In Another Can't-Miss Edition of the Clásico Perú, Drive Joy Squares Off Against Earth God

The champions clash this afternoon over 1800 meters on the Palermo dirt, featuring several other heavyweights in the mix

Monday's card at Hipódromo Palermo may not feature high quality overall, but the Clásico Perú (G2-1800 m, dirt) promises top-tier action that fully justifies the price of admission.

A duel of champions, featuring several other high-caliber names, will star in one of the season's most anticipated races, bringing together many of the top milers along with contenders cutting back from 2000 meters.

At this point, it remains inexplicable why Argentine racing authorities have never taken the 1800-meter distance seriously, as it goes virtually unused throughout the season. In years past, the Gran Premio General San Martín (G1) was contested over this trip, producing equally memorable battles.

The Perú will mark a return to the track where Drive Joy (Fortify) reached his two biggest career heights as last season's Champion 2-Year-Old Colt. It was over this strip that he captured the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1), as well as the surface on which he claimed the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1) before placing fourth in the Gran Premio Estrellas Mile (G1).

That afternoon on the San Isidro turf, Earth God (Cosmic Trigger), the reigning Champion Miler, finished third—1 1/2 lengths ahead of Drive Joy—showing marked improvement after a subpar effort on May 1. On the Palermo dirt, the Stud Facundito representative won the Gran Premio Palermo (G1) a few months ago before taking the Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1) upon his return to the Jockey Club Argentino turf.

As mentioned, they will not have the stage to themselves. Nevado Catedral (Gouverneur Morris) scored in the Clásico Benito Villanueva (G2) in mid-April, but subsequently faltered badly in both the OSAF and the Estrellas Mile, leaving him looking to get his career back on track.

Speedmaster (Fortify) was sent off as the heavy favorite in the Clásico Otoño (G2), managing only a fifth-place finish, before stepping down to allowance ranks to rebuild confidence with a decisive win. Now returning to graded company, he will certainly be another key player.

The veteran Hop On (Endorsement) brings a four-race win streak in lower-level company, and a run like that can never be ignored. The Rosario entrant aims to prove the race's biggest surprise.

Private Blend (Lucullan) enters off a third-place finish in the Clásico General Belgrano (G2) over 2500 meters and cuts back sharply in distance, boasting a prior third-place finish in the recent Gran Premio República Argentina (G1).