There are 12 Saturday races in Seoul with the first at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. Here are the previews:
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A maiden for three-year-olds to begin with and there is an interesting first-time starter in the shape of (1) JILPUNG GANGJA. Progeny of a sire and dam who both ran in Korea so he was never going to be a sales-topper but his half-brother performed well in three starts and he certainly looked good himself when easily winning a trial last month. The track was very slow that day and we’ll not read too much into it but he showed enough to suggest he can be taken seriously here. It may be best to side with experience though and (9) J.S. STORM (whose sire and dam also both ran in Korea) comes in off a 2nd and 3rd from his latest two and surely goes close again. (8) SEOUL STORY parted company with his jockey on leaving the gates when well-fancied two weeks ago and will be backed again while (4) GIGA LIGHT and (10) ACE CANT are others who can improve.
| Selections | (9) J.S. Storm (1) Jilpung Gangja (8) Seoul Story (4) Giga Light |
| Next Best | 10, 6, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8, 9 |
Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Another set of three-year-olds here and not much experience between them. A few have already caught the eye though. (6) CAMP TOUCH came close to winning over the distance on what was her second start a month ago, just being beaten a nose having been on pace throughout and with a good start, she can go close once more. Also expected to be away well is (4) VICAR SCOOP, a solid 3rd on debut a month ago and likely to improve. (9) JEONGSANG MUJEOK has been 3rd on both her two starts so far and there is no reason why she can’t repeat. The name suggests we might want to take a watching brief with (1) WAIT AND SEE, but he looked good in a trial and Moon Se Young riding will tempt plenty.
| Selections | (6) Camp Touch (4) Vicar Scoop (1) Wait And See (9) Jeongsang Mujeok |
| Next Best | 8, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 7 |
Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(12) GANGTOMA was a good 2nd on debut on January 13th. He ran on well and the step up in trip today should suit. (4) SPECIAL WINNER beat (3) DORAON ACHIM HAE and (7) SHARK DAEJANGGEUN at the distance in early January before going on to run 3rd in a similar contest three weeks ago. All three should be in the hunt here with Doran Achim Hae most favoured for improvement. (2) BODEURAM and (9) KING POSE have both shown glimpses of talent and may improve today.
| Selections | (12) Gangtoma (3) Doran Achim Hae (4) Special Winner (2) Bodeuram |
| Next Best | 9, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 11 |
Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
(3) DUSON WANGJA came up short when favourite at this distance three weeks ago, ending up in 4th place having failed to quicken when well placed. It wasn’t a bad run though and he’s shown enough ability over his four starts to date to be given another chance here. (1) NAEGA KKEUTPANWANG and (8) STRONG CAPTAIN ran 3rd and 6th respectively when they raced each other over the distance on January 14th and the former especially looks nicely in for at least a repeat. (2) CITY ANGEL steps up in trip for the first time and is likely to be on the early pace while (6) FIRE, who has been up and down the distances in ten outings so far, finally looks like figuring things out coming in off two encouraging performances and can go close.
| Selections | (3) Duson Wangja (2) City Angel (1) Naega Kkeutpanwang (6) Fire |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 11, 12 |
Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(6) SISPUMA WINNER has been getting to grips with this level over and comes in here in good form with a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two, both times only beaten by decent horses. He can set up camp behind the early speed today and finish strongly. That speed is likely to be set by (2) JAELONGI and (4) ROYAL BOKSUNI. Jaelongi was 2nd at class and distance in December and didn’t run badly when 6th last time out while Royal Boksuni drops back in trip after failing to impress over 1700M on her first try at this class. She should be better today. (7) EVER A ONE and (11) KING MESSENGER, the latter racing for the first time since last May, are others who could go well.
| Selections | (6) Sispuma Winner (11) King Messenger (2) Jaelongi (4) Royal Boksuni |
| Next Best | 7, 5, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 11 |
Race 6: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) RAON ALICE has won two from five so far and starts for the first time since running a creditable 4th of 8 in what is proving to have been a very good juvenile race on Christmas Eve. He drops back to the minimum trip today for the first time since his debut race, he should be on speed early and he can win. (12) GEUMAK YEOJE beat (2) DAEGI SOKDO and (1) ROCKET ROAD as the three of them came home 1st, 2nd and 4th respectively at class and distance on January 13th. Geumak Yeoje looks a god prospect herself and shouldn’t have any problems with gate 12. (9) CALLIOPE is unbeaten at this distance – although today’s competition is stronger – and must be taken into consideration while (11) MOON ISLE KING was 4th n a desperately tight finish last time out and has claims here too.
