Day: February 22, 2024

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (February 23)

It’s Classic trials weekend in Korea with both Seoul and Busan hosting their respective lead up races for the Triple Crown on Sunday afternoon. Before that, the weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with 8 races from 11:50 to 18:00. Japanese rider Ueda Masashi, who rode at Seoul between 2020 and 2022, has returned and takes his first rides on the south coast.

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

A maiden with three of the twelve racing for the first time. (11) RUBY STONE was a trial winner in December before running 3rd on debut in an all-filly maiden over this distance on January 28th when she led for much of the way. She has the challenge of a wide gate here, but she should have come on for that run and has as good a chance as any. (2) TROPHY WARE was an improved 2nd at start number two on January 21st when settling midfield and running on. The time was significantly quicker than anything else here has registered and from a great draw, she is a big danger. (1) ONES HEYDAY has progressed across three outings so far, most recently 3rd at this distance on January 26th. She likes to settle back and run on and can be pressing late. (12) SEOGWI STAR and (6) LET THEM ALL COME, the latter having knocked up fast on debut having showed on pace, others to consider.

Selections(11) Ruby Stone (2) Trophy Ware (1) Ones Heyday (12) Seogwi Star
Next Best6, 10
Fast Start2, 6, 11, 12

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-olds only in this maiden and it’s hard to look past (6) CHEONHA SARANG. He ran 3rd on debut over 1200M before an on-pace 2nd when stepped up to 1400M at start number two on February 2nd. The step up in trip again can suit and he should have too much for this lot, which will be reflected in a prohibitive price. (2) BABEL DREAMY has run on well for 4th and 5th in two appearances so far at 1200M and 1300M. She has recorded fast final furlongs and should relish a bit more distance to get stuck into. (8) STEALTH MODE was a fair 6th of twelve behind Cheonha Sarang earlier this month and can get closer in this company. (9) LEMON DRAGON and (11) UNJU LEGEND others in the placing frame.

Selections(6) Cheonha Sarang (2) Babel Dreamy (8) Stealth Mode (9) Lemon Dragon
Next Best11, 4
Fast Start4, 5, 6, 10

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(11) MAX THE CAT has been getting closer across four starts culminating in a 2nd place when stepped up to this distance on January 26th flashing home from off the pace and beating a couple of today’s rivals. He likes to settle back and run on so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem, and he can go one better here. (4) YEONGGWANGUICLASS was 5th in that January 26th race, also coming from a long way back. He already has two 3rd places to his name at this distance and should be in the mix again today. (8) WONDERFUL KAYLAN enters off a to-date best of 2nd place over 1400M then racing handily. He comes up to the mile for the first time and it can suit. (12) NANGMAN DAERO and (9) SEOBU CAPTAN are other potential improvers.

Selections(11) Max The Cat (4) Yeonggwanguiclass (8) Wonderful Kaylan (12) Nangnam Daero
Next Best9, 5
Fast Start2, 5, 7, 8

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

Eleven imported maidens with four of them racing for the first time. Most of the ones with prior racing experience raced against each other on January 12th at this distance with the best of them being (1) WOLFS KING MAN, who settled handy and ran on for 2nd place. He had been sent off as favourite on what was his debut having impressed in trials and he will be a short-priced favourite to go one better. (2) CONNECT MARINE ran 3rd in that race, coming from well off the pace. He has three-lengths to find on Wolf’s King Man but can have the beating of the rest. The only one to have raced twice already is (10) WINNABLE EDITION. He has been fancied in both having won a trial and he did improve in the second of them to finish 5th of eleven. He comes up in the weights but can continue to get closer. (6) AKARAKA was 5th on debut in the January 12th race and can improve. (5) CHOEGOUI KKUM looks the best of the debut-makers.

Selections(1) Wolfs King Man (2) Connect Marine (10) Winnable Edition (6) Akaraka
Next Best5, 11
Fast Start1, 7, 8, 10
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