Dogwood Stable is best known for its horses that race on the flat, such as Palace Malice, Storm Song and Summer Squall.
The Aiken-based operation, however, also has campaigned steeplechasers for many years.
On Saturday, Dogwood plans to run Street Fight in the Grade 3 Budweiser Imperial Cup at the 49th annual Aiken Spring Steeplechase at the Aiken Horse Park. Last year, the bay gelding finished second in the 2-mile event over hurdles. Soon afterward, however, Street Fight injured a stifle and underwent surgery. After returning to training in October, he's ready to compete again.
"Street Fight is doing great," said Dogwood Stable President Cot Campbell. "He's in Camden with his trainer, Arch Kingsley. Two weeks ago, Arch said, 'I wish the Aiken Steeplechase was tomorrow.'"
Street Fight raced on the flat early in his career, and he has started only three times over jumps.
Before the 2014 Imperial Cup, he won a maiden jumping race by 3¾ lengths at the Aiken Fall Steeplechase in October 2013 and finished eighth in a jumping allowance race in Camden a month later. Right before Campbell sent Street Fight to Kingsley, the gelding finished fifth in a claiming race at the Saratoga Race Course in New York.
"I didn't think he was giving us everything he had, and he seemed bored," Campbell said. "I thought he might enjoy a career over jumps, and indeed, he did show an aptitude for it. We think he has great ability."
In 1987, Dogwood's Inlander won the Eclipse Award for champion steeplechase horse after capturing the Crown Royal Steeplechase Cup Handicap and the Colonial Cup Steeplechase Stakes. His other efforts included a runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Steeplechase Handicap.
"For some horses that run on the flat, steeplechasing is a natural way to prolong their career, and some of our partners enjoy it," Campbell said. "I like having one or two jumpers most of the time. I don't like the danger of steeplechasing, but I do like the ambience. The hunt meets are colorful, and the people involved are enthusiastic."
The gates will open at 9:30 a.m. for the Aiken Spring Steeplechase, and post time for the first race is 1 p.m.
Tickets are $25 each in advance and $35 at the gate. Admission is free for children under 10.
Guarantor Tent Party tickets are $125 per person or $475 for four people if they ride together in one car.
Railside and infield parking are sold out. Parking is available for $15 at the Powderhouse Polo Field at 931 Powderhouse Road and for $10 at the Aiken Training Track at 538 Two Notch Road. The Aiken Horse Park is adjacent to Powderhouse Road and Audubon Drive.
Dede Biles is a general assignment reporter.