(Camden) March 27, 2004 - They came by the thousands to Camden, South Carolina, to make a friendly bet on the races Saturday.

Loree Paschal remembers her first trip to the races, "In the first race I bet on Captain of Industry. I won $10."

But Judy Mims came to the Carolina Cup for a different reason, "I'm out here to have a good time, visit with friends, watch the races, drink some beer, show off my cool shades."

Judy has watched the races for years. She says tailgating at the event is a family tradition, "We send out invitations to friends and family, tell them when it is, what time we're going to meet."

But it's not all horse talk. It's all about fashion, big colorful hats, spring dresses and pink pumps for some.

Pam Nichols says the day before the race you'll find her at the mall preparing for the big day, "This is the jacket that I got the other day with palm trees and the sequence. You top it off with the matching palm tree earrings."

And as for the horse fans there was winner Saturday. Snuggles got to the line first and wins the Cup by a neck.

Judy says it was a perfect view, a scenario she says she'll repeat year after year, "I don't know the date, but we'll be back."

Most people say they'll be back in Camden for next year's Carolina Cup.

Reporting by Nicole Bell

Posted 7:15pm by Eva Pilgrim