Day: August 25, 2023

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 26)

Seoul returns to a daytime schedule on Saturday with 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Juvenile maidens with eight of the eleven racing for the first time. The exposed form isn’t very good so we will side with debut-makers. (3) USEUNG CONCORD will be favourite. A half-brother to many winners, most notably the prolific Mirae Yeongung, he ran 2nd in a July trial, settling midfield and running on well. The time wasn’t quick, but he looked accomplished enough and with Moon Se-young up, he will be expected to win first-up here. (4) SEGWANG FIGHTER was similarly a close 2nd in his heat also having settled midfield from a wide gate. He won’t need to improve much on that to go close here. (1) GEUMSE posted a fair time in his heat and looks the best of the rest at this stage. (7) EUNPA PARTNER is another first-timer who hinted at ability in his trial while among the three who have raced already, (9) BAEDARI HYANGGI looks the most likely to improve.

Selections(3) Useung Concord (4) Segwang Fighter (1) Geumse (7) Eunpa Partner
Next Best9, 2
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 7

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

The second division of the juvenile maiden although this half has just four of twelve racing for the first time. (1) RAON THE TAP ran 2nd on debut in a similar race at this distance on July 15th when he overcame gate eleven to run on well. He has a much better draw this time around and can be on pace this time and can win. That will mean overturning the form on (7) NAEGILUI WINNER, who ran 2nd in that July 15th race on what was also his debut. He led for much of the way around and will be aiming to do similar here. (5) JECHUK IHO ran close to Raon The Tap in a trial and then ran a good 2nd on debut in a quick time on July 23rd, racing on pace throughout. Like the others he should have derived benefit from that and shouldn’t be far away. Of the first timers, (8) LUCKY PARTY is the pick, having improved in the second of two trials in July. (6) SEOUL DOLPUNG, the only one to have raced twice, the best of the rest.

Selections(1) Raon The Tap (7) Naegilui Winner (5) Jechuk Iho (8) Lucky Party
Next Best6, 12
Fast Start1, 5, 6, 7

Seoul Race 3: Class 4 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 75 Million

Valuable maiden for imported juveniles (northern hemisphere) and three-year-olds (southern). We’ll take a chance on a couple of debut-makers in the shape of (11) UWANGRYUNG. The Tapwrit colt won a trial very handily at the beginning of the month leading all the way around and while the draw is a touch wider than ideal, if he brings that form to the races, he can win. (6) DREAM ISLE also goes around for the first time. He went through two trials, improving significantly in the second of them on August 4th (which may not appear on all race cards as it wasn’t a mandatory trial). Moon Se-young’s presence aboard will ensure he is well backed and with some more improvement he can be a danger. As for those with experience, (2) POWER PALIYEONG showed not to rely too much on trial performances as he was the longest shot on the board on debut on July 22nd but defied that to finish a good 2nd over 1000M. He ran through the line well and the step up in trip may suit. (10) ENDING FIRE and (4) SINUI EREUM others who may improve.

Selections(11) Uwangryung (6) Dream Isle (2) Power Paliyeong (10) Ending Fire
Next Best4, 1
Fast Start1, 4, 7, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

A weak maiden. (12) HAYAN TAEYANG improved to 4th at start number two all the way back in May. She hasn’t raced since but with Antonio climbing on, that’s enough for her to go on top here. She ran on in both her races so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and she can win. (8) DAMJAENGI ARGO has finished 4th or 5th in five of seven starts. She has posted fair times and she should be claiming a best to date finish here. (4) YONGBICHEON managed a 3rd place two starts back over this trip when racing handy. The same apprentice who rode her that day returns so she comes in carrying just 50kg and she should be in the hunt. (6) MENI WIN and (7) ARCH CLASS others to consider in a very modest affair.

