Dave in Dixie starts campaign in Lewis

Four months after he finished sixth in the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita, Dave in Dixie resumes his career in Saturday's $150,000 Robert Lewis Stakes, the first stakes of 2010 for 3-year-olds around two turns in California.

The Grade 2 Lewis will be an important test for Dave in Dixie, who has made just two starts in his career, beginning with an impressive maiden win at Del Mar last summer.

Last fall, trainer John Sadler considered the Breeders' Cup Juvenile for Dave in Dixie but opted to skip that race after pre-entering the colt.

"I wanted to let him grow up, so we passed on the Breeders' Cup," Sadler said. "He's training well for his first start of the campaign."

The Lewis, which is run at 1 1/16 miles, is led by American Lion, winner of the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue Stakes oven seven furlongs in November, and Tiz Chrome, winner of the Stuka Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Hollywood Park in December. One entrant with success around two turns is Caracortado, who won the California Breeders' Champion Stakes here at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 26.

The other starters are Macias, Tango Tango, and Domonation.