Korea’s top juveniles clash on Sunday afternoon with a big Prize and Champion 2-year-old status on the line in the Breeders’ Cup at Seoul Racecourse. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05.

Both World Sun and Choinma enter having won both of their home track’s two lead-up races for the Breeders’ Cup and the pair are likely to be 1st and 2nd favourite but as ever, it looks a competitive race. Both 2015 winner Power Blade and 2016 winner Final Boss, went on to win the Korean Derby as three-year-olds. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

It’s hard to oppose (1) NAM SON. He’s been 2^nd and 3^rd in his two outings to date and drops back to the minimum distance at which he showed good speed on debut in October. He won’t necessarily lead from the gate but he really should be leading when they hit the wire. Filly (12) SEONGBUL CHAMP has shown a bit of promise too, improving across her two starts to date and narrowly missing out on 2^nd last time. She should at least achieve that today. (4) SEOUL STORY was behind Seongbul Champ on debut and can improve here while (11) PALDO GANGTA and (5) GLOBAL NEWS, the latter being quick in his trial, are others to look out for.

Selections	(1) Nam Son (12) Seongbul Champ (4) Seoul Story (5) Global News
Next Best	11, 9
Fast Start	4, 5, 8, 12

Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

The 5^th that (7) RAON ACE managed last start was less than half a length away from being a 2^nd and a similar performance today should see him home on top. (12) MACHA BUCHA had a hard day at the office in one of the stiffest class 5’s we’ve had at Seoul in a long time three weeks ago but can be given another chance today. (2) SPECIAL LIGHT is up in class following a win over 1300M on November 5^th and can be competitive. (3) RAON ROCKY returns from almost five months off and trialled well while (6) CHODONG RACE steps back in trip following a couple of unsuccessful attempts at 1700M and can be better today.

Selections	(7) Raon Ace (12) Macha Bucha (3) Raon Rocky (2) Special Light
Next Best	6, 10
Fast Start	6, 9, 12

Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million 

Up in class having won his latest two (albeit one in the stewards’ room), (6) MAGIC TEN is the one to beat once more. He has an enforced jockey change today but can still win, likely coming from just off the early pace. (2) SUPER PUNCH was a winner at class and distance last start and while he carries an extra 3kg today should be firmly in the frame once more. (1) BULHUUI SEUNGJA went poorly from a wide gate last time but is worthy another chance here. (9) STAR PERFECT’s latest couple have been disappointing, but he too deserves another go. The wildcard is (10) ROYAL PARK. He races for the first time since March but had shown some talent before and trialled up in good order a couple of weeks ago.

Selections	(6) Magic Ten (2) Super Punch (10) Royal Park (1) Bulhuui Seungja
Next Best	9, 8
Fast Start	1, 4, 5, 8

 Race 4: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(2) HANIL MAGIC beat (1) BOLD NINER and (3) SHADOW MONEY as the trio raced 2nd, 3^rd and 4^th at class and distance on November 4^th. All three should be in the hunt again with Bold Niner slightly favoured. (4) DALLYEORA PACHYAI has developed a severe case of “second-it is”, finishing runner-up on no fewer than four of his seven starts. He’s been beaten by decent ones in both his latest two though and given a good start today, could make the breakthrough. (11) SKY CAMP is also yet to win and comes up in class following two 3^rd and a 2nd place and should be competitive at this level too but they one they all need to beat is (9) MENI JILJU, up in class following a seven-length win over the distance a month ago.

Selections	(9) Meni Jilju (1) Bold Niner (4) Dallyeora Pachyai (11) Sky Camp
Next Best	2, 5
Fast Start	4, 5, 6, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / 75 Million

Just fillies here and it’s a mix of experienced local-breds taking on relatively new imports. On the imported side, (4) HANYANGUI JILJU comes in following a decent enough 4^th in a similar test at 1300M last month and may appreciate the step back in trip today while (5) MIGHTY PEARL races for the first time since June but impressed in a November trial and may be considered first-up. For the locals, (3) AEMA BISANG as a good 2^nd on latest and can repeat. She’ll be joined in a likely fast start by (6) ARGO MELODY, a winner on her last try at this distance and who enters in good form. It took (8) PARTY POWER twenty-seven races to get her maiden win and she promptly followed up with another. She is up in class today but it is still dangerous to completely rule her out.

Selections	(4) Hanyangui Jilju (3) Aema Bisang (6) Argo Melody (8) Party Power
Next Best	5, 1
Fast Start	1, 2, 3, 6

Busan Race 2: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 55 Million

(8) YEONGGWANGUI FORE returned from five months off to beat (7) BUGYEONG DOLPUNG as the pair finished 1^st and 2^nd over 1000M on November 12^th. The former carries a bit more weight today and they go an extra furlong but he should be able to handle both. (2) ITSAGAINT WARRIOR overcame a bad start to quickly get on pace and go all the way to get his maiden win at the thirteenth time of asking last month. An apprentice jockey keeps the weight nice and light and a repeat is possible. Recent form of (1) CHARTERED DREAM and (5) YEONGGWANGUISINHWA suggests both can compete for prize money.

