Day: July 13, 2023

Busan Friday – Twilight Racing Begins: Race-By-Race Preview (July 14)

A short season of twilight racing begins this weekend. Things get underway at Busan on Friday with 7 races from 15:40 to 21:00. Here are the previews:

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Eleven previously unraced juveniles in the opener so we head to the trial videos (1) BLACK SPRING won his trial, racing in midfield from gate eight and then producing a strong effort in the closing stages to pull away under only minimal urging. The time wasn’t quick, but it was on a very dry track, and it wouldn’t surprise to see him win here. (2) CONTROLLER posted the fastest time in trials when running 2nd in a June heat, settling handy and then running on without the jockey needing to use his stick. He draws well and a repeat performance will see him in the mix first-up here. That fastest time will probably mean he starts the betting favourite locally. (6) HANGANG CLASS was an on-pace 3rd in his heat, and along with (3) YONGBI CHEONWANG and (10) BEST PRIME, can go well.

Selections(1) Black Spring (2) Controller (6) Hangang Class (3) Yongbi Cheonwang
Next Best10, 11
Fast Start2, 5, 6, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

It’s hard to go far past (1) DOCTOR KANE here. After a good trial, she debuted in an all-filly juvenile event on June 9th and sat behind the early speed before running on 2nd. She was eight-lengths behind the odds-on favourite winner, but five-lengths clear of the rest and with some natural improvement, she will be hard to beat. (3) COLUMBIA CHAMP debuted in that same race, initially settling back before working home well for 4th place. She has plenty to make up on Doctor Kane, but she too should have derived benefit from that run and can be a contender at this slightly extended trip. (5) MAGIC ELEVEN has a 3rd place to her name and among those who have tackled this distance before, by far the quickest time. Seo Seung-un climbs on and she should be close. (9) THE ONE and (4) HOTFLEX others who can enter the placing calculations.

Selections(1) Doctor Kane (3) Columbia Champ (5) Magic Eleven (9) The One
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 7

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

(9) HAMA has been getting closer across her five starts so far culminating in a 2nd place over 1300M on June 16th when racing behind the leaders and running on well. She steps up to 1400M for the first time and she can make her breakthrough here. (3) B. K. HUNTER returned from five months out to run 3rd over 1300M on June 23rd. He should strip fitter for that run and can go close again. (7) KELLY QUEEN came home 4th when sent off at big odds over this distance on June 30th. She returns quickly here and, in this company, should be on pace and can be in this a long way. (8) HAEUNDAE JEONSEOL and (5) CHOICE ROAD will need their respective latest starts overlooked but, in this field, can be competitive.

Selections(9) Hama (3) B. K. Hunter (7) Kelly Queen (8) Haeundae Jeonseol
Next Best5, 4
Fast Start5, 7, 8, 9

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) SUCCESS SHOW ME comes up in class having notched his maiden win at start number two on June 18th when he was on pace throughout and crossed the line a cool ten-lengths to the good. He is up in distance as well but that shouldn’t be a problem and he can win again here. (7) VERLUC took a couple of goes to figure things out, but he too comes up in class following a 2nd place in May and then an all the way four-length score over 1300M on June 16th. He’ll be challenging Success Show Me for the early lead and he can be in this a long way. (2) NAMYANG BOLT beat a couple of these on his way to 5th place over 1300M on his first try at this class on June 18th. He holds a win at this trip and from a good gate can be a danger here. (10) WAITING FOR YOU and (1) MORNING MUSE among others in the hunt.

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