John Sadler has had a hot stable of late, taking the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and Grade 3 Derby Trial. Sadler is well known on the west coast and those on the east coast will soon know his name of they do not already. Some of his best runners include Hurricane Ike, Sidney’s Candy, Line of David, and Evita Argentina.

Dave in Dixie has flashed plenty of talent. He won first out and was then thrashed in his next start against graded company. He rallied to finish second behind Caracortado in the Robert Lewis Stakes earlier this year. It’s tough to say how he will fare against top competition in the Belmont Stakes. You  certainly have to think he is on the outside looking in.

Dave in Dixie is a son of Dixie Union and out of a Wavering Monarch mare. Distance shouldn’t be a problem. However, class could be. This colt hasn’t been able to truly answer the bell in stakes company. Jockey Calvin Borel will be an asset as he tries to do so in the Belmont Stakes. Borel is riding hot right now and he fits the colts  running style very well.

It would take a monumental effort for Dave in Dixie to win the Belmont Stakes. He could hit the board though. What do YOU think?

The Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes has been very strong in recent years. Some of the recent winners include Pioneerof The Nile, Crown of Thorns, Great Hunter, and Declan’s Moon. The race is contested at 8.5 furlongs over the main track at Santa Anita. The field is left short at just 5 horses this year after draining problems caused it to be canceled when it was supposed to run last weekend.

Bob Baffert will attempt to win this race for the second year in a row and the fourth time overall with Tiz Chrome. The son of Tiznow won a minor stakes last out in a blistering time going 6.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park. He powered away to win by 4 lengths. Garrett Gomez will retain the mount. It will be interesting to see how he handles the distance. His pedigree suggests he won’t have any problems, but you never know.

Caracortado looks like a strong contender for trainer Michael Machowsky and jockey Paul Atkinson. He has won all four of his races. He has a versatile running style which will come in handy due to the short field in this event. The son of Cat Dreams rallied strongly last out to win a statebred stakes event by 1 3/4 lengths. La Nez finished third in that race and will be racing against Blind Luck in the Las Virgenes earlier on the card. If she fares well it would flatter the form of this gelding.

American Lion enters this race after a winning effort in the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue. The Eion Harty trainee broke onto the scene with a 6 3/4 length maiden special weight win at Keeneland. He is also a son of Tiznow like his rival Tiz Chrome. Julien Leparoux will pilot the colt. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if he was able to put together a big effort and win this race.

Dave In Dixie and Tango Tango round out the field. The latter ships in from Golden Gate and the prior was last seen finishing 6th in the Norfolk Stakes.

Who is your top selection for the Robert B. Lewis Stakes?