Month: December 2021

Seoul & Busan Champion Juvenile Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (December 5)

It’s Champion Juvenile Sunday at Busan where the Korean Breeders’ Cup over 1400 will decide the best two-year-old of 2021. Twelve go in the race which is the final one on Busan’s seven-race card which runs from 11:10 to 16:40. There are ten races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00. All betting locations within Korea will be open with a cap of 80% of indoor capacity. Attendance must be booked in advance through the MyCard app and proof of vaccination against Covid-19 are required. Here are the previews of every race:

Yeonngwanguilegend is among the favourites for the Breeders’ Cup (Pic: KRA)

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

Juvenile maidens in the opener with just two racing for the first time. (6) JAY TROSS just came up short when favourite on what was her second start on October 30th at this distance when 2nd all the way around and just couldn’t get to the winner. The time was good, and she will be red-hot favourite to get it right this time. The main danger may be one of the debut-makers. (2) GLOBAL FIRST ran a solid trial and while that was back in September and she needs a run to avoid having to qualify again, a couple of others in this race also went in that heat and she handily dispatched them. From a good draw, she can go close. (8) CASH BACK was significant improver at start two on November 7th when leading early and ultimately finishing 3rd over this distance in a decent time and won’t need to improve too much to place here. (9) G STAR has been solid if unspectacular across two outings so far and beat a couple of these at his latest appearance. (3) ACE PLAN another who can improve.

Selections(6) Jay Tross (2) Global First (8) Cash Back (9) G Star
Next Best3, 5
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 8

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

Juvenile maidens and seven of the twelve race for the very first time and it is from those debut-makers that the top picks come from. (11) GREEN CHEETAH put in a very good trial, running seemingly within himself with just a little effort asked for towards the end. It was a fast time and while he draws wide, Franco Da Silva in the saddle should be able to help him overcome that and win. (2) LEGEND NUMBER ONE was a bit slow to begin in his trial but ran on very pleasingly, under hands and heels, crossing the line 4th in a fair time. He draws well and if he gets away smoothly, rates as a chance. (5) RAON THE TANK too wasn’t the quickest out of the traps in his trial but made good ground later and was unhurried in his finish. (10) SUPER CRACK beat a couple of his when trialing fairly in November, an improvement on his first qualification heat. You Hyun-myung climbs aboard for the race and he has placing chances. Among the experienced ones, (8) MONEY CASE is the clear pick having finished 4th on debut back in August. He has been back to trial since and can benefit from his experience here.

Selections(11) Green Cheetah (2) Legend Number One (5) Raon The Tank (10) Super Crack
Next Best8, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 8, 11

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

Several of these raced one another at class and distance on November 7th. (2) NUMBER ONE TARGET finished the best of them, recovering from a bump at the start and running on to finish a good 2nd, her best finish to date. We’ll stick with her to beat them again and this time go one better. It’s probably that (3) RUBY CAT will be favourite to overturn the form from that day though. She has steadily improved across four starts today and was 3rd in that November 7th race. She was on the other end of that bump with Number One Target at the start but recovered well. If her improvement continues on the same trajectory that it has done so far from start to start, then she can be winning here. (1) NO SMALL SUN comes back up in trip following consecutive 4th place finishes over 1000M and from the inside gate can be a danger. (11) MORNING PEARL ran a much-improved 2nd last time out and along with (10) EUNHYE CHUNGMAN, 5th in that November 7th race, is to be considered for a place.

Selections(2) Number One Target (3) Ruby Cat (1) No Small Sun (11) Morning Pearl
Next Best10, 6
Fast Start1, 6, 7, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(8) B. K. HANA ran a strong 2nd in a fast time over 1000M at her latest start on November 5th when handy and running on. She ran 5th at this distance on debt in August before finishing well back in a good race in September. She is in shallower eaters here and from the inside gate and with Perovic on her back, she is the one to beat. (1) HAEGA TTEUGO is one of two first-time starts in the race and seems to have potential. It took him two goes to qualify but he won the second of those attempts, breaking fairly before taking the lead and running on in a good time. If he brings that form to the races, then he can go close. (6) NEW CROWN has mixed his form across seven starts so far, but was a strong 3rd at his latest appearance, running on well from midfield. A repeat will see him in the finish today. (11) GEUMA STARLET and (5) HOT PLAY are others in the frame.

