Day: October 5, 2023

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (October 6)

After a one-week hiatus, racing returns this weekend with 4-day program beginning on Friday and concluding with a rare Monday meeting at Seoul for the Hangeul Day holiday. The action starts at Busan on Friday with 9 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

It’s Friday. It’s Busan

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

Racing returns with twelve juveniles all racing for the first time so we must head to the trial videos. (8) UNJU TOP posted the fastest time, finishing 2nd in his heat when on pace and asked for an effort before being allowed to coast in the final stages. A similar effort will see him in the mix. (5) OUR DESTINY is the only trial winner. He was ridden hard to get to the lead and he remained there throughout, stopping the clock in a good time. Expect him to be on the speed here and he has every chance of going all the way. (12) SEKWANG CHOEGANG came from off the pace to finish 2nd in her hear in a fair time. That run suggests the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she can challenge here. (11) I AM LEGEND and (2) GOOD KING MAN others who caught the eye in their respective heats and who can be considered for bold showings.

Selections(8) Unju Top (5) Our Destiny (12) Sekwang Choegang (11) I Am Legend
Next Best2, 1
Fast Start1, 5, 8, 11

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

Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden. Having won her trial, (9) TEAM PERFECT was sent off as favourite over 1000M on debut on September 1st. She raced close to the pace throughout but had to settle for 3rd place behind a good winner. She should have derived benefit from the experience and with some natural improvement, can win here. (11) ACE GOOD JOB was a much-improved 2nd at start number six on September 8th when coming off the pace and running a close 2nd in a good time. A similar performance here can see her in the finish. (1) MAGIC ELEVEN has the fastest time among those who have tackled the distance before. She draws nicely to sit on or close to the speed and can go close again. The presence of Seo Seung-un aboard (6) RED JASPER will tempt plenty and she has shown improvement over a stop start career to date. (4) B. K. WARRIOR another in the frame to get better.

Selections(9) Team Perfect (11) Ace Good Job (1) Magic Eleven (6) Red Jasper
Next Best4, 8
Fast Start1, 2, 8, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

A very modest maiden so it’s probably worth giving another chance to (3) KING FIGHTER. He’s been on pace in each of his three starts to date and was sent off as favourite last time out, leading again before ultimately ending in 5th. An apprentice brings his weight down and well-drawn to lead again, he has as good a chance as any here. (6) GLORY CROWN was overmatched in the Rookie Stakes last time out but comes into much shallower waters here and can go close. His debut 3rd place over 1000M in a decent time suggests he has some ability.  (4) YEONGGWANGUITOUCH comes in off back-to-back 4th places at 1300M. He’s the only one in the field to have a runner-up finish to his name and he should be there or thereabouts again. (8) DREAM BIGGER and (5) WONDERFUL ONE are others in the placing frame.

Selections(3) King Fighter (6) Glory Crown (4) Yeonggwanguitouch (8) Dream Bigger
Next Best5, 7
Fast Start2, 3, 5, 7

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 25 Million

(8) HANEUL BULPAE enters off a 2nd place over this distance on September 3rd when he led until the middle of the home straight, beating three of today’s rivals in the process. He comes in under the same weight, Seo Seung-un remains aboard, and he will be favoured to go one better here. (9) HAEUNDAE STAR similarly comes in with form in his favour having beaten three of these when 3rd at 1300M on September 1st. That was his first start in ten-months; he should strip fitter for the run, and he is the main danger here. (3) PINHOLE EYE ran a solid 3rd over a mile last time out. He has had just over three months off since then so comes in fresh and can be a place chance. (5) DOCTOR LEO and (7) WIN STING others who can compete for the minors.

Selections(8) Haneul Bulpae (9) Haeundae Star (3) Pinhole Eye (5) Doctor Leo
Next Best7, 10
Fast Start2, 3, 9, 11

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

(7) MOTHER ROAD was a smart winner over the minimum distance on debut in July despite racing wide an ungenerously before showing a real turn of foot late on. She than ran 5th in the Rookie Stakes at the end of August. She skips the first leg of the Juvenile Series on Sunday in order to go here and she should be favourite. (2) GLOBAL TAEYANG ran 2nd to Mother Road on debut, beaten five-lengths, but then got a maiden win of her own at start number two on August 27th when sweeping home from a wide draw and from off the pace over 1200M. She comes up in class here, but the additional furlong can suit, and she comes into a better gate. The additional trip may also be a good for (1) FOR THE GOODTIME. A winner on debut, he came from well back to run 4th on his first try at this class over 1200M in July. He races for the first time since but warrants consideration. (9) PEGACORN and (8) CORNER ONE the other logical placing chances.

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