Day: April 2, 2021

Seoul & Busan Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (April 3)

Although “level 2” restrictions have been tightened to prevent on-course or OCB attendance in Busan as well as the Greater Seoul area, racing presses on. Both thoroughbred tracks will race behind closed doors on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s racing sees 8 races at Seoul from 11:00 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 11:30 to 16:50. Here are the previews:

The cherry blossoms are out at a lonely Seoul Racecourse

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

Fillies (and one mare) to begin with and there are two last start winners among them. (9) PRINCESS SOCKS ran 4th on debut before breaking through at start number two, making all over thus distance in a fair time. It took (5) LEROY BLANC four starts to break through, something she finally achieved in January, similarly leading all the way over 1400M. She looks nicely in again. The one they both need to beat is debut-maker (6) BURUI YEOWANG is a half-sister to talented pair Raymond and Choegang Team and blitzed a trial at the beginning of March. She’s beautifully drawn to be on speed and has every chance first-up. (3) VICTORY SAM was a solid 4th on debut over 1000M at the end of February and should have come on for the run. (2) GLORY KHAN is another in the hunt and should make ground late on, especially if the favourites, who are all likely to be on-pace, over-race.

Selections(6) Burui Yeowang (9) Princess Socks (5) Leroy Blanc (3) Victory Sam
Next Best2, 12
Fast Start3, 5, 6, 9, 12

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(2) AMAZING FOOT is the first foal out of Sun Lordly, a very solid racehorse in Korea who won three of her first five races. This Hansen colt ran 3rd on debut over 1000M in February and should appreciate the extra furlong today. He has strong claims. (3) GOSUUI POWER improved at start two at the end of Janaury, running on well for 3rd behind Raon The Power. He too looks ready to try this distance again and can go close. (9) SEOBU QUEEN, half-sister and stablemate to the excellent Seobu Cat has two 3rd places among three outings to date. Her previous try at this distance didn’t go well but she should be better this time around. (1) WONDER BLADE’s solitary start was fifteen months ago. He’s been through a number of trials since, most recently a fast one two weeks ago and comes straight into contention today. There is one debut-maker. (14) POKPUNG JILJU looked sharp in two trials and while the draw is unfortunate, he should be competitive here.

Selections(2) Amazing Foot (9) Seobu Queen (3) Gosuui Power (14) Pokpung Jilju
Next Best1, 12
Fast Start2, 3, 6, 12

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

A couple of standouts here. (2) RAON CHAMPSELY comes in off a good 2nd place when she ran on strong over 1200M. She gets an extra half-furlong to play with today and it may well suit the Musket Man filly. She’s likely to be vying for favourite status along with (7) GRAY CAT. After a bad start he was scarcely involved over 1400M last start but back in trip today and with a better start, he can be a big danger. (1) BIROE KING has the fastest time among those who have previously tackled today’s distance/ He comes in having beaten a couple of these last time out and should be in the mix again today. (6) MORNING FLASH will come from off the pace and should appreciate the slight step up in trip today while (12) SAMJEONG TAPAS is inconsistent but not without a placing chance in this company.

Selections(2) Raon Champsely (7) Gray Cat (1) Biroe King (6) Morning Flash
Next Best12, 5
Fast Start1, 7, 9, 12

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

(1) THE FIRST FACTOR has been knocking on the door across three starts so far and most recently came home 3rd behind Baby Line and Ace Day in what was the fastest race ever recorded over this distance at class 6 at Busan. Of course, that was helped by the track condition but The First Factor’s time was nearly three seconds faster than anything else here has achieved at this distance and she could well come out on top today. (13) ADELE SMART has already come out on top, winning on debut on February 27th. That was over 1000M but he got stronger as the race went on and has every chance of following up here. (8) OLD CHEONHA came home 4th in the same race, also on debut and is another who should appreciate the additional trip. (5) TRIPLE STORM was a significantly improved 2nd last start and can maintain that momentum today while (7) BURNING PARTY is another in the hunt.

Selections(1) The First Factor (13) Adele Smart (8) Old Cheonha (5) Triple Storm
Next Best7, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 7, 13

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 22 Million

A rare small field with just the nine three-year-old maidens going to post here. (9) BLACK ROOKIE is the pick and is likely to be a warm favourite. She has the fastest time at the distance which she recorded on a relatively slow track when 2nd two starts back. She was satisfactory, if one-paced, when 5th at 1400M last start and the drop back should suit. She has a strong finish and the wide draw shouldn’t be an issue. (7) GO GO STAR has finished between 3rd and 5th in all of her five starts to date. She was a good 3rd at this distance last start and that should be a minimum requirement today. (6) GUK HYANG ran an improved 2nd at 1000M on her third outing back in February and can build on that today. (3) MASEONG CHEONHA and (8) LUCKY WORLD will need lines drawn through their respective latest offerings but are other sin the placing frame.

Selections(9) Black Rookie (6) Guk Hyang (7) Go Go Star (8) Lucky World
Next Best3
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 8

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 28 Million

(2) TAKE INDY KING drops back in trip after two goes around 1400M. He ran 2nd on his previous try at this distance having led for much of the way and draws nicely here. He has every chance. (10) CROWN FUNKY beat three of these on his way to a solid class and distance 2nd place on February 20th. She has mixed her form but looks nicely in here to go well again with the same apprentice jockey taking plenty of weight off again. The draw this time though favours (1) YEONGGWANGUI START. He ran 4th in that race and from the inside could well get on the pace today. If he does, then he has solid claims. (4) WONDERFUL KING comes in off a strong 3rd place last start beating a couple of these in the process and can be competitive again while (11) EAGLE STAR may have lost his way a little in his latest two but has plenty of ability and could come back into form here.

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