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 4th on debut over 1000M on July 23rd, 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 5th of eleven over this distance on July 16th racing on pace. He looks nicely in here and should be a danger. (1) EUNPA SARANG was a fair 5th 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 2nd place at start number two on June 10th 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 4th on July 22nd 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 2nd 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 30th over 1000M and beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to a strong 2nd 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 3rd, 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 2nd over 1000M on her debut on July 21st. 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 23rd, 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 2nd place at this distance in a good time on August 5th 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 4th 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 30th 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 5th 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 2nd 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.
| Selections | (7) The Best Ever (2) Corner One (9) Hotflex (11) Gray Boss |
| Next Best | 3, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 9, 12 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(5) DORIPO got her sole victory to date at this distance and his since run well three times at this class, most recently coming from well off the pace after a slow start to run 5th in a close finish on July 23rd. She comes down slightly in the weights, draws well and has every chance. (7) DAEHEUNG CLASS is yet to win in ten attempts but has five top-three finishes to his name, all in last five starts. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights from his 2nd place on July 22nd but he has placed under more than today’s weight before and he can keep his consistent run going. (10) ORCHID VALLEY bled last time but was still 3rd at class and distance. He has since come through a mandatory trial without a problem and all being well, he can go close here. The up in class pair of (8) TI AMO and (11) GOLD MIGHTY both look to have the potential to develop further, and both can measure up at this level.
| Selections | (5) Doripo (7) Daeheung Class (10) Orchid Valley (8) Ti Amo |
| Next Best | 11, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(7) DOCTOR PERO got this maiden win last December and has been a model of consistency since being promoted to this level finishing between 2nd and 4th in all five attempts, four of them over today’s trio. He looks well in here and with Franco aboard, he can settle midfield and prove too strong. (6) SUCCESS FRONT secured his maiden win at a mile in June before dropping down to 1400M and running 2nd in a quick time over 1400M on his first try at this class on July 30th. He tackles two turns for the first time, and it can suit. Doctor Pero’s stablemate (4) DOCTOR NEXT comes up in class following his maiden win over a mile on July 30th when racing handy. He can measure up in this company. (11) DAEHO NARA and (8) SOLEDAD others to consider.
| Selections | (7) Doctor Pero (6) Success Front (4) Doctor Next (11) Daeho Nara |
| Next Best | 8, 10 |
| Fast Start | 5, 8, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million
(4) PERFECT GUN MAN was a beaten favourite last time out at class and distance on July 23rd but nevertheless ran a creditable 4th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. One more he carries his fair share of weight, but he has won at the class and distance under similar and he is worth another chance today. (10) CHEONDUNG OREUM was a 19/1 class and distance winner on July 8th when settling back and running on. Under today’s handicap conditions he scarcely comes up in the weights and a repeat isn’t impossible. (6) GEUMA STEADY remains a maiden but comes up in class following back-to-back runner-up finishes at 1200M and 1400M. She tackles two turns for the first time, but it may suit and under light weight, she can measure up. (3) BUL HWASAN and (8) NEOREUL EUNGWONHAE others in the minor money frame.
| Selections | (4) Perfect Gun Man (10) Cheondung Oreum (6) Geuma Steady (3) Bul Hwasan |
| Next Best | 8, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 6, 9 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) RAON THE HARLEY will be a warm favourite. He has won his latest two, most recent at this class over 1400M on July 9th when settling handy and taking command a long way out. He comes up to the mile for the first time and is up 3kg in the weights, but neither should be insurmountable, and he can compete a hat-trick of wins here. (2) SEUNGNIUIYEONGUNG is yet to finish any worse than 3rd in four appearances and enters here fresh from his maiden win at 1400M on July 23rd. That has brought him up rapidly in class as well in distance, but he is nicely weighted, very well draw, and he looks to have the potential for further development. (4) JUST BE HAPPY is up rapidly in class having won her latest two. She makes a big jump up in trip as well and while she might have a little more to find, she can measure up. (10) CHOEGANG MARINE and (5) BLACK VOLT among plenty of others in the frame in a good race.
| Selections | (9) Raon The Harley (2) Seungniuiyeongung (4) Just Be Happy (10) Choegang Marine |
| Next Best | 5, 8 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
It’s hard to go far past (2) GLOBAL KANGTA here. He has plenty of experience at this level and his runner-up finish two starts back in a quick time over this distance was strong. He likes to settle behind the speed and run on and he could well have too much here. (4) BLACK CHOCOLATE returns to action for the first time since April. He comes back in trip as well and having looked well in a trial earlier this month he can be a danger from a good gate and under a light weight. (8) DUSON FANTASTIC can mix his form but if he runs the way he did when 4th at class and distance on June 17th, he shouldn’t be too far away. (10) STILL PLAY and (5) COWBOY TANGO among others who can compete for at least the minor money.
| Selections | (2) Global Kangta (4) Black Chocolate (8) Duson Fantastic (10) Still Play |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7, 8, 11 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Competitive race. (10) BYEOLGYOUI KKUM comes in having scored at class and distance when favourite back in May. He has consistently run fast times for this distance and while he is up in the weights to the tune of 4.5kg and comes in for the first time in fourteen weeks, he can win first-up here. (3) JEONGMUN COBIT stepped up to this class on July 30th and ran well for 4th in what was a very tight finish. He was beaten by a couple of today’s rivals but not by much, and under a light weight and from a good gate, he can overturn that form today. One of those rivals is (11) NICE DAY, who was 3rd in that July 30th race having led until the closing stages. While he has the challenge of the widest gate today, an apprentice claim keeps the weight down, and he can be competitive again. (1) BLUE SKY and (7) HANEUL SEUNGNI the other logical placing claims.
