The 2020 Triple Crown concludes at Seoul on Sunday with the running of the Minister’s Cup. There are 12 races at Seoul along with 5 at Busan, both behind closed doors and with no betting. They are likely to be the final race meetings held in Korea for some time.
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
The two and three-year-old Korean-bred gallopers line up in the first. Cue the Star Wars puns as (1) JEDI looks hardest to beat coming off a nice performance on debut. The Cowboy Cal filly missed the kick last start before reeling off a strong last sectional to finish third behind Cobra Ball. The step-up to the 1300m looks ideal for the filly, who should put them to the lightsaber late (sorry). (6) REMEMBER WHEN looks next best after finishing second in three-year-old company last start over this distance. The Rock Hard Ten filly finished two and a half lengths off the winner when clocking a reasonable time. (10) CHAMPION GAMUN comes out of the same race as Jedi when finishing fourth. The two-year-old was another that hit the line strong but will need to improve to be considered a winning chance. (3) SUNNY K looks next best after finishing fifth at start two. The Officer filly gets a reasonable draw for the first time in her short career.
| Selections | (1) Jedi (6) Remember When (10) Champion Gamun (3) Sunny K |
| Next Best | 4, 11 |
| Fast Start | 9 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million
Tricky little maiden. (4) POWER MUSIC has the best time of any of these at the distance, achieved when running 3rd on a very wet track in July. She overcame a poor start to run on well for 5th at her latest start three weeks ago at 1300M and if she can just get herself into a decent position this time, she can win. (3) THROUGH THE SKY enters with the most convincing recent form in the race having registered a 2nd and a 3rd in his latest two. He’s well drawn to get on pace early and could go all the way. (11) TYCHE FIRE hasn’t shown much in the way of speed but did run an improved 3rd when stepped up to this trip a couple of weeks ago. Moon Se-young stays aboard and he should have more improvement in him. (8) RUFFIAN PARK and (9) THUNDER WIND are others who should go close.
| Selections | (3) Through The Sky (11) Tyche Fire (4) Power Music (9) Thunder Wind |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 3, 11 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
The Class Five gallopers will line up in the third event over 1400m. In a race that lacks form, (9) BIG FACE looks the one to beat albeit the three-year-old still looking to break maiden status. The Simon Pure Colt has placed behind some handy types at his two starts back which puts him in good stead for his assignment. (11) GOSOK PEDAL will be second up after clocking a good time over the 1300m when first up. The Officer colt’s one win was when lining up over this distance. (7) GLOBAL WANGJA is another who is yet to break maiden status. The lightly raced four-year-old will drop back to the 1400m after finishing fifth over the 1700m last time out. His performances over the short course have been good. (4) SUNSHINE TEUKGEUP looks best of the rest but has been stuck in this class for quite some time.
| Selections | (9) Big Face (11) Gosok Pedal (7) Global Wangja (4) Sunshine Teukgeup |
| Next Best | 5, 8 |
| Fast Start | 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) JEONGMUN BOLT was an outstanding winner over this distance at class 5 level on a relatively dry track back on July 12th. He reappears today up in class but with every chance of scoring again. He will try to lead from the gate. It won’t be easy. (4) ICE PUNCH was a similarly impressive winner at 1200M a month ago. He’s won two of four starts to be rapidly promoted to this level and from a good draw can sit just off the speed. The slight step up in trip today should only be to his benefit. (3) LUISA perhaps has a bit more to find but nevertheless was a good winner at 1200M last start and can be competitive at this level. As for those with experience at this class, (2) LION YEOJE was a touch disappointing on his first crack at it three weeks ago following a good win in July. With Munro on today, he must be given another chance.
| Selections | (9) Jeongmun Bolt (4) Ice Punch (3) Luisa (2) Lion Yeoje |
| Next Best | 5, 10, 11 |
| Fast Start | 4, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
The fifth event will see a field of eleven line up over the 1400m. (4) GO UP is the on top selection coming off a good Class Five victory last time out. The Tiz Wonderful filly clocked a very impressive time (1:12.8) considering it was a dry track. She has accounted for herself well in all of her starts and with 53kg on her back she looks the one to beat. Apart from Go Up, you can throw almost the rest of the field into your selections. (10) LUCKY BONGHWA we will make second elect after a fair performance when resuming last time out. The five-year-old entire finished fifth behind Federal Cat when finishing off strong. The lightly weighted galloper should show some improvement second-up. (3) VICTORY KING has been consistent since resuming, finishing in the top five at all three starts. The Magician gelding comes off a fourth placed performance behind Haedeulmoe, not the strongest form but we will include him for his consistency. (5) BACK SPIN looks best of the rest second up after finishing fourth when first up.
| Selections | (4) Go Up (10) Lucky Bonghwa (3) Victory King (5) Back Spin |
| Next Best | 1, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million
A maiden for three-year-olds and down with just four of the eleven having raced before. Of those four, (2) CHOEGANG DRAGON has appeared the most, racing three times already and in the latest of those recorded a 3rd place
(more…)
Horse Racing in Korea 