| Selections | (7) Raon Alice (12) Geumak Yeoje (9) Calliope (2) Daegi Sokdo |
| Next Best | 1, 11, 3 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 |
Race 7: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only here and there are two standouts. (7) PANGPANG GARI is up in class having comfortably win her latest two making all both times and if she can get out into a lead here, she’s going to be hard to beat again. (2) HANYANGUI JILJU on the other hand is yet to win in five outings but she’s been racing in good company and has beaten plenty of these. She doesn’t need to lead and can finish strongly. (5) LUXURY HAPPY’s recent form reads well and she can be a threat. (10) BLUE WOLF and (12) DALLYEORA LEO have both been beaten by Hanyangui Jilju and while they have form to make up on that one, should have the beating of plenty here.
| Selections | (7) Pangpang Gari (2) Hanyangui Jilju (5) Luxury Happy (10) Blue Wolf |
| Next Best | 12, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 7, 12 |
Race 8: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Competitive handicap here but we’ll side with (6) GIDONG DAEJANG, up to two turns for the first time to register his second career win on what will be his seventh start. (12) SEOURI BYEOL also tries the distance for the first time following a smart win over 1300M last month and while she perhaps has a little more to find, she can still be in the hunt. (11) CLEAN UP DREAM beat (5) SHANGHAI PANGPANG and (10) SAEROUNSIN as the three of them filled out 2nd to 4th at class and distance on January 13th and still very nicely weighted, Clean Up Dream should be a threat again in what is a similar strength race. (1) YEOWOORI and (2) STAR PERFECT are others who can get close.
| Selections | (6) Gidong Daejang (11) Clean Up Dream (12) Seouri Byeol (2) Star Perfect |
| Next Best | 5, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6 |
Race 9: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) CLEAN UP TEUKGEUP has won two from four so far and is up in class today following a fluent front-running win at the distance three weeks ago. While today is undoubtedly tougher, there could be more to come from this promising colt. (2) CHEONJI GONGSA beat (9) ARGO AWESOME as the pair ran 2nd and 3rd at class and distance on January 21st. Argo Awesome was favourite that day while Cheonji Gongsa was an outsider and most will expect that form to be overturned this time. (8) RAON TROY ran disappointingly when reasonably well-fancied last time but was going well prior to that is worth another chance. (1) STORMY is up in class today having beaten three of those we saw in race 8 over this distance last month and though he needs to improve, he can’t be ruled out.
| Selections | (4) Clean Up Teukgeup (2) Cheonji Gongsa (9) Argo Awesome (8) Raon Troy |
| Next Best | 1, 10 |
| Fast Start | 4, 8 |
Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
The race of reference here was on January 13th at class and distance. (8) KRYPTO KID started as favourite but could only manage 4th place behind (11) GOOD HENNY, (6) CHUKACHUKA and (9) ECO BOOSTER, the latter two dead-heating for 2nd place a full six-lengths clear of Krypto Kid. All four return today and we’re going to make them the top four again. Which way it will go is a harder call to make though so we’ll take the easy way out and put Good Henny on top to repeat. (3) HWANGGEUM BISANG races for the first time in eight weeks. Last time he ran he was beaten by Krypto Kid and Chukachuka but comes in fresh and Moon Se Young returns to the ride. We also can’t completely rule out (12) TOTAL WALKER who finally got his maiden win at the 31st time of asking last month.
| Selections | (11) Good Henny (8) Krypto Kid (6) Chukachuka (9) Eco Booster |
| Next Best | 3, 2, 12 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 11 |
Race 11: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(3) WINNER GOLD didn’t do much on debut last September but now just a few months later, he finds himself up to class 2 having won three consecutive races. There tends to be a big gap between the classes but there’s not much to fear here and he could make it four in a row, likely being ridden to the front early. (5) BLUSHING VOW beat (4) HWANGGEUM SORI and (5) BLAZING VOW as the three of them filled out 1st to 3rd at class and distance on January 13th. Blushing Vow carries an additional 4kg today but must be respected even though Hwanggeum Sori looks a more credible threat. (7) YEONGNONG also enters off a class and distance win and isn’t out of it either while (2) KOREA JEONGSANG and (11) BUNGMA DREAM should be in the hunt too.
