When the four-year-old pair of Raon The Point and Something Lost flashed to the front in the final furlong of the Busan Ilbo Sprint a month ago, it seemed to show a generational change was finally taking place among the one turn elite. At Seoul on Sunday, they have to opportunity to confirm it as a full field of sixteen line up for the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3), the second leg of the Sprint Series.SEE HERE FOR PREVIEWS OF ALL 17 RACES ACROSS SEOUL & BUSAN ON SUNDAY.
At this point it is fair to acknowledge that part of the reason for the generational change is because of the absence of the biggest older star. Raon The Fighter won this race last year before suffering an injury that was confirmed this past to week, to have ended his racing career. But the new set are exciting, nonetheless.
Raon The Point and Something Lost have raced just nine times apiece. The former has won seven and the latter five, but they won’t necessarily come home in the same order as in the Busan Ilbo, when Raon The Point got the better of their late duel by a neck. Something Lost comes into a much better gate this time around, and he will probably start as the market leader.
Don’t rule out the old order striking back. Chief among those of course, is Eoma Eoma, who won this race in 2021 and then went on to claim the big one, the international Korea Sprint in 2022. He had an ordinary 2023 for the most part but came back into form when winning the Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy over 1400M at Busan last November and that provides some hope that he can bounce back from his 5th place in the Busan Ilbo last month.
The wildcard is Beolmaui Star. He temporarily shot to the top of the sprinting ranks by leading the 2023 Korea Sprint, only being passed by eventual winner, the world class Remake. It’s all gone a bit wrong since though. He missed the start in the Kookje Shinmun and then travelled to the Dubai Carnival where he scarcely featured in two disappointing efforts. He won a trial in fine fashion in March and if the Beolmaui Star of last year’s S print shows up, he can win.
1. PREEMAX – Has long since lost his form. 9th over 1400M on season reappearance in February and is a big outsider here.
2. DOCTOR CAESAR – An excellent 3rd place in the Busan Ilbo having led from gate 1. Draws well again to be on pace and can be in this a long way, although others favoured.
3. SSONSAL – Won the G3 SROA Chairman’s Trophy at this distance here last June but has shown patchy form in three starts since. 6th in the Busan Ilbo and that would be par here. Regular jockey Da Silva staying in Busan may be a clue.
The second leg of the Sprint Series, the SBS Sports Sprint at Seoul, takes centre stage on Sunday, but there are plenty of other valuable races spread across both the capital and Busan with Trophy Exchange races for the Singapore Turf Club (evidently for the final time), Jockey Club of Turkey, Tokyo City Keiba, Royal Western India Turf Club and the China Horse Industry Association. There is also a big money race to mark the end of the Cherry Blossom season. There are 11 races at Seoul on Sunday from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 in Busan from 11:25 to 16:05. Here are the previews:
Raon The Point won the opening leg of the Sprint Series (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) SEOBU CHAMP comes in off a 3rd place over this distance on March 16th when settling back and running on strongly. She comes in here carrying the same weight and has every chance of coming out on top this day. It’s a competitive maiden though. (4) TAP DIA has a 2nd and a 3rd among her own three starts so far. In this company, she may be further forward than in those races and the slight step up in trip can suit. (8) PROCEED showed improvement to run 3rd at start number two over 1300M on March 2nd. He too may like the increased distance and CC Wong climbs up. (3) EUMSEONG POWER and (10) ALL EYES ON ME among others capable of at least challenging for the places.
Selections
(5) Seobu Champ (4) Tap Dia (8) Proceed (3) Eumseong Power
Next Best
10, 6
Fast Start
1, 4, 8, 10
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Three-year-old maiden fillies here and it’s hard to go past (3) APPLE QUEEN. Having run 4th on debut, all the way back last June, she didn’t race again until this March 16th when she was an on-pace 3rd over 1400M. She should strip fitter for that run and will be strongly fancied to lead from gate to wire. (6) SHINE BOLT has shown steady improvement across three starts so far, culminating in a 4th place over 1200M on February 24th over this distance. She comes into a better gate here and can continue to get closer. (8) COMPLETE PARTY has two 3rd places among her four appearances. That means that any top-three finish will get her a rating and see her at class 5 next time and she could well match or better. (4) SMILE GOLD and (7) BYLONG STAR, the latter having been back to trial since a chastening debut, are others to consider.
