Busan flies solo for the last day of racing in July. There are 15 races from 11:35 to 19:00:
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million
Juvenile maidens in the opener with all eleven racing for the very first time so we must head for the trial videos. They won’t detain us for very long because (4) FANTASTIC FIELD was by far the star performer, leading all the way in his heat to cross the line as many lengths to the good as he pleased in a quick time. He will be a short-price favourite and if he brings anything like that form to the races, he will win. (9) HIT SOCKS finished off his trial very nicely, making up excellent ground late on. It wasn’t a quick heat, but he showed plenty of promise. (11) OVER ENERGY trialled on a very wet track and ran on well under only a small amount of encouragement and looks to have promise. (7) BURUI JEWANG was sked to do a little more in his heat but ran well, leading for much of the way. He should be on pace here and can be competitive. (8) PURE DANCE went quite wide in his trial but ran on pleasingly at the business end and is another who can make an immediate impact.
| Selections | (4) Fantastic Field (9) Hit Socks (11) Over Energy (7) Burui Jewang |
| Next Best | 8, 1 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(9) KALJABI has raced three times so far, finishing in the top four on each occasion. While he has drawn a touch wide here, with a bit of luck at the start, he can get on pace, and he will take some beating. (3) ACE A MOCA has a 3rd place to her name at this distance and she is set to be one of the main dangers. She had to contend with gate eleven last time out but should have an easier run of it today. (8) CORNER ONE debuted over 1000M on July 7th, settling right back and running on strongly with a very quick final furlong before running out of track. The additional distance today can suit. (1) CONCORD PARK and (7) GLORY CROWN others to consider. A final note, the solitary debut maker (2) SINGAPORE PARTY doesn’t make it into the top line of numbers, but she went through a second voluntary trial after qualifying and posted a much better performance and time (1:03.5) from a wide gate. This may not appear in all race cards.
| Selections | (9) Kaljabi (3) Ace A Moca (8) Corner One (1) Concord Park |
| Next Best | 7, 2 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(1) DOCTOR BROWN is one for one having scored in debut in a quick race over 1000M on July 7th when he settled just behind the leaders early before proving too strong. He comes up in both class and in distance here, but neither should be a problem and from a great draw, he can be on pace and can maintain his 100% record. (9) HELLO SUNSHINE looks the standout second pick. He made all to win over this distance in April before coming close to repeating the trick on his first try at this class over 1300M in May only to be caught late on. He has had ten weeks off since then so comes in fresh and back slightly in trip, he warrants consideration. Back in trip may also be the key for (6) ABERLOUR. He finished midfield on his latest at 1400M but the start before when 3rd at this class and distance suggests he can be competitive here (8) GOLDENTHUNDERBOLT and (4) E-CASH among plenty of others with placing chances.
| Selections | (1) Doctor Brown (9) Hello Sunshine (6) Aberlour (8) Goldenthunderbolt |
| Next Best | 4, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 9, 11 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Tricky race. (5) NICE DAY defied odds of nearly 50/1 to win at class and distance on June 9th, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. That was his first try at this class but his form going in had been good and the win perhaps wasn’t as much a surprise as the odds suggest. He draws a better gate here and the engagement of an apprentice jockey means he carries even less weight. A repeat isn’t impossible. (7) HANGANG SAVER was a class and distance winner in a super quick time in March before having a hard time in a valuable trophy race in May. He bounced back with a 4th place on June 18th, and he should be on pace and in the mix here. (1) HANEUL JEWANG was 3rd behind Nice Day in that June 9th race and has since run 3rd over 1400M. He carries a light weight and should be close. The wildcard is (9) SPECIAL ROAD, who has four top-three finishes from five starts. She comes up in class from her last race in March, but she looked very well when winning a trial just last weekend. If she didn’t leave her race there, she has a chance. (8) BLUE CARSON is another to keep safe.
| Selections | (5) Nice Day (7) Hangang Saver (1) Haneul Jewang (9) Special Road |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 8 |
Busan Race 5: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(5) CAPTAIN COMMANDO has steadily improved across three starts so far, culminating in 2nd place over 1200M on June 30th. He was well beaten by a good winner but that was his first race back since January and he should strip fitter for the run. He can settle behind the early pace, and he can potentially go one better here. (7) CAPTIN DIA may be due an edit of the spelling of his name, but he showed potential on debut on June 23rd when settling back but running on strongly for 2nd place over 1000M. The additional furlong and a half should suit him and with some natural improvement, he can be a danger. Keeping with the “Captain” theme, (8) BRAVE CAPTAIN comes in off a solid 3rd place over 1200M last time out on July 2nd, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. In this company he should be on pace and can be in this a long way. (3) PIMI and (10) RICH COWBOY both come in off places at this distance and are among plenty of others who can aim for at least the minors.
