Drive Joy, the tenacity of a champion who never gives in

The 2025 champion two-year-old prevailed by a head over Hop On in the Gran Premio Palermo (G1). Having bounced back from an injury, his consistency and courage keep him firmly at the top

BY DIEGO H. MITAGSTEIN

There was no victory lap. It took a dogfight right down to the final stride, digging deep into a reserve of energy when his rival looked determined to withstand every challenge. Drive Joy won again, just as expected, yet once more he had to work hard to get the job done. And therein lies much of the greatness of Haras Firmamento’s homebred: alongside his undeniable talent, he possesses a heart that refuses to yield.

The Gran Premio Palermo (G1-1,600m, dirt), the opening Group 1 event on Saturday’s spectacular card at Palermo, offered the son of Fortify familiar—if demanding—territory. Having stretched out his stamina to capture both the Clásico Perú (G2-1,800m) and the Clásico Italia (G3-2,000m), he returned to the mile distance where he had previously triumphed in the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1) and the Gran Premio de las Américas-OSAF (G1). His response was the customary one: competing at the very highest level.

Martín Valle settled him in third during the early stages while Roberts Orpen (Emotion Orpen) set the pace with Hop On (Endorsement) breathing right down his neck. Drive Joy traveled smoothly until the tempo quickened on the turn, where the leading trio virtually drew abreast: the pacesetter hugging the rail, Hop On right alongside him, and the favorite advancing wider out, poised to launch his bid.

Turning into the stretch, Hop On seized command down the center of the track and looked poised to take it all. Yet Drive Joy came after him on the outside. Valle asked him for everything, the chestnut lengthened his stride with determination, and the pair produced a thrilling head-to-head duel. The wire found the favorite just a head in front, stopping the clock in 1:36.97 over a dirt surface that proved demanding throughout much of the afternoon.

The finish carried a precedent far too recent to go unnoticed. In the Clásico Perú, over 1,800 meters, Drive Joy had edged that very same Hop On by a nose. This time, the margin stretched ever so slightly to a head—two unforgettable finishes, and a well-deserved nod to the six-year-old runner-up, who under Kevin Banegas once again left everything on the track.

Four lengths back in third came Linguado (Cosmic Trigger) with a highly creditable effort. The official winner of the Polla de Potrillos (G1) following the disqualification of Fletcher (Gershwin) reclaimed much of the luster lost during his turf excursion in the Jockey Club, confirming that he can hold his own in major dirt contests. Speedmaster(Fortify), meanwhile, finished fourth, nine lengths off the winner, unable to factor seriously in the stretch drive.

Yet Drive Joy’s story extends well beyond a narrow photo finish. Crowned Champion Two-Year-Old Male of 2025, he suffered a knee injury after finishing runner-up to Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) in the Polla and was forced to halt his campaign while squarely on the rise. Recovery required rest, patience, and careful management, and his return reunited racing fans with a genuine star. Since coming back, Firmamento’s standout has proved consistent, versatile, and tenacious, capable of sustaining top-tier excellence both at a mile and beyond.

The victory marked his seventh win from 12 career starts and his third at the Group 1 level. It also provided another milestone for trainer Carlos Daniel Etchechoury, who is enjoying an extraordinary season with seven Group 1 triumphs already on the board, as well as for Valle, now up to five Group 1 victories on the year—a partnership that continues to thrive on the biggest occasions.

His next target shapes up to be the Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1) over the San Isidro turf mile on Pellegrini day. While he has not displayed the same dominance on grass that he commands on dirt, his earlier victory in the Clásico Chevalier (G2) proves he knows how to win on the turf as well.

Drive Joy does not need to win by open lengths to prove just how good he is. Simply continuing to win—even when forced to summon every ounce of grit inside him—is more than enough. And based on what we have seen so far, he still has plenty left to offer.