Selections	(8) Yeonggwangui Fore (2) Itsagaint Warrior (1) Chartered Dream (7) Bugyeong Dolpung
Next Best	5, 4
Fast Start	2, 4, 7, 10

Seoul Race 6: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(1) NAEGA JAL NAGA beat a couple of these on his way to 2^nd place over 1300M on November 5th and steps up to two turns here in search of his maiden win. He has every chance of getting it, likely looking to lead from the start. That both the two behind him that day, (4) MUJEOKUI SUNGAN and (9) HANSEN BARROWS look to be among his strongest rivals suggest that this is not an especially strong race. However both (11) AJU PAEWANG and (12) WONDERFUL LUCKY have demonstrated some ability at this distance and the latter especially, looks a threat.

Selections	(1) Naega Jal Naga (12) Wonderful Lucky (11) Aju Paewang (4) Mujeokui Sungan
Next Best	9, 6
Fast Start	2, 7, 8, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 55 Million

Small but competitive field here. (1) MOST POPULAR and (3) TEUKGEUP GAMDONG are both up in class following wins a month ago and both look to have potential for more. They’ll both be on the early speed and at the distance, Most Popular is the slight pick. (2) GASOK CHAMPION was last seen only beating one home in the Korean Oaks in June but she won two out of four prior to that and looked good in a trial three weeks ago. Similarly returning from a long time out is (4) ADELEUI BOM although his trial was slightly less impressive. (8) ROYAL KELLY’s best work has all been done at 1000M but she could stay on for some prize money in this company.

Selections	(1) Most Popular (3) Teukgeup Gamdong (2) Gasok Champion (8) Royal Kelly
Next Best	4, 5
Fast Start	1, 2, 3, 8

Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(1) YES YOU CAN was a narrow winner over this distance in a similar race – though with a much larger field – on October 22^nd. He carries an extra 3kg today but is very much the one to beat. The main danger is (7) JEONGAN KINGDOM whose performance in his one try at this distance before was much better than the 7^th place finish suggests and enters in good form. Those two will be strongly favoured to fill out the quinella with (2) JISANGGEOTAP and (4) SANGBIGUN looking to be best of the rest.

Selections	(1) Yes You Can (7) Jeongan Kingdom (4) Sangbigun (2) Jisanggeotap
Next Best	3, 6
Fast Start	1, 7

Busan Race 4: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Aussie trainer Peter Wolsley comes in here double-handed and could well have the first two home. (4) ROAD TO WARRIOR is up in class following a win and a 2^nd in his latest two and while today’s distance is longer and the competition stiffer, he has every chance. As does (8) PASHA. He was an eye-catching nine-length winner at 1200M in October, before running 3^rd in the Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo Cup just two weeks ago. He too tries the distance for the first time and looks to have plenty of potential. After a series of near-misses, (6) TOKYO BLUE got his maiden win at the ninth attempt last start and it was at this distance. He carries 3.5kg extra today but he’ll be looking to make all and could well do it. Also winning last time was (12) BESTOWED. He and (10) DAMYANG HWANHO came home 1^st and 2^nd over 1200M on November 5^th and both look in the frame in this competitive contest.

Selections	(8) Pasha (6) Tokyo Blue (4) Road To Warrior (12) Bestowed
Next Best	10, 11, 1
Fast Start	1, 4, 6, 10

Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

Very tricky one this. (2) LEAD QUEEN’s 4^th in the MJC Trophy in September led her to be quite well fancied in a stiff contest at the end of October. She could only manage 8^th place that day but was by no means disgraced and given a good start, could win this. So could (4) RAON AMOS, who has been close in each of her latest starts and surely will be again. Raon Amos was beaten in September by (10) GOLD MUSIC, who returns for the first time since that race and can’t be ruled out while the outside gate won’t bother (12) DEUMJIKI who ran on well for a solid 2^nd place last time. (6) SUPER START has been a little cold in his latest two but can go better dropped back in trip today.

Selections	(2) Lead Queen (4) Raon Amos (12) Deumjiki (6) Super Start
Next Best	10, 7
Fast Start	2, 3, 4, 5

Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 75 Million

Both (5) DARMA and (9) ADELEUI JINJU are up in class following November wins at a mile. They’re both in the hunt here although the latter is favoured to take to this class more immediately. (6) B.K. SAY is already established at this level and was beaten less than a length into 3^rd place at this distance on October 27^th. Similarly proven are (10) BANJIUI YEOJEONSA and (4) DAMNYANG TAEWANG, who ran 3^rd and 5^th when they raced together at class and distance on November 10^th. Both are likely to be looking to get to the front early and both are in the hunt. The potential wildcard is (7) GOLD LINE. David Miller’s mare has only run three times this year, all of them at either 1200M or 1400M. They’ve been in decent company two and her 4^th place last time gives some hope for what is her first try around two turns.