Selections
(3) Apple Queen (6) Shine Bolt (8) Complete Party (4) Smile Gold
Next Best
7, 11
Fast Start
2, 3, 4 ,7
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Competitive opener. (10) GANGSEO PRIDE ran 2nd on debut over this distance on March 8th, when on pace throughout. It wasn’t a quick time, and he was well beaten by a good winner, but he should have derived benefit from the experience and with some natural improvement, he has as good a chance as any here. (9) GIANT MARINE raced three times without distinction up until July last year. He was then put away and returned on March 15th this year and ran much better, finishing 3rd in a decent time over 1200M. He should strip fitter for that run and can challenge here. (11) ONE WAY ROAD has been getting steadily better in recent outings and can continue his upward trajectory here. (5) CHOEGANG CHONGAL and (8) DREAM WAY others in at least the placing hunt.
Selections
(10) Gangseo Pride (9) Giant Marine (11) One Way Road (5) Choegang Chongal
Next Best
8, 4
Fast Start
4, 8, 9, 10
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) LOVE COWGIRL returns to action for the first time since last September. After winning on debut, she finished 4th, 3rd and 2nd in three subsequent starts before her layoff and going by her all the way trial win two weeks ago, she can pick up from where she left off. (8) SEOUL CHOEGANGJA got his maiden win at this class and distance on March 3rd, settling handy and running on. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights today, but he can be competitive again. (6) THE SUN FIGHTER got his maiden win at this distance three starts back and has since run 4th and 5th in two tries at this level, most recently over 1700M. He looks nicely in here and should go close. (4) SINUI YEOJE and (11) GOOD SEONGBONG the other logical place chances.
Selections
(3) Love Cowgirl (8) Seoul Choegangja (6) The Sun Fighter (4) Sinui Yeoje
Next Best
11, 9
Fast Start
4, 5, 7, 8
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) I AM LEGEND got her maiden win two starts back over this distance before running 2nd at big odds on her first try at this level on March 8th settling right back and running on. She seems to be hitting her groove and she can win this. (3) RAON THE TANGO enters off a useful 3rd place at this class over 1400M on March 8th. The same apprentice jockey keeps the edge off his carried weight and from a good draw, he can go close again. (11) HANEUL EUTTEUM scored a close 2nd place at this class and distance on March 15th. He comes up 2lg in the weights and he draws a touch wider than ideal, but he should be running on to be a danger once more. (2) YONGSAN KEUNBYEUL and (7) JEOLDAE BOSS are others who can enter at least the placing calculations.
Selections
(5) I Am Legend (3) Raon The Tango (11) Haneul Eutteum (2) Yongsan Keunbyeul
Next Best
7, 8
Fast Start
2, 7, 8, 11
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Saturday’s racing is an afternoon and evening meeting at Seoul with 11 races from 14:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
The Seoul Racecourse blossoms are on the way out now, sadly, although evening racing continues
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maidens in the opener with seven of the eleven racing for the first time. We’ll take a chance on one of the first timers and (5) GOLD SIDAE. He took two attempts to qualify but did so in some style at the second time of asking, racing on pace and crossing the line 2nd in a decent time. He draws well to be on pace here and if he brings that form to the races, he can win. Of the experienced ones, (4) CANVASEN GO will be the best fancied and will probably start as favourite, having run a fair 5th of twelve on debut on February 18th. He should strip fitter for that run, he comes into a better gate, and he has solid claims. (11) HERO GOLD improved from 7th on debut to 5th at start number two and can continue to make progress here. (9) BEST MAYA and (1) CAPTAIN MUSIC are other debut-makers who warrant consideration first-up.
