, and the Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II), both at seven furlongs. He placed in that year’s Forego Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga and the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland.

“He’s been a lovely horse for Dogwood—happily enough, named for our hometown of Aiken, South Carolina,” Campbell said. “Aikenite has been reliable, uncomplicated, and is what a Thoroughbred race horse is supposed to look like.”

Aikenite was bred in Florida by BryLynn Farm. He will remain at Pletcher’s barn at Palm Meadows Training Center near Ocala.