Turning for home in the $200,000 Isaac Murphy Marathon, it looked like Parchment Party might put the race away in dominant fashion. By the eighth pole, the field had closed in—but as he has done time and again in marathon races, the classy stayer found more when it mattered most.

A winner of last summer’s Belmont Gold Cup (G3) by more than 8 lengths, Parchment Party once again showcased the qualities that have made him North America’s top dirt marathoner. Under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, the 5-year-old son of Constitution traveled comfortably throughout before making a sweeping 3-wide move around the final turn to take command.

That determination was on full display in the stretch. As challengers lined up behind him, Parchment Party dug in gamely and responded every time Velazquez asked, drawing away late to win the 1 1/2-mile Isaac Murphy Marathon by 1 1/4 lengths.

Parchment Party paid $4.52 as the favorite and clocked 2:31.51 over a sloppy, sealed track. Bill Mott trains Parchment Party for Pin Oak Stud, and Parchment Party, a 5-year-old son of Constitution and the Tiznow mare Life Well Lived, has become the leading long-distance dirt horse in North America.

Parchment Party first announced himself as a top-class stayer with his Belmont Gold Cup victory, earning a berth in Australia’s famed Melbourne Cup. While his dirt brilliance did not translate on turf overseas, Mott believes the horse has firmly established his niche in elite American dirt marathons.

Mott has indicated that future targets will focus on dirt races at 1 1/2 miles and beyond—distances at which Parchment Party continues to thrive. Earlier this week, the Hall of Fame trainer noted the horse may be even more effective at 1 3/4 miles.

Whether asked to grind rivals down or fend off late challengers, Parchment Party has consistently answered every test. He may not always win by open lengths, but in long-distance dirt races, he has proven exceptionally hard to beat.