last October, it was decided that there was
no better way to honor his legacy than to
refurbish the stand and dedicate it to his
memory.
In the week leading up to the Trials, there
are several events to whet the appetite for
all things Thoroughbred. There is a series
of lectures at the local racing museum
and the popular Breakfast at the Gallops
the morning before the Trials.
There is more on the menu in Aiken
than horses. A small but vibrant down-
town boasts shops and restaurants and
the popular "Alley" is home to live music,
whiskey tastings, and a farmers' market
throughout the week. Laurens Street is the
heart of the downtown area, and there you
could start your day with a visit to the New
Moon, which has been serving breakfast,
lunch, and afternoon lattes since 1995.
Owner Chris Sherer also operates Moon-
Beans, the coffee-roasting operation she
started in 1999 when she discovered that
the coffee beans she was buying involved
child labor. Over the years Sherer has
developed 25 roasts – ranging from the
wildly popular Kickersnoodle to the earthy
Dear Ella's blend. The food at the café is
as eclectic as the coffees: on any given
day you might find Ecuadorian popcorn
soup or the Thai grain bowl as the special.
One block down on Laurens is Malia's, an-
