With Drive Joy Headlining, the Gran Criterium Promises a Dramatic Finish
- Turf Diario
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Rising Colt from Stud Firmamento Leads a Stacked Field Featuring The Great Wells, Full Keynote, and Alado Frank
The top 2-year-old colt of the season on the turf at Hipódromo de San Isidro will be crowned in what promises to be a truly spectacular race, the Gran Premio Gran Criterium (G1-1600m), with the rising star Drive Joy leading the charge.
By Fortify and representing Stud Firmamento, the chestnut colt lost his debut but then rattled off two impressive wins, most recently in the Clásico Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier (G2), where he was unstoppable in the stretch, securing a 1-2 finish for Juan Carlos Bagó’s colors by a length over stablemate Real Rim (Remote), who also lines up here to watch his back and is another key contender among the 11 starters.
The Great Wells (The Great Day), racing for Stud De Galera in partnership with Firmamento, boasts a highly promising debut victory in the Clásico José B. Zubiaurre, positioning him as a leading candidate despite having less experience than some of his rivals.
Gran Muñeca brings two of his best young colts to the fray: Alado Frank (Gidu) and Full Keynote (Full Mast). The former, winner of the Crespo (G3), couldn’t keep pace with the gray Amor de Contramano (Gouverneur Morris) in the Montevideo (G1), finishing third.
His stablemate Full Keynote was the one to beat Drive Joy in their first public outing and then added the Clásico Antártida Argentina (L) to his resume. However, he was a shadow of himself in the Chevalier, finishing fourth, and now seeks redemption.
The Brazilian gray Phanton (Outstrip) impressed with a dominant turf mile debut win over Coro de Rojas (Daddy Long Legs), who has since broken his maiden as well, and now aims to make noise at the highest level.
Finally, Es Por Amor (Strategos) enters off a dazzling 12-length maiden victory at a kilometer, having recently changed owners and trainers—now under the care of Juan Saldivia—and is ready to step up in pursuit of a breakthrough performance.