Selections(8) B. K. Hana (1) Haega Tteugo (6) New Crown (11) Geuma Starlet
Next Best5, 10
Fast Start5, 10, 11, 12

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1700M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(3) GUITARIST beat a couple of these on his way to 2nd place at this class and distance on October 30th. It was his best performance to date and fastest time of any of these that have tried the distance and should be enough to give him favourite status here. If he fails to arrive in tune then (4) THAT’S MY BOY and (2) JEOLMEUN YOUNGUNG, who came home 3rd and 4th in that October race, look set to be the best place to take advantage. Both came form off the pace that day to finish well and That’s My Boy is significantly better drawn this time around. If you don’t fancy that race very much, then (6) SANGSEUNG HAENGJIN and (5) SOUJU came home 2nd and 3rd when they raced each other over 1400M on November 6th and look the next best.

Selections(3) Guitarist (4) That’s My Boy (2) Jeolmeun Youngung (6) Sangseung Haengjin
Next Best5, 8
Fast Start1, 5, 6, 7

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

A very tricky race but something has to win. We’ll therefore take a chance on (2) YEONSEUNG BRAVO who, barring a dismal spin around 1400M two weeks ago, has been racing with some consistency recently. He has the fastest time of any of these at this distance and from a nice draw can get that latest run out of his system here. Probably favourite is (7) BARBELL STORM, who made a big step up to this trip at start number four on November 12th, having previously only raced over 1000M. He led into the home straight and ultimately came home 3rd in a run of merit and can have come on for that. Beating him that day was (10) SOL INVICTUS, who scored his best finish so far on his twentieth start. He might not have as much improvement in him as Barbell Storm but warrants some respect here. (4) SILVER LADY and (1) CHEONMA YEONGUNG are other placing hopes.

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Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (December 4)

Racing on Saturday is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:45 to 18:00. All betting locations throughout the country are open with an 80% indoor capacity cap. Attendance must be pre-booked through the MyCard app and proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required. Here are the previews:

Seoul

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

Juvenile maidens with six of the twelve racing for the first time. (3) DUSON DRIVE has probably done enough to warrant favourite status after a 7th and a 6th in his first two outings, in fair times. He draws nicely, can be on pace and can win. (5) TITAN SOCKS debuted over 1200M scoring a decent enough 5th place having previously performed well in a trial when he led. Dropping back to 1000M and from a central gate, he should be on speed and can get closer today. (12) DOWN THE ZONE finished down the field on debut but her time measures up in this company and she can improve despite the wide draw. Among the debut-makers, (2) CHEONEUNCHONG won her trial and while the time wasn’t fast, she did nothing wrong and in a race as soft as this, she can have fair claims first up. (1) JEWELRY BEST another first-timer who could sneak some money.

Selections(3) Duson Drive (5) Titan Socks (12) Down The Zone (2) Cheoneunchong
Next Best1, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 5, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(4) MEOTJIN GIROK has been getting closer across three starts so far culminating in a 3rd place ahead of a couple of these on his first try at this distance on November 6th when he sat handy and ran on. He draws nicely today and looks the one to beat. (9) MUNHAK FOREST has been getting closer with a 3rd and a 2nd in his latest two at 1200M and 1300M respectively, leading much of the way both times. Expect him to be on pace again and to be in this for a long time. (3) THUNDER HORSE ran 4th to Munhak Forest’s 3rd when they met on November 6th at this distance. While he is yet to finish in the top two, he has no fewer than seven top0five finishes from his twelve starts and can aim for another today. (1) P N S HER never got going over 1000M last time but on her second start managed a 5th over this distance. She draws much better today and can improve. (7) ORGALIM, another on-pacer, is among others with placing chances.

Selections(4) Meotjin Girok (9) Munhak Forest (3) Thunder Horse (1) P N S Her
Next Best7, 6
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(2) POSA POSA has finished in 5th place on four out of five starts now but today lines up in possibly the softest company he has faced so far. He enters here having finished 5th at his latest start when he came from a wide gate to sit handy and run on. He draws better today and has every chance of overturning the form on (4) KING CRUSH, who came from even wider that day to run 3rd. That marked a significant uptick in form at his fourth start and while he gives 5kg to Posa Posa again, has strong claims and will probably start as favourite. In a race where the exposed form is not strong, a chance has to be given to the only first-time starter, (1) HEUNGHAENG DAEBAK. He led his trial, ultimately finishing in 3rd place in a fair time and from the inside gate has every chance of going well first-up. (9) PURGE QUEEN and (6) TK PLEX are others in the hunt.

