Drive Joy, the champion who showcased his entire repertoire for a career-defining success
- Turf Diario
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
After overcoming an injury and the layoff, the best 2-year-old of 2025 defeated a formidable field in the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF
In a race where high-flying stars were plenty, the colt Drive Joy returned to his best and was a fair and decisive winner of the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1-1600 m, dirt), a vital part of the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1) meeting, which was held before a packed Palermo, the likes of which had not been seen in a long time.
Under the same circumstances in which he defeated the great Amor de Contramano (Gourveneur Morris) ten months ago in the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1)—a victory that would later earn him the title of Champion 2-Year-Old Colt of 2025—the chestnut looked intact and mature. This comes after overcoming a physical issue that sidelined him following his runner-up finish to Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) in the last Polla de Potrillos (G1), only allowing him to return to action a few weeks ago.
The son of Fortify, a homebred for Firmamento, had finished a solid fourth behind Qué Tarde Gris (Il Campione) in the Clásico América (G2) on the San Isidro turf, but that comeback was in "Dany mode." As it happens, his trainer Carlos D. Etchechoury prefers to give his charges a race after long layoffs without demanding maximum effort in the mornings, allowing them to find their fitness through competition. With Drive Joy, everything worked out perfectly.
Martín Valle gradually settled Drive Joy, ignoring the weak leadership of Mío Fratello (Long Island Sound). On the turn, the process of closing in began, and early in the stretch, a gap opened through which the chestnut advanced and took command. Meanwhile, along the rail and in a tight spot, Escape Room (Il Campione) struggled to find room, squeezed between the fading leader and the fence. By the time he got clear, it was too late; furthermore, Drive Joy had plenty of energy to neutralize him and win by 1 1/2 lengths, with Qué Tarde Gris rallying to finish third. On the flip side, Comando Secreto (War Command), Earth God (Cosmic Trigger), Nevado Catedral (Gouverneur Morris), and Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) all had an afternoon to forget.
Drive Joy debuted his championship title with a grand victory. His story is only just beginning, and it seems there are many more central chapters yet to be written...
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