Willyam’s DHARMA INITIATIVE flies home

By ITCH

The last shall be first.

Willyam’s DHARMA INITIATIVE passed every horse in the Grade 2 Saints Handicap, treating Louisiana racing fans to a spectacular last-to-first victory. This supremely talented 4yo by Mineshaft possesses an extraordinary late kick, and used it beautifully in the Saints Handicap to make up almost 14 lengths on the field from the second call home.

The bell rang, the gates sprung open and Dharma barely seemed to mind. He dawdled out of the gate, not even bothering to keep up with the horse in next-to-last place. In the early stages, Dharma fell back, then fell back some more. He was almost two lengths behind the horse in next-to-last place. It wasn’t until very late that he started his run. He was still 12th at the third call!

However, by midstretch, Dharma Initiative caught the eye down on the rail and looked like he could pass them all. He did, and was drawing away at the wire for the first graded score of what could pan out to a spectacular Sim career. Dharma looks like he is sitting on a huge year. He got a great, big 110 speed figure for winning the Saints Handicap, posting his third 110-plus number of his last four races. This horse is just looking huge right now.

In winning, Dharma defeated the great GRACEPOINTE PRAYER, who struggled home 12th in the slop and showed why he never had raced in the off-going during his illustrious career. It was an ugly race for a beautiful horse, and Pazjazz is to be congratulated on his brilliant career.

Also to be congratulted is Maverick, whose CALIGULA’S RULES ran a stout race to be second and would have been the winner if not for the brilliant late run of Dharma Initiative. Our buddy Nextbonus completed the trifecta with B MINUS.