Selections	(9) Adeleui Jinju (6) B.K. Say (10) Banjiui Yeojeonsa (7) Gold Line
Next Best	4, 5
Fast Start	2, 4, 10, 11

Seoul Race 9: Class Open “The Breeders’ Cup (KOR G2) (1400M) Allowance / KRW 500 Million

1. KING JJANG – Two wins from four so far and 2^nd in decent test over a mile last time. Placing chances.
2. ECTON BLADE – 2^nd to World Sun last time, don’t rule out. Stablemate of Divide Wind.
3. OKAY QUEEN – 6^th in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup so some form to overturn. Top jockey on but an outsider.
4. SIN STEALTH – 8^th in Gimhae Mayor’s Cup was his first defeat. Has won at 1300M. Plenty to find.
5. WONDERFUL JACKPOT – 3^rd in Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup running on nicely. Extra furlong may suit and could be an interesting longshot.
6. SINUI MYEONGRYEONG – 2^nd in Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup. Placing chances again.
7. CHOINMA – Completed the Gyeonggi Governor’s/Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup double. Came from well off the pace and flew home. Distance should suit and he has a big chance.
8. DIVIDE WIND – Untested at further than 1000M or higher than class 5 but looks to have lots of potential. Will be backed.
9. GYEONGJUUI DUREBAK – Thomas Gillespie’s filly was 4^th to World Sun in the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup Trophy and has won at 1300M.
10. WORLD SUN – Completed GC/Gimhae Mayor’s Cup double. Distance should suit and very much the one they need to beat.
11. ICHEON SSAL – Won his opening two but left himself too much to do in the big races so far. May well appreciate the extra furlong to play with.
12. GLOBAL LINE – 8^th behind Choinma in Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup. Won both previous races comfortably including a very fast time over 1300M.

Verdict: This is billed locally as being (10) WORLD SUN vs (7) CHOINMA and it could well prove to be that. Both of them will look to close from off the pace and at this stage, you’d probably say World Sun is the better equipped. That extra furlong could make things interesting – (11) ICHEON SSAL, for instance looks to need it and potentially even further. (2) ECTON BLADE got caught by World Sun in the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup but prior to that made all over a mile so has no concerns about the distance, while his stablemate (8) DIVIDE WIND is unexposed and could go very well.

Selections	(10) World Sun (7) Choinma (11) Icheon Ssal (2) Ecton Blade
Next Best	8, 6, 5
Fast Start	2, 6, 8, 12

Busan Race 6: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

(1) ZETTABYTE returns to action for the first time since August, trialled up swiftly and looks nicely in here for this ultra-competitive sprint. (8) GAKBYEOLHAN beat three of these on his way to 3^rd place behind two really top-class sprinters on October 27^th and has to be respected while Korea Sprint also-ran (5) TOHAMSAN is top weight but can overcome that and go close. Like Zettabyte, (6) TRIPLE FIVE also returns from a spell out. He romped through a November trial and while he is the kind of horse that makes one wish there were five-furlong races at class 1, he can get to the front and stay on. (4) STEALTH drops back to this trip for the first time in a long time but may be considered too.

Selections	(1) Zettabyte (6) Triple Five (8) Gakbyeolhan (5) Tohamsan
Next Best	4, 7
Fast Start	5, 6, 8, 9

Seoul Race 10: Class 1 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million

With two 2nds and a 3^rd from his latest three and having beaten two of these last time, when getting within two-lengths of the highly-rated Dolkong, (12) HEUNGRYONG is likely to be favourite to go one better today. (4) CHANMA was just half a length behind him that day and will surely be a danger again while this is the kind of race that (7) BICHUI JOENGSANG, inconsistent of late but still talented, can go well in with a late run. (1) CUPID POWER and (9) MENI MONEY should also be in the frame.

Selections	(12) Heungryong (7) Bichui Jeongsang (4) Chanma (9) Meni Money
Next Best	1, 10
Fast Start	2, 8, 10

Race 11: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

(5) HWANGGEUM SORI is up in class following a narrow win over 1200M last month and a repeat isn’t impossible. He’s a closer and it won’t be easy here. Also up in class is (8) CHEONGDAM DAERO, who drops back in trip for his first attempt at class 2 and he’s another who’ll look to come from off the pace that could well be set by (6) JJARIT, who tries this distance for the first time and (11) BRIGHT CAT, whose recent form has gone a little cold but could be better today. All three have a chance. Giving weight to all of them is (10) CHASING DOLLARS, who enters following solid 2^nd and 3^rd places, both at class and distance and he can at least match those today.

Selections	(10) Chasing Dollars (5) Hwanggeum Sori (8) Cheongdam Daero (6) Jjarit
Next Best	11, 7
Fast Start	2, 6, 11