This year’s juveniles get their first opportunities to run for serious prizes on Sunday as both Seoul and Busan hold their “Rookie Stakes” races, the lead in to the Juvenile Series this autumn. There are 10 races at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 7 at Busan from 11:40 to 17:00. Triple Tiara winner Jeulgeounyeojeong will also be in action in Busan’s Class 1 finale. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with three of the ten racing for the first time. There’s no clear favourite so we’ll go with (4) GREAT STORM at what could be a decent price. He overcame gate eleven to run a decent 4^th on debut over 1000M on July 23^rd, when settling just behind the speed and running on. The time wasn’t especially quick but the step up in trip can suit and he has as good a chance as any. (5) HWASANGWIHWAN won a May trail and then following an indifferent debut was an improved 5^th of eleven over this distance on July 16^th racing on pace. He looks nicely in here and should be a danger. (1) EUNPA SARANG was a fair 5^th in debut in July and should have come on for the run. (7) YEOWANG SOCKS and first-time starter (2) WONDERFUL JET others in the frame.

Selections	(4) Great Storm (5) Hwasangwihwan (1) Eunpa Sarang (7) Yeowang Socks
Next Best	2, 10
Fast Start	4, 5, 7, 9

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

The stable has zero wins from 135 starters so far in 2023 but that really should change here with (4) NAOL SIDAE. He comes in off a much-improved 2^nd place at start number two on June 10^th when settling midfield and running on in a good time. He draws nicely and today should be his day. Should the unthinkable happen and the losing streak continue, it’s most likely to be at the hands of (2) JANGHEUNG CLASS. He enters having run 4^th on July 22^nd despite losing a lot of ground around the turn when resenting kickback and racing ungenerously. He’s been back to trial since then and with a more mature performance here, he can be a danger. (5) TESTA BLUE was a touch disappointing last time out but based on his 2^nd place over this distance in early July is worth another chance here. Debut-maker (8) TOJONG GLORY along with (7) NEW POINT are other possibles for minor money.

Selections	(4) Naol Sidae (2) Jangheung Class (5) Testa Blue (8) Tojong Glory
Next Best	7, 11
Fast Start	2, 5, 7, 11

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener on the South Coast with five of the twelve racing for the first time. (4) HIT SOCKS debuted on July 30^th over 1000M and beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to a strong 2^nd in a quick time coming from off the pace. The way he finished off suggests that the additional furlong can only be in his favour, and he can win this. (3) OVER ENERGY debuted in the same race overcoming a wide draw to run on for 3^rd, just half a length behind Hit Socks. He too should have come on for the run and can go close again. (11) GLOBAL TAEYANG was a quick 2^nd over 1000M on her debut on July 21^st. She showed a really good turn of foot late on and she is another who the extra trip should suit. (5) GEUMA PRECEDE and (9) ROAD STAR, who debuted together on July 23^rd, are among others to consider.

Selections	(4) Hit Socks (3) Over Energy (11) Global Taeyang (5) Geuma Precede
Next Best	9, 7
Fast Start	2, 3, 8, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

This is a competitive maiden. (7) SMART SOCKS just about gets the verdict having steadily gotten closer in her latest few culminating in 2^nd place at this distance in a good time on August 5^th when leading for most of the way around and she can go one better today. (10) BEAT RACER has been similarly knocking on the door in recent efforts which include a runner-up finish two starts back at this distance. Moon Se-young is engaged again, and the pair are sure to have plenty of backers. (12) NAOL JEONGSANG debuted on Christmas Day last year, running a decent 4^th but then wasn’t seen again until a month ago. He should strip fitter for that comeback run and can be a factor here. (3) FLYING ZEST and (9) SMART CLAIR look to be the logical other placing hopes.

Selections	(7) Smart Socks (10) Beat Racer (12) Naol Jeongsang (3) Flying Zest
Next Best	9, 6
Fast Start	3, 5, 7, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

Competitive race with two standouts.  Humbly named (7) THE BEST EVER enters off a smart runner-up finish at what was his fourth career start on July 30^th when racing handy throughout. He is one of only two in the race to have tackled this distance before and he can use that experience to his advantage here. (2) CORNER ONE shapes as the danger. He’s finished 5^th in both starts so far at 1000M and 1200M. He has finished off his races very smartly and the additional furlong should be exactly what he needs to get closer. (9) HOTFLEX raced twice last autumn without distinction but returned in July following nine months off and ran a good 2^nd over 1200M. He should have derived benefit from that run and can be competitive here. (11) GRAY BOSS and (3) ANOTHER ONE are other ones to keep safe.

(more…)