| Selections | (3) Winner Gold (4) Hwanggeum Sori (5) Blushing Vow (7) Yeongnong |
| Next Best | 2, 11, 12 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3 |
Race 12: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(9) ACE SEVEN is up in class following back to back wins at 1200M and 1300M and with a good start today could well complete her hat-trick. (8) MR. CHAMPION was a good 2nd in an arguably stiffer contest last month and will be well backed while (7) SAEBYEOGI steps up in class but looks to have potential for more improvement. (1) EUNHA CHELMA won her first three starts and looked an Oaks candidate last year but suffered a setback and missed a full nine months. She finally returned on Christmas Eve significantly heavier (to the tune of 46kg) and ran poorly. She may well improve today. (3) WAIKIKI and (12) ARGO MELODY are others to look out for.
| Selections | (9) Ace Seven (7) Saebyeogi (1) Eunha Chelma (8) Mr. Champion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Next Best | 3, 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 8, 12
Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A maiden for three-year-olds to begin with and there is an interesting first-time starter in the shape of (1) JILPUNG GANGJA. Progeny of a sire and dam who both ran in Korea so he was never going to be a sales-topper but his half-brother performed well in three starts and he certainly looked good himself when easily winning a trial last month. The track was very slow that day and we’ll not read too much into it but he showed enough to suggest he can be taken seriously here. It may be best to side with experience though and (9) J.S. STORM (whose sire and dam also both ran in Korea) comes in off a 2nd and 3rd from his latest two and surely goes close again. (8) SEOUL STORY parted company with his jockey on leaving the gates when well-fancied two weeks ago and will be backed again while (4) GIGA LIGHT and (10) ACE CANT are others who can improve.
Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
Another set of three-year-olds here and not much experience between them. A few have already caught the eye though. (6) CAMP TOUCH came close to winning over the distance on what was her second start a month ago, just being beaten a nose having been on pace throughout and with a good start, she can go close once more. Also expected to be away well is (4) VICAR SCOOP, a solid 3rd on debut a month ago and likely to improve. (9) JEONGSANG MUJEOK has been 3rd on both her two starts so far and there is no reason why she can’t repeat. The name suggests we might want to take a watching brief with (1) WAIT AND SEE, but he looked good in a trial and Moon Se Young riding will tempt plenty.
Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
(12) GANGTOMA was a good 2nd on debut on January 13th. He ran on well and the step up in trip today should suit. (4) SPECIAL WINNER beat (3) DORAON ACHIM HAE and (7) SHARK DAEJANGGEUN at the distance in early January before going on to run 3rd in a similar contest three weeks ago. All three should be in the hunt here with Doran Achim Hae most favoured for improvement. (2) BODEURAM and (9) KING POSE have both shown glimpses of talent and may improve today.
Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million
(3) DUSON WANGJA came up short when favourite at this distance three weeks ago, ending up in 4th place having failed to quicken when well placed. It wasn’t a bad run though and he’s shown enough ability over his four starts to date to be given another chance here. (1) NAEGA KKEUTPANWANG and (8) STRONG CAPTAIN ran 3rd and 6th respectively when they raced each other over the distance on January 14th and the former especially looks nicely in for at least a repeat. (2) CITY ANGEL steps up in trip for the first time and is likely to be on the early pace while (6) FIRE, who has been up and down the distances in ten outings so far, finally looks like figuring things out coming in off two encouraging performances and can go close.
Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(6) SISPUMA WINNER has been getting to grips with this level over and comes in here in good form with a 3rd and a 2nd from his latest two, both times only beaten by decent horses. He can set up camp behind the early speed today and finish strongly. That speed is likely to be set by (2) JAELONGI and (4) ROYAL BOKSUNI. Jaelongi was 2nd at class and distance in December and didn’t run badly when 6th last time out while Royal Boksuni drops back in trip after failing to impress over 1700M on her first try at this class. She should be better today. (7) EVER A ONE and (11) KING MESSENGER, the latter racing for the first time since last May, are others who could go well.
Race 6: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) RAON ALICE has won two from five so far and starts for the first time since running a creditable 4th of 8 in what is proving to have been a very good juvenile race on Christmas Eve. He drops back to the minimum trip today for the first time since his debut race, he should be on speed early and he can win. (12) GEUMAK YEOJE beat (2) DAEGI SOKDO and (1) ROCKET ROAD as the three of them came home 1st, 2nd and 4th respectively at class and distance on January 13th. Geumak Yeoje looks a god prospect herself and shouldn’t have any problems with gate 12. (9) CALLIOPE is unbeaten at this distance – although today’s competition is stronger – and must be taken into consideration while (11) MOON ISLE KING was 4th n a desperately tight finish last time out and has claims here too.