| Selections | (5) Captain Commando (7) Captin Dia (8) Brave Captain (3) Pimi |
| Next Best | 10, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 6, 8 |
Busan Race 6: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
Back to maidens here. (5) RUN TO KING is probably favourite on the strength of his last start 3rd place when he overcame gate ten to beat a couple of these over this distance. He has finished between 3rd and 5th on four out of six prior starts and from a better gate today, he could be the one to beat. (1) POWER RIDE has the fastest time among the ones here who have tackled the distance before, set two starts back when he was 2nd having race on pace. He was a below par 6th of eleven when well-backed on his latest appearance but is worth another chance here. (9) WITH STAR was an improved 4th when stepped up to a mile on June 25th having raced on pace. She can maintain that progress here. The humbly named (3) THE BEST EVER, along with (6) CHOICE ROAD are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (5) Run To King (1) Power Ride (9) With Star (3) The Best Ever |
| Next Best | 6, 11 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 7: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million
(4) DREAM RUN beat three of these on his way to a runner-up finish over a mile on June 25th when settling right back from gate eleven and then running on strongly in the closing stages. He comes up 3kg in the weights, but that’s balanced by a much better gate and with a better start, he will be hard to hold out this time. (7) I’M KING IJI has finished in the top-five on six of seven occasions so far without being able to crack the top-two. He generally finishes off his races adequately and stepping up to a mile for the first time may suit. (9) UNJU BONNEUNG was 5th behind Dream Run in that June 25th race. He also has a runner-up finish over 1300M and may one of the pacesetters here. (8) COLONEL FLYING and (5) DOCTOR NEXT are other placing hopes.
| Selections | (4) Dream Run (7) I’m King Iji (9) Unju Bonneung (8) Colonel Flying |
| Next Best | 5, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 7, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 8: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(3) SUCCESS TIME was an also-ran in the Korean Oaks at the start of June, never figuring from a wide draw. That was her first non-top-four finish on her sixth start and she has a 3rd place to her name at this class over 1800M. Back in shallower waters today, she can be expected to be on the early pace, and she will be a warm favourite. (2) USEUNGMUPAE comes up in class after a maiden win at start number ten over 1300M on June 30th. He has placed at this distance in the past and down in the weights and from a good gate, he can measure up in this company. (5) SEOGWI FLASH is a winner at this class already and enters off a solid 4th over 1400M on July 14th. She steps up to a mile for the first time and it can suit. (6) BLACK VOLT will need to be forgiven his latest but if we go on his 2nd place two starts back at class and distance, he can be given a chance. (10) WORLD POINT another minor money hope.
| Selections | (3) Success Time (2) Useungmupae (5) Seogwi Flash (6) Black Volt |
| Next Best | 10, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 9: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(8) HONOR LORD gets the verdict here. He got his maiden win three starts back over 1200M and has since run 3rd in both tries at this class at 1400M and 1300M. He can run well both from the front and by settling back and running on and he looks to have another win in him here. (2) GOLDEN STELLA is yet to win but has finished 2nd in all three of her starts to fate, most recently at this class over 1200M on June 18th. She steps up in trip for the first time, she should be on pace, and while she may find one too quick yet again, she should go close. (4) ROAD TO QUEEN enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes at this class, most recently beating a couple of todays rivals in a good time over this distance on July 9th. That was a time quicker than any of the others here have achieved over the seven furlongs and she can be a danger here. (7) DAEHO NARA and (3) SUCCESS FRONT among others in the hunt.
| Selections | (8) Honor Lord (2) Golden Stella (4) Road To Queen (7) Daeho Nara |
| Next Best | 3, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 8 |
Busan Race 10: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (4) WORLD FIVE enters off a good runner-up finished over 1200M on July 9th when close to the pace throughout. That was her second start back following five months off and while she comes up in the weights, she could be peaking fitness wise here and today can be her day from a very good draw. (7) FANTASTIC WOMAN comes in having gone down to a very narrow defeat last time out at class and distance on June 30th (to one of today’s rivals. She has consistently run good times and while she too is up in the weights, she can go close again. That will mean overturning the form on (2) AQUA MAGIC, who was the surprise winner of that June 30th race. She did absolutely nothing on her reappearance a couple of weeks later but shouldn’t be completely ruled out here if she can get a good start and get close to the speed. (8) STELL LUNA too needs a line drawn through her latest but otherwise has a solid record at this level. She along with (1) DALEHOLRINGWANGDAE are others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (4) World Five (7) Fantastic Woman (2) Aqua Magic (8) Stell Luna |
| Next Best | 1, 11 |
| Fast Start | 4, 7, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 11: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(10) LUCKIEST GIRL was sent off as favourite on debut over 1400M on June 30th and she led for much of the way around before tiring late on and finishing back in the pack. It was in no way a bad showing and she should have derived benefit from that experience. She drops back in trip and with some natural improvement, she can win against what is perhaps a weaker set of opponents to last time. She will though need to overturn the form on (4) LOKI BLISS, who finished 2nd in that June 30th race having settled back and run on. She comes in under the same weight and gets a better gate and shouldn’t be dismissed. (11) SEONGSIL STAR is a local bred who comes into class 4 (the imports like Luckiest Girl start at class 4) having won two of his latest three and he can measure up in this company. (3) BEASTLY is the only one in the field to have won over this trip and he along with (9) LOUD COLOR are others who can enter the calculations.
