American Lion stretches out in Lewis

Last updated: 2/3/10 7:03 PM

American Lion stretches out in Lewis

American Lion will stretch
out to two turns in the Lewis
(Benoit Photos)

AMERICAN LION (Tiznow) will make his two-turn
debut Saturday while taking on six rivals in the $150,000
Robert B. Lewis
S. (G2) at Santa Anita. The 1 1/16-mile event is a major prep for the
$750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 3.

American Lion ran second in his debut for trainer Richard Budge
before being transferred to Eoin Harty for his past two races under
Julien Leparoux, who stays aboard in the Lewis. The bay colt followed a
6 3/4-length maiden win with a half-length victory in the Hollywood
Prevue S. (G3) last time out, both going seven furlongs.

Among those American Lion will face in the Lewis is CARACORTADO (Cat Dreams),
who faces his stiffest test yet while putting his unbeaten record on
the line.

“He has been a surprise,” trainer Mike Machowsky admitted of the
chestnut, who began his career winning a $40,000 maiden claiming race going a
half-mile at Fairplex Park.

Since that dirt race, Caracortado has raced exclusively on synthetics, taking
a pair of allowances on the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park and posting a 1
3/4-length score in in the
California Breeders’ Champion S. while stretching out to 8 1/2 furlongs for the
first time over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride. Paul Atkinson
has been aboard for each start and retains the mount here.

“When you start off running a horse a half-mile, you’re not sure what to
expect down the line,” Machowsky continued. “But every time I’ve asked the horse
to do something, he’s done it.”

What Caracortado will have to do Saturday is hold off the likes of TIZ CHROME
(Tiznow), DOMONATION (Maria’s Mon)
and DAVE IN DIXIE (Dixie Union). The former exits a four-length score in
the December 19 Stuka S., his first start for Bob Baffert, and the unbeaten colt will retain the services of Garrett Gomez in his graded debut.

Domonation is still just a maiden scorer, but has shown improvement in his
two starts since that win. Second in the Stuka, the John
Sadler trainee got up for third in the San Rafael S. (G3) to open his sophomore
account. Joseph Talamo will take over riding duties from Joel Rosario, who shows
up aboard close Norfolk S. (G1) sixth Dave in Dixie.

Dual stakes winner and Hollywood Prevue fourth MACIAS (Purge), and TANGO TANGO (Orientate) round out the Lewis field.