Race 7: Class 4 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
Fillies and mares only here and there are two standouts. (7) PANGPANG GARI is up in class having comfortably win her latest two making all both times and if she can get out into a lead here, she’s going to be hard to beat again. (2) HANYANGUI JILJU on the other hand is yet to win in five outings but she’s been racing in good company and has beaten plenty of these. She doesn’t need to lead and can finish strongly. (5) LUXURY HAPPY’s recent form reads well and she can be a threat. (10) BLUE WOLF and (12) DALLYEORA LEO have both been beaten by Hanyangui Jilju and while they have form to make up on that one, should have the beating of plenty here.
Race 8: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Competitive handicap here but we’ll side with (6) GIDONG DAEJANG, up to two turns for the first time to register his second career win on what will be his seventh start. (12) SEOURI BYEOL also tries the distance for the first time following a smart win over 1300M last month and while she perhaps has a little more to find, she can still be in the hunt. (11) CLEAN UP DREAM beat (5) SHANGHAI PANGPANG and (10) SAEROUNSIN as the three of them filled out 2nd to 4th at class and distance on January 13th and still very nicely weighted, Clean Up Dream should be a threat again in what is a similar strength race. (1) YEOWOORI and (2) STAR PERFECT are others who can get close.
Race 9: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) CLEAN UP TEUKGEUP has won two from four so far and is up in class today following a fluent front-running win at the distance three weeks ago. While today is undoubtedly tougher, there could be more to come from this promising colt. (2) CHEONJI GONGSA beat (9) ARGO AWESOME as the pair ran 2nd and 3rd at class and distance on January 21st. Argo Awesome was favourite that day while Cheonji Gongsa was an outsider and most will expect that form to be overturned this time. (8) RAON TROY ran disappointingly when reasonably well-fancied last time but was going well prior to that is worth another chance. (1) STORMY is up in class today having beaten three of those we saw in race 8 over this distance last month and though he needs to improve, he can’t be ruled out.
Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
The race of reference here was on January 13th at class and distance. (8) KRYPTO KID started as favourite but could only manage 4th place behind (11) GOOD HENNY, (6) CHUKACHUKA and (9) ECO BOOSTER, the latter two dead-heating for 2nd place a full six-lengths clear of Krypto Kid. All four return today and we’re going to make them the top four again. Which way it will go is a harder call to make though so we’ll take the easy way out and put Good Henny on top to repeat. (3) HWANGGEUM BISANG races for the first time in eight weeks. Last time he ran he was beaten by Krypto Kid and Chukachuka but comes in fresh and Moon Se Young returns to the ride. We also can’t completely rule out (12) TOTAL WALKER who finally got his maiden win at the 31st time of asking last month.
Race 11: Class 2 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million
(3) WINNER GOLD didn’t do much on debut last September but now just a few months later, he finds himself up to class 2 having won three consecutive races. There tends to be a big gap between the classes but there’s not much to fear here and he could make it four in a row, likely being ridden to the front early. (5) BLUSHING VOW beat (4) HWANGGEUM SORI and (5) BLAZING VOW as the three of them filled out 1st to 3rd at class and distance on January 13th. Blushing Vow carries an additional 4kg today but must be respected even though Hwanggeum Sori looks a more credible threat. (7) YEONGNONG also enters off a class and distance win and isn’t out of it either while (2) KOREA JEONGSANG and (11) BUNGMA DREAM should be in the hunt too.
Race 12: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(9) ACE SEVEN is up in class following back to back wins at 1200M and 1300M and with a good start today could well complete her hat-trick. (8) MR. CHAMPION was a good 2nd in an arguably stiffer contest last month and will be well backed while (7) SAEBYEOGI steps up in class but looks to have potential for more improvement. (1) EUNHA CHELMA won her first three starts and looked an Oaks candidate last year but suffered a setback and missed a full nine months. She finally returned on Christmas Eve significantly heavier (to the tune of 46kg) and ran poorly. She may well improve today. (3) WAIKIKI and (12) ARGO MELODY are others to look out for.
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Horse Racing in Korea 