| Selections | (10) Byeolgyoui Kkum (3) Jeongmun Cobit (11) Nice Day (1) Blue Sky |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 8, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) MAUIWAY was a class 5 winner over this distance two starts back before running a close 3rd in a very quick race, again over 1300M on his first try at this class on July 1st. Tactically versatile, he can run well on the speed or from behind, and under a light weight, today can be his day. (3) NANOMETA had a try at the Korean Derby in June, but extended trips don’t seem to have suited him. He came back into form with a runner-up finish over 1400M on July 16th and back down to even shorter today, he can be a big danger. (4) YONGBI SEOUL has won his latest two, both times making all, most recently at this class over 1400M on July 16th. The same apprentice jockey claiming 4kg keeps his weight down and a hat-trick isn’t out of the question. (5) GEUMA FIERY and, at probable big odds, (11) ACE GUNJU, are others to enter the calculations.
| Selections | (2) Mauiway (3) Nanometa (4) Yongbi Seoul (5) Geuma Fiery |
| Next Best | 11, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 7 |
Busan Race 6: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight A / Rookie Stakes@Busan / KRW 150 Million
A big prize for juveniles with seven of the ten having already won at least once. One of them has won twice and he will be the hot favourite. (2) GREAT WINNER scored very easily on debut over 1000M in June before following up with an equally dismissive victory over 1200M on July 23rd. He has raced on pace both times, he looks the most forward of these, and he should make it three in a row. Things can change quickly with the juveniles though. (5) DOCTOR KINGDOM has raced three times already, getting his maiden win on the most recent of those over 1300M at the end of July. He also ran well at this distance when 3rd and his experience can stand him in good stead here. (6) BAEKDUUI KKUM won on debut in June before running 2nd to Great Winner on July 23rd. He has two-and-a-half lengths to find on the favourite but should have the beating of plenty. (9) MOTHER ROAD and (4) HANGANG CLASS were also debut winners and are others with high expectations.
| Selections | (2) Great Winner (5) Doctor Kingdom (6) Baekduui Kkum (9) Mother Road |
| Next Best | 4, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (1200M) Special Weight A / Rookie Stakes@Seoul / KRW 150 Million
A big prize for juveniles. Just as in the corresponding race at Busan there will be a hot favourite and it will be the one who is two for two. That’s (8) HANGANG CROWN who scored with a rare sub-sixty seconds win over 1000M on debut in late May, beating plenty of these in the process and then followed up by making all on July 2nd over this distance at class 5 level to win by five-lengths. She looks a talent and can be on pace and go all the way again. Things are a little bit more open behind. (10) DALBITJOGAKSA was an eye-catching winner on debut over 1000M on July 22nd, leading all the way around. She too will be expected on pace and if she has improved at all from that, she can be dangerous. (7) FLYING STAR and (2) MY CENTER both enter off decent runner-up finishes at class 5 level and the experience of already competing at this distance can stand them in good stead. Similarly, (9) OKCHEON SNIPER ran a very close 3rd at this distance having previously won on debut and is another to keep safe.
| Selections | (8) Hangang Crown (10) Dalbitjogaksa (7) Flying Star (2) My Center |
| Next Best | 9, 11 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 7: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
(4) JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG enters having won all three legs of the Triple Tiara (filly Triple Crown), most recently the Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup over 2000M at Seoul. She held an initial entry for the international Korea Cup two weeks from now but has given that up in order to race here and while she comes into class 1 against ten older male horses, she is the one to beat. (8) DONGTEUJA BOY enters having won on his first try at class 1 over 1400M on July 16th, beating four of today’s rivals in the process. The presence of a couple of horses here with very high ratings (if not recent form) means he is out of the handicap under a light weight again and a repeat can’t be ruled out. (5) DOCTOR FASHION was 3rd in that July 16th race at big odds having raced on pace. He should get the lead once more and he could be in it a long way again, once more at probably a netter than each-way price. (3) KING OF GLORY (one of those big-rated ones) and (6) DAEMANGUI GIL (another) are others who always need to be taken seriously.
| Selections | (4) Jeulgeounyeojeong (8) Dongteuja Boy (5) Doctor Fashion (3) King Of Glory |
| Next Best | 6, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(9) HANGANG ACE won a big juvenile race last autumn and looked set to be prominent on this year’s classic trail before a setback that saw him miss the first half of the season. He returned to action in fine style on July 16th, winning at this distance. He comes up in class, but he is down in weight, and he should strip fitter for that run and can win again in what isn’t the strongest of class 3 races. (2) DAESARI was a class 4 winner over 1700M two starts back before disappointing over a mile last time when slow away. The drop back to a spring distance is interesting and he could go close. (7) GLOBAL GOLD has placed at class and distance and has run some very good times. He can get a bit far back in his races, but he has a strong finish on him. (5) NEW CHEONGPA and (3) ICE STAR others in the frame.
| Selections | (9) Hangang Ace (2) Daesari (7) Global Gold (5) New Cheongpa |
| Next Best | 3, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) WOLF PLAY will be the warm favourite in the last. He enters off back-to-back runner up finishes at 1200M and at a mile, both at this class. He has won over this distance and posted some quick times and from a very good draw, he will surely be on pace from the start and should prove very hard to pass. (3) B.J. STORM was a winner over 1300M two starts back before running 5th of ten on his first try at this level on August 6th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. He comes into a good gate, stays under a light weight, and can go close. (1) ULTRA KING was 5th behind Wolf Play on July 23rd having led for much of the wat around. He will be showing towards the front again and should be in this a long way. (7) MAGIC JUNIOR and (6) WILD SOCKS others to keep safe.
| Selections | (5) Wolf Play (3) B.J. Storm (1) Ultra King (7) Magic Junio |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 7 |
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