The 2023 Triple Crown gets underway on Sunday when a full field of sixteen line up for the KRA Cup Mile at Busan. See here for a full preview of the big race. The Cup Mile is the last of 6 races at Busan which run from 11:00 to 15:45. There is also an 11 race meeting at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1:  Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens in the opener. (7) YEOLJEONG ARGO was a much-improved 2^nd at start number four over this distance on April 1^st. She led almost the entire way around, ultimately going down narrowly but in a time as quick as any have managed in this field. A similar run can see her win this. The main danger is (10) MY THUNDER. She ran an on-pace 3^rd on debut at this trip on March 25^th and while the draw is slightly wider than ideal, she should have enough early speed to get to a prominent position. (8) TUHON TEUKGEUP has hinted at ability across two starts so far and has a time for the distance equal to that of Yeoljeong Argo. That is enough to bring her firmly into placing contention in this company. (3) AKKAENGI and debut-maker (2) SARYEONI BULLET are others with minor money hopes.

Selections	(7) Yeoljeong Argo (10) My Thunder (8) Tuhon Teukgeup (3) Akkaengi
Next Best	2, 9
Fast Start	4, 5, 7, 10

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maidens and seven of the twelve are racing for the very first time. We’ll take a chance on a couple of those debutantes, firstly (3) ROSE BLADE. He ran on well in his trial to stop the clock in a decent time and while the heat was perhaps a little fast due to the presence of a class 1 horse (Domination), if he brings that form to the races, he can go well first-up. (7) HAENGBOK CHUKJE went even quicker in her trial when crossing the line 2^nd having sat handy throughout. That was back in February so it has taken her a while to get race-ready, but she could be worth the wait here. (9) SUCCESS SHOW ME was a little slower in his trial, but he beat a couple of these in the process and that’s enough to have him in the frame here. Turning to the experienced ones, (2) CHEONGMAUI JILJU and (10) HAERANG JANGGUN are the most likely to improve.

Selections	(3) Rose Blade (7) Haengbok Chukje (9) Success Show Me (2) Cheongmaui Jilju
Next Best	10, 8
Fast Start	3, 6, 7, 9

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies with two of the ten racing for the first time. (2) PHOENIX CLASS is the one to beat having followed up a positive trial with a good 2^nd place on debut over 1200M on February 25^th when on pace throughout. She should have come on for that run, she draws well here, and she can lead all the way this time.  (1) MENI CHARM was a much-improved 2^nd at start number four on April 2^nd when ridden on pace for the first time. She was well-beaten by a good winner but can put in a bold showing again today. Those two look head and shoulders above the rest although (5) BARAMUI HYANGGI does have a 3^rd place to her name and that alone is enough the give her at least a placing chance in this company. Debut-maker (10) BOREUM DALBIT went through two trials in fair times and couldn’t wish for a softer race to debut in. (4) RUBY AGAIN another in the minor hunt.

Selections	(2) Phoenix Class (1) Meni Charm (5) Baramui Hyanggi (10) Boreum Dalbit
Next Best	4, 3
Fast Start	2, 5, 6, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(11) HEARTBREAKER has two 3^rd places from his four starts so far including his most recent on April 9^th when sitting handy all the way over 1300M. He comes up in trip and what with there being an absence of early speed in this race, the wide draw shouldn’t stop him from finding a good position. He has as good a chance as any. The rise in trip may suit (3) VELOCIRAPTOR. She’s worked through the line well in her latest two appearances, finishing 3^rd both times at 1200M. From a good gate, Jeon Jin-gu can pick his spot and finish well. (7) TTANBONG QUEEN significantly improved when tried at 1400M on March 24^th, securing her best finish to date in 2^nd in a good time. She too may benefit from a further raise in journey today. (4) HAENGBOKAN GIL and (5) STAR DRAGON among others in the placing frame.

Selections	(11) Heartbreaker (3) Velociraptor (7) Ttanbong Queen (4) Haengbokhan Gil
Next Best	5, 6
Fast Start	2, 7, 9, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(1) SAVANA CHARLIE will be the favourite here. He has run 4^th in both his latest two at 1300M and 1400M, coming from off the pace both times. This is not an especially intimidating field and similar efforts to those two should see him win. The main danger is (8) ZEROBAEK FIVE. She may be yet to finish in the top-two in thirteen attempts, but she has picked up minor money finishes in comparable company before, including last time when an on-pace 5^th. She is one-paced but that should be enough to see her on the board here. (10) HERO QUEEN does have at least a 3^rd place finish to her name. In this company, she should be passing plenty late on if not already on pace. (9) RED TAEPUNG and (4) HAMPYEONG FIGHTER are others who can be considered for the minors.

Selections	(1) Savana Charlie (8) Zerobaek Five (10) Hero Queen (9) Red Taepung
Next Best	4, 7
Fast Start	2, 4, 5, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) YEONGGWANGUI ACE comes in having run 3^rd to Betelgeuse in the Busan Classic Trial over this distance on March 19^th, just over four-lengths behind the KRA Cup Mile favourite. He skips the Cup Mile and comes here instead and from a good draw and under a light weight, he is the one to beat. The main danger will break from the adjoining gate. (5) GRAND SUN returned from eleven months out to win over 1300M at class 5 level in February before running 2^nd in a double-quick time over this class and distance on March 24^th, starting slowly and settling back before running on. Third-up this preparation, he can be peaking fitness-wise, and he has strong claims. (1) K.AI enters off a good 4^th place over 1200M on March 19^th and from a much better gate can match or better that here. (2) B.K. NEW MOON is up 3kg in weight following a rather unexpected class and distance win at the end of March but shouldn’t be dismissed. (3) MAN OF THE STAR among others in the frame.

Selections	(4) Yeonggwangui Ace (5) Grand Sun (1) K.Ai (2) B.K. New Moon
Next Best	3, 11
Fast Start	1, 3, 4, 8

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(1) COMPLETE FORCE gets the nod here. He comes in off a 3^rd and a 2^nd from his latest two, both over class and distance and both times overcoming wider gates to get to a forward position. He does come up in weight here but that’s balanced by a better draw, and he is the one to beat. (7) BARAMUI GEOM returned from five months out to run 3^rd at class and distance on April 2^nd, racing handy and briefly hitting the lead in the straight. He should strip fitter for that run and should go close here. (5) NEVER AGAIN comes up in class following a maiden win at 1200M on March 26^th when coming from off the pace. He’s going to need to go quicker in this company, but he comes down in weights and still has scope for improvement. (10) SECRET PLAY and (9) DANDI among others in the money frame.

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