Drive Joy Injured in the Polla de Potrillos, Out for Remainder of 2025

The Fortify colt suffered a fracture to the third carpal bone in his right knee and will be sidelined for several months

Drive Joy Emerges as a Leading Contender for Horse of the Year / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Bad news emerged from Stud Firmamento on Monday with the injury to Drive Joy, just hours after his brilliant runner-up finish in the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (G1) on Saturday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, where he went down by just a neck to Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) after a sustained battle throughout the stretch.

According to Ezequiel Valle, part of Juan Carlos Bagó’s team, the chestnut colt was observed lame with a swollen knee, prompting immediate examination, which revealed a fracture of the third carpal bone.

“Without a doubt, the problem occurred during the race,” Valle explained. “These things happen, and while we’re used to them, it still hurts—especially losing the Polla. Surgery or casting isn’t needed; he just needs time to heal.”

Valle also confirmed that Drive Joy will be sidelined for the remainder of the season, with plans to return fully next year, removing one of the generation’s top contenders from active competition for now.

A son of Fortify out of the French mare Zip Drive (City Zip) and trained by Carlos D. Etchechoury, Drive Joy debuted at the end of January, finishing second to Full Keynote (Full Mast), then quickly broke his maiden over Amuni (Tetaze)by three lengths on the San Isidro turf.

The colt made his stakes debut in the Raúl and Raúl E. Chevalier (G2) with success, edging Real Rim (Remote) by a length, with Liberto (Hurricane Cat) third and Full Keynote fourth. He then contested the Gran Premio Gran Criterium (G1), finishing third behind Ardiendo (Remote) and Es Por Amor (Strategos), before closing his two-year-old campaign with a statement win in the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1) over a mile on Palermo’s dirt, defeating the formidable Amor de Contramano (Gouverneur Morris). On Saturday, he was second to Gardel Pass, showing he remains among the elite of his generation.

One of the leading candidates for the 2025 Champion Two-Year-Old Colt title, Drive Joy will return in several months, aiming to make up for lost time and prove his quality to all.