| Selections | (10) Luckiest Girl (4) Loki Bliss (11) Seongsil Star (3) Beastly |
| Next Best | 9, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 12: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) FAST GUN was a winner at this class and distance two starts back before finishing back in the pack when tried at a mile on June 23rd. That was his first finish outside of the top-three and while he carries a full 4.5kg more than when he won, he comes back in trip and can be given another chance today. (11) RELEASE EDITION comes in off a good 3rd place at class and distance a month ago. He may need a touch of luck at the start to find his preferred handy position, and he does carry his fair share of weight, but he isn’t to be dismissed. (3) MULTI HIT is up in class following a 2nd and a 3rd in his latest two at 1200M and 1300M. He likes to be on pace and the class rise is balanced by a good draw and a significant drop in weight and those combined can make him competitive here. (10) MIGHTY STORM and (5) BLUE ICON among others in the hunt.
| Selections | (2) Fast Gun (11) Release Edition (3) Multi Hit (10) Mighty Storm |
| Next Best | 5, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 11 |
Busan Race 13: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Tricky race with plenty having credible chances. (8) WONDERFUL APPEAL has run 3rd in both starts at this class so far, at 1400M and latterly at a mile on June 23rd when he beat a couple of today’s rivals in the process. He is versatile in that he can run well from the front in addition to having a good finish on him and continuing under a light weight, he has solid claims. (10) WONDERFUL CHANCE comes back in trip having scored a pair of 5th place finishes over 1800M on his first two tries at this level. He comes down in the weights under today’s handicap conditions and he won his only previous start at a mile. He can be a big danger. (3) TEUKGEUP CAMP has won just one of eighteen, but he is consistently there or thereabouts. From a good draw he may be ridden closer a little earlier than usual here and can be in this a long way. (6) SAEKDAL FIGHTER and (4) COME ON FIRST others in the minor money frame.
| Selections | (8) Wonderful Appeal (10) Wonderful Chance (3) Teukgeup Camp (6) Saekdal Fighter |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 10 |
Busan Race 14: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(4) UNJU OCEAN found himself overmatched in the Owners’ Cup over this distance on June 9th but didn’t’ run badly against a true class 1 field. That was always going to be a very big ask just second-up following five months out and he returns to sallower waters and a much more suitable assignment here. Form a good draw, he can be on pace, and he should take some beating. (8) SORI TAEPUNG beat three of these on his way to 2nd place over 1800M on July 7th, racing close to the pace throughout. He carries almost the same weight and will be expected to be on the speed again and can be in this a long way. (2) UNJU EUTTEUM was 3rd in that July 7th race having led for much of the way around. He is once more done no favours by the weights but draws nicely and will be shorter than the 43/1 he was sent off at that day but still available at an each-way price at least. (3) CHOEGANG LIGER and (9) I WILL BE FREE among others to consider
| Selections | (4) Unju Ocean (8) Sori Taepung (2) Unju Eutteum (3) Choegang Liger |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 15: Class 1 (1800M) Special Weight B / KRW 110 Million
(9) CRAZY CONTI has won two of his latest three and run 2nd in the other, beating plenty of these along the way at 1800M and 2000M. He has a very strong finish on him and while he does come up further in the weights today, he could well have too much once more. (8) CALM STRONG enters having pulled off her second consecutive KNN Cup win against her fellow filles and mares over a mile on June 25th. While this is altogether a different type of challenge, she carries next to no weight at all, she should be on the speed, and the rest will need to get past her. She may not make it easy. (3) FLAT BABE was disappointing in that KNN Cup, but she comes back to 52kg for the first time since beating Group winner Tuhonui Banseok and Winner’s Man at this class and distance in February. Don’t rule out a return to form. Double Classic winner (4) CAPTAIN YANKEE is third-up this preparation and potentially coming back into form. He, along with (6) BUSANHANG GALMAEGI are others to keep safe.
| Selections | (9) Crazy Conti (8) Calm Strong (3) Flat Babe (4) Captain Yankee |
| Next Best | 6, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6, 8 |
Horse Racing in Korea 