Selections(2) Posa Posa (4) King Crush (1) Heunghaeng Daebak (9) Purge Queen
Next Best6, 3
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 7

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(2) PEPE RUN came from off the pace two starts back to run a very good 4th at this distance in a good time. While he was a little one-paced in 6th at his latest start on November 20th, the margins weren’t huge and from a good draw and Victoire taking the mount, he has fair claims here. (11) FAST TRACK has finished off his races well so far, including a 5th over 1200M at his most recent on October 24th. The draw won’t be a problem and the slight step up in trip may well work in his favour. (9) GABO SARANGHAE has the fastest time among those who have tackled this distance before and she comes in off a good 4th at her last start. She can be on pace here and be in this a long way. (8) SINJURYU and (10) LAGERTHA others who have to potential to place.

Selections(2) Pepe Run (11) Fast Track (9) Gabo Saranghae (8) Sinjuryu
Next Best10, 3
Fast Start1, 9, 10, 11

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) JOEUN GWANGYE is yet to win but has seven top-five finished from ten attempts so far and enters following a close at hand 4th in a fast time over 1400M on October 30th. A previous attempt at this distance two starts back saw him lead and fade but he looks ready for another crack here and should be the one to beat. (8) RUFFIAN PARK is another maiden with plenty of money finishes in his record. His recent efforts have all been at this distance and he should be there or thereabouts again today. (3) AMAZING WHIZ does have winning experience albeit all the way back in February. He tackles two turns for the first time having run on nicely for 3rd at this class over 1300M last time out and looks a good placing shout here. The form falls off a bit after those three with (2) E STRIKE and (1) CHEONDUNG CAT perhaps possible to make a case for.

Selections(4) Joeun Gwangye (8) Ruffian Park (3) Amazing Whiz (2) E Strike
Next Best1, 9
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 5
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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (December 3)

There’s plenty to still be decided in what’s set to be a hectic final month of 2021. There is the final leg of the Triple Crown to come, plus the conclusion of the race for champion filly and mare, as well of course as the big one, the Grand Prix Stakes on Boxing Day. The first item on the agenda is to decide Champion Juvenile and that will be resolved in the Korean Breeders’ Cup (KOR G2) at Busan on Sunday. Things get underway at Busan on Friday with 7 races from 12:40 to 18:00. Moon Se Young is among several Seoul based jockeys in town for Sunday’s race, who also have rides on Friday’s card. Also in action will be Kim Hye Sun, who reached her latest career milestone last weekend. Here are the previews:

It’s Busan Friday

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

Juvenile filly maidens open proceedings. (9) QUEEN’S DAERO has run well for 4th and 3rd in two starts so far, finishing both in fair times. She comes in off six weeks out and draws marginally better and with You Hyun-myung climbing aboard, could make the breakthrough here. Kim Hye-sun rode four winner last Sunday and she has solid claims to pick up where she left off with (3) HANEUL MISO. She significantly improved at start number two on November 7th when prominent throughout and only narrowly beaten into 2nd. From a good draw she will be on pace again and can go one better. Among the first time starters, (7) GREEN PAPAGO was the fastest in trials, coming from off the pace to run on well. She has fair claims first-up as does (2) GLOBAL YEOSIN who was on pace throughout her heat and ran 2nd in a similarly decent time. (12) ALL CROWN wasn’t especially quick in her trial but she did cross the line first and is another to take note of.

Selections(9) Queen’s Daero (3) Haneul Miso (7) Green Papago (2) Global Yeosin
Next Best12, 4
Fast Start2, 3, 5, 12

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Allowance / KRW 25 Million

(3) CHIEF OFFICER returned from three months out to run a significantly improved 2rd place at 1200M on November 5th, beating a couple of these in the process. He comes up a full 4kg in the weights which would normally be a red flag given he had done nothing prior to it, but the form in this race is so patchy, that 3rd is enough for him to go on top. He was ridden on pace for the first time that day and despite the additional trip should be again. (2) HERO MAN came from off the pace to run 6th at this distance on November 14th. He draws better today and seems to be the main danger. (1) OBAEK JANGGUN ran 8th in the same race, running on from an unpromising position. The time he recorded there, while not fast, is enough to put him in the mix in this company. (11) DOCTOR CANDY is another who showed some signs of improvement at her latest appearance when 4th behind Chief Officer at 1200M. She along with (12) RHIANNON POINT, should be in the placing frame.

