Drive Joy Claimed Another Edition of the Clásico Perú, the Race That Never Disappoints
- Turf Diario
- hace 2 días
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The heavy favorite had to give everything he had to hold off the surprising Hop On by a nose, securing his fourth graded stakes victory
The Clásico Perú (G2) is one of those events on the racing calendar that almost never disappoints. The 2026 edition proved no exception to the rule, treating fans to a spectacular finish in which the heavy favorite Drive Joy ultimately achieved his objective, albeit with no shortage of drama.
Along the way, the Firmamento champion crossed paths with a fierce challenger in Hop On (Endorsement), who sold his defeat dearly and delivered a career-best performance after stepping up from handicap company, where he had been virtually unassailable in recent outings against much softer competition.
Following a fourth-place effort in the Gran Premio Estrellas Mile (G1) on the San Isidro turf, the son of Fortifyreturned to his most effective surface to shine beyond a mile for the first time in his career, successfully negotiating the 1800 meters and opening up exciting future possibilities for his connections, who now face a dual set of prospective paths: remaining in middle-distance events or setting their sights on the premier 2000-meter contests offered at Palermo each first half of the year.
Ridden by Martín Valle, the chestnut did not give up a single inch of ground while saved on the rail throughout, as Western Orpen (Orpen) set the pace closely tracked by Hop On, with Nevado Catedral (Gouverneur Morris) and Aroma Rim (Remote) poised just behind.
After setting fractions of 24s93/100, 47s90/100, and 1m12s94/100, the field swung into the home stretch. There, Valleangled the winner off the inside and found a split to surge between the pacemaker and Nevado Catedral. It was a decisive move by the jockey, stealing the jump on Hop On and Speedmaster (Fortify), who lost precious ground while swinging wider off the turn.
By the 450-meter mark, Drive Joy had struck the front, and from that point on, it became a battle of raw determination. Speedmaster yielded first, but Hop On continued to fight to the very last stride, closing relentlessly to fall short by just a nose.
Two lengths further back, Speedmaster turned in a creditable effort in third, leaving Private Blend (Lucullan) another two lengths behind as he continues to collect solid placings at the top level. Tryman (Safety Check) managed to grab fifth, while Earth God (Cosmic Trigger), the reigning Champion Miler, proved to be one of the day's major disappointments, finishing sixth. The other contender who failed to live up to his credentials—once again—was Nevado Catedral, who seems to have lost the spark that highlighted his early-year campaign. The final time for the event was 1m49s56/100.
It was a stellar training job by Carlos D. Etchechoury to keep Drive Joy performing at the elite level for over a year in major stakes company, backed by two G1 triumphs in the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1) and the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1), not to mention his early-career victory in the Clásico Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier (G2) on the northern turf.
Drive Joy, who now boasts five victories from just ten starts, also finished second to Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) in the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (G1) and third in the Gran Premio Gran Criterium (G1), figures that only further reinforce his outstanding class.
The colt is the first foal produced in Argentina out of the French-bred mare Zip Drive (City Zip), a daughter of the notable Hi Dubai (Rahy), who won the Pretty Polly Stakes (L) in England and placed at the highest level when finishing second in the Prix Saint-Alary (G1) in France. Hi Dubai is a full sister to the formidable Fantastic Light, tracing back to a champion family that features Gorgeous (Slew O' Gold) and Golden Attraction (Mr. Prospector), among others.