Selections(12) Hayan Taeyang (8) Damjaengi Argo (4) Yongbicheon (6) Meni Win
Next Best7, 9
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 8

Seoul Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(11) WINNER DRAGON is the one to beat here. His best finish was two starts back when a close 2nd over 1200M having settled back and run on and he followed that up with a fair 5th over 1300M on August 6th. He steps up to 1400M for the first time and it could well be what he needs to make the breakthrough. (6) JECHUK ILHO has a 3rd place to his name over this trip and while he could only manage 7th on his most recent start, he did finish ahead of a couple of today’s rivals. In this limited field, he shapes as the main danger. (8) CHOEGANG NICE was one of those behind Jechuk Ilho last time out. He tends to get a bit far back in his races, but he has a good finish on him and if in striking range, he can pass plenty late one. (2) SAEBYEOK BULBIT and (9) YEJIMONG others in the minor money frame.

(more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 25)

It’s back to daytime schedules from this week. Racing gets underway on Friday at Busan with 7 races from 12:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Twelve unraced juveniles. (9) LAST DRAGON will be favourite having run 2nd in a trial in a quick time. He was on pace throughout and will be expected to lead and go all the way here. (8) DIA GRIT went through two trials, just scraping through the first in May but winning the second on July 22nd when she settled just behind the early leaders and ran on pleasingly. Like the other fillies, she gets a nice weight allowance here and can go well first-up. (2) STRIDING MAN wen through three trials and by the third of them in July, looked to be getting the hang of things, sitting handy and running on for 4th in a good time. From a nice draw he can do similar here. (7) STRIKE ZONE beat a couple of today’s rivals when winning a trial on July 15th. The time wasn’t quick, but he showed enough to suggest he has some ability. (4) HANEULPYEONGJEONG another who did well in trials.   

Selections(9) Last Dragon (8) Dia Grit (2) Striding Man (7) Strike Zone
Next Best4, 5
Fast Start2, 6, 7, 10

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

(2) AJANTA came from off the pace to run 5th in a decent time over 1000M on debut on July 21st. She should have come on for that run, the additional furlong can suit, and she has winning claims here. The main danger is (1) KING FIGHTER. He’s raced twice before, improving in the second of them on July 30th when leading for much of the way around over today’s trip and ultimately coming home a close 4th. From a good draw, he should be on pace again and once more in it a long way. (7) AMBITIOUS GIRL debuted in the same race as Ajanta, coming home in 5th place, just half a length behind the selection. She too should have derived benefit from the experience and can make more progress. Debut-maker (10) DOCTOR LICA trialled up well and along with (8) DREAM WAY is another to consider.

Selections(2) Ajanta (1) King Fighter (7) Ambitious Girl (10) Doctor Lica
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start1, 5, 7, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(2) DREAM RUN will be a warm favourite. Her recent form has been consistent, and he has shown aptitude for a mile with a 2nd and a 3rd in her latest two, most recently on July 30th when close to the pace throughout and beating a few of today’s rivals. A similar run here should see her win. (4) WITH STAR also beat a few of these when 3rd over 1400M on July 30th. That continued a pattern of improvement and while she was beaten by Dream Run two starts back, she should go close. (12) DOCTOR WICKY has mixed his form so far but the step up in trip can suit. Despite the wide draw he can be expected to be on the pace, and he may make for some interest at an each-way price. (11) RUN TO KING and (7) STORMY DAY are among others in the placing frame.

Selections(2) Dream Run (4) With Star (12) Doctor Wicky (11) Run To King
Next Best7, 10
Fast Start2, 4, 10, 12

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

(11) GOLDENTHUNDERBOLT is yet to score in sixteen attempts but has no fewer than six top-three finishes. He comes in off a 3rd and a 4th in his latest two, both at this distance and both in decent times. He has a strong finish so the wide draw shouldn’t be too much of a problem, and today can be his day. (1) MOTHER MOUNTAIN has won before at class 6 level, and she looks to be working back towards another win. She comes in off a smart 2nd place at class and distance on July 29th when she overcame the widest gate to sit behind the speed. She comes into a much better gate here and under a light weight, she can win. (6) BLUE CAPTAIN enters with recent form reading very pleasingly, with two 3rds and a 4th from his latest three. He can sit behind the speed here and should be involved at the business end. (4) TWO TWO LIME and (9) ILGANG DAERO among others to consider.

(more…)