I don't know how good Desert Party is but so far he's done everything asked of him. He looks like a route horse. I wouldn't expect him to be setting any track records sprinting. I'm impressed that he has enough tactical speed to stay close and win sprinting.
I was on the fence about the horse at the Fasig Tipton Calder Sale. He worked :10 2/5, which is decent but not incredible. There were at least 10-15 horses that worked faster. He almost looked like he was moving in slow-motion. He looked like he was working in :10 4/5. He had a nice way of going. He looked like a one-paced route horse. He moved evenly and did not look like he had any quick acceleration. As I said, I was on the fence. I had him down as a "maybe" on my list. I certainly wouldn't have paid $2 million for him. He looked like the type of horse that would go for $500,000 or so.
I'm impressed with what he's done so far. He looks like he wants to route, but he has enough class to win sprinting. I would not downgrade him for not scorching the track. I would have never expected him to scorch the track sprinting.
The connections have to be very pleased with what he's done so far.
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