Drive Joy returns to the mile to reaffirm his dominance

Drive Joy, the two-year-old champion of 2025, heads the nine entrants in the Gran Premio Palermo (G1), which will kick off this Saturday’s sequence of top-level events on the Nacional program

With a brilliant season behind him, Drive Joy takes center stage as the headline act in the Gran Premio Palermo (G1-1,600m, dirt), the first of three Group 1 features scheduled for this Saturday’s marquee card at Hipódromo Palermo. A field of nine contestants will line up for the test, set for 5:00 PM, all looking to halt the momentum of Stud Firmamento’s standout performer.

Crowned Champion Two-Year-Old Male of his generation, the son of Fortify has continued to flourish since his breakthrough victory in the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1). In 2026, he added the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1) over this exact track and distance, before showcasing uncommon versatility by capturing the Clásico Perú (G2) at 1,800 meters and the Clásico Italia (G3) over 2,000 meters. He boasts six wins from eleven starts and has never finished worse than fourth. Martín Valle returns to the irons for trainer Carlos Daniel Etchechoury, fully intent on reaffirming his supremacy over the mile.

It promises to be far from a walkover, however. Among his chief rivals is Linguado (Cosmic Trigger), who was officially awarded the Polla de Potrillos (G1) following the disqualification of Fletcher (Gershwin). That performance thrust him into the spotlight of his generation, though his eleventh-place finish in the Jockey Club (G1)on the San Isidro turf proved a sharp disappointment. He now returns to the Palermo dirt and the 1,600-meter trip under Gustavo Calvente, eager to prove that his Polla success was no fluke.

Speedmaster (Fortify) commands equal respect. Impressive in both physical presence and natural ability, the son of Stay in the Glory breaks from post 2 with Juan Cruz Villagra, backed by a game victory in the Handicap Copa Regimiento de Infantería 1 Patricios. He has already tested the waters in stakes company, including a fifth-place effort in the Clásico Otoño (G2) and a third-place finish behind Drive Joy in the Perú. With five wins from nine outings, he clearly possesses the credentials to make the final leap to the top level.

On that same afternoon in the Perú, Hop On (Endorsement) pushed the favorite to the limit, finishing just a nose behind him. The six-year-old veteran will look to bounce back to that peak form after a well-beaten fifth in the Italia,relying on his extensive experience to keep him in the hunt.

Grand Canyon (Long Island Sound) arrives in winning form off the Clásico New Dandy, where he inherited the victory after What a Man (Mastercraftsman) was disqualified for interference in deep stretch. That triumph came on the turf, meaning he must now transfer that effectiveness to the dirt track.

Zaatar (Hurricane Cat), carrying the colors of Stud Las Monjitas, adds another layer of intrigue: he will be piloted by Francisco Leandro, who returns to Argentine racing following stints in Dubai and Japan. Winner of the Handicap Potrillazo and a recent runner-up to Approval Cat (Endorsement) in the Mangangá, he holds the form to spring a surprise.

Three-year-olds also add youthful ambition to the mix. Roberts Orpen (Emotion Orpen) has captured his last two races after a third-place debut, making the direct leap from allowance company straight into a Group 1. Benvolio (King Guillermo), representing Stud Rubio B, lost his unblemished record when finishing two and a half lengths behind Sin Límites (Treasure Beach) in an encouraging runner-up effort. Both sophomores will receive a crucial six-kilogram weight break from the older horses.

Rounding out the field is Charir (Il Mercato), who earned his third victory by a head over Maskboy (Mask). He will need to elevate his game significantly to challenge the heavy hitters. Drive Joy remains the horse to beat, while the rest of the field hopes to kick off this Saturday’s Nacional extravaganza with a major upset.