Selections(3) Chief Officer (2) Hero Man (1) Obaek Janggun (11) Doctor Candy
Next Best12, 5
Fast Start5, 8, 10, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(3) BEOLMAUI STAR was an all the way winner over 1000M on debut on November 5th. He comes up in both class and distance today but should have enough about him to handle both and he can win again. (11) GOLDENTHUNDERBOLT ran 2nd in both his first two starts before finding things touch in the Gimhae Mayor’s Cup on his first try at 1300M. He should have come on for that and while the draw isn’t ideal, he can be given another chance today. (4) SUNSET MELODY was a winner at this distance on debut at class 6 level and while she weakened to 6th place on her first try at this level on November 7th. She should be in the mix here, as should (1) GOLDEN who finished one place ahead of her in 4th in that race having led for much of the way around. (10) NAMED returned from six months out to run 8th of eleven in a fair time at this trip on November 14th and can build on that run here.

Selections(3) Beolmaui Star (11) Goldenthunderbolt (4) Sunset Melody (1) Golden
Next Best10, 12
Fast Start3, 4, 11, 12

Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (6) B. K. MARSHALL has never been worse than 3rd in three starts so far and got her breakthrough at her latest outing when she settled back before running on strong to score at this distance on November 7th. She comes up in class again here but finds herself in very amenable filly only company and looks to be the one to beat. The main danger is perhaps one of the three first-time starters. (2) UNBREAK led in her trial ultimately crossing the line a close 2nd place. The Shanghai Bobby filly draws nicely to get on pace again and could well be dangerous. (5) HAPPY WITCH has run consistently decent times at this distance and while it seems she has found her level in this class, she can run into some money here. (3) MASTER QUEEN and another debut-maker (8) GEUMA MAIA are others who could go well.

Selections(6) B. K. Marshall (2) Unbreak (5) Happy Witch (3) Master Queen
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start2, 3, 7, 9

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Competitive race here. (1) WONDER BLADE has been a model of consistency across seven starts so far, with two wins to his name. He comes up in trip to a mile for the first time but there is no reason it can’t suit and from the inside gate, he has solid claims. Similarly consistent is (11) QUEEN HARLEY. She beat three of these on her way to 3rd place over 1800M on November 12th and while she is up 3kg on her class and distance win two starts back, she still gets weight from Wonder Blade. She doesn’t need to lead so the draw shouldn’t be too disadvantageous. (5) GOLDEN KAISER was 4th in the November 12th race and is another one in the hunt to match or better while (6) QUEEN VRONSKY comes in off a smart class and distance 2nd on November 5th. That was a big uptick on her recent form but she only comes up 1kg in weight and can go well again. Up in class (4) ADELE CROWN, a front-running winner over this trip on November 5th, is another to be considered.

Selections(1) Wonder Blade (11) Queen Harley (5) Golden Kaiser (6) Queen Vronsky
Next Best4, 12
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 12

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(7) SPEED MATCH was sent off as an odds-on favourite at this class over 1400M on November 5th but dipped coming of the gate and then bumped another horse, losing position. While he worked home very well, he couldn’t quite get there and had to settle for a 2nd. They come up in trip today and Speed Match can overturn the form on that day’s beneficiary (4) SUNLIGHT BOY, who grabbed an early lead and never let it go, holding off Speed Match by a Head on the line. He comes up 3kg but draws well to get on pace again and must be taken seriously. (2) FLAT BABE is another up in trip following a good win at this class over 1400M on October 22nd. She broke fairly that day before taking up the running at the top of the straight and finishing off well. She comes up a full 4kg but can be competitive again. (6) TOHAM STAR comes in off a strong 2nd behind the very good Domination over this distance at the end of October and along with (3) JUST WIN, is another in at least the placing frame.

Selections(7) Speed Match (4) Sunlight Boy (2) Flat Babe (6) Toham Star
Next Best3, 11
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 11

Busan Race 7: Class 2 (1800M) Allowance / KRW 90 Million

(5) B. K JOHN comes in having won his latest two in fine style, both at this distance and most recently at this class when he beat several of these handily on November 5th. He comes up 3kg in the weights but draws nicely enough and should have too much again. (3) GEUMA MYSTIC was second-favourite in that November 5th race but from a wide draw struggled to find position and his challenge never really arrived. He has run well at this distance though and from a much better gate today, he can be given another chance. (10) DIAMOND MARINE crossed from gate eleven in the November 5th race to lead until the middle of the home stretch before battling on gallantly for 3rd. He scarcely draws any better today but can place again. Among those who didn’t run in that race, (12) JANGSAN DOKKI and (9) YEONGSEONG ACE are perhaps the best.

Selections(5) B. K John (3) Geuma Mystic (10) Diamond Marine (12) Jangsan Dokki
Next Best9, 8
Fast Start6, 8, 10, 11