Selections
(5) Gold Sidae (4) Canvasen Go (11) Hero Gold (9) Best Maya
Next Best
1, 3
Fast Start
3, 5, 8, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) SOLAIRE has four top-four finishes from five starts so far and comes in off the best of them, when runner-up over this distance on March 16th. She likes to settle back and run on and if she shows the same sort of late speed here, she should go past this lot comfortably. (1) ASSI JANGGUN enters off a 3rd place in a very slow race over this distance in February. She had previously shown more in the way of speed though when 2nd over 1200M three starts back and from the inside gate, shapes as the main danger here. (4) JURING SKY was an improved 4th at 1200M on March 9th and in the absence of much in the way of early speed in this race, may find herself much further forward today and can be in this a long way. (5) MK LEE and (9) DAEWONYONGMA others who may improve.
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Weak maiden. (2) MO CHUISLE has a 3rd and most recently a 4th place to her name across five starts so far, generally racing best when on pace. From a great draw today, she should get a comfortable run to the lead, and she can go all the way. The main danger is (4) YEJIMONG. Her best from fourteen starts so far is a 2nd but she has finished either 4th or 5th on no fewer than seven occasions, including her latest three, all at this distance. She is an unspectacular type but should be close to the pace and be there or thereabouts again today. (1) TESTA RUBY ran a much-improved 4th at this distance on March 9th and a similar run will see her in the finish again. (6) BAEKDU DAEMUL and (9) TOHOMARKET other minor money hopes.
Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1700M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) BLOOD MOUNTAIN will be a warm favourite. He has been getting closer in his seven starts so far, culminating in a 3rd place when stepped up to this distance for the first time on March 16th when racing against plenty of today’s rivals. He should have benefited from the experience of racing around two turns and he comes into a much better gate today. He will need to overturn the form on (5) COSMO KING, who ran a very good 2nd place in that March 16th race having tarted at odds in excess of 60/1. That was by far his best finish to date, and he warrants more respect here. The rest don’t inspire much confidence. (1) YONGBICHEON was 5th in that March 16th races and that’s enough to make her the next best. (9) QUEEN ABIGAIL and (4) EVER THE CROWN are minor money hopes.
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) SSEULMO remains a maiden after eleven attempts, but he has seven top-four finishes, including a last start 3rd at this class over 1300M on March 10th when he overcame gate ten to race handy and run on. He draws much better today and with similar tactics, he can make the breakthrough. That will mean overturning the form on (7) GREEN VIVACE, who was 2nd in that March 10th race, having led for much of the way around. She got her win at this distance, she should be on pace, and third-up this preparation, she can be peaking fitness wise. Plenty of others enter with recent form reading well, but the wild card is (8) BEAT UP. He hasn’t raced since a 2nd place at class and distance just over a year ago, but he looked very well when going through a trial in March and he can go well first-up here. (3) GOLDBERG and (9) JAEWOO SIDAE are others to keep safe.
The Stakes racing action moves to Seoul this weekend with Sunday’s SBS Sports Sprint. The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday though with 8 afternoon and evening races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Maiden fillies in the opener. (4) MARIA’S CALL went well in trials and debuted fairly in 5th place over 1200M on debut on March 8th when racing handily throughout. It wasn’t a quick race, but she should have come on for the run and she has as good a chance as any here. (2) WORLD ANGEL CAT was a much-improved 3rd on her latest appearance on March 10th, leading for much of the way. She draws nicely here, and a similar effort will see her in the finish again. (9) ROSE DRAGON improved to 4th place at start number two over 1400M on March 15th having been slowly away and run on well. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and she can get closer here. (3) BORAM and (5) RUNNING FASHION others in the minor money frame.
Selections
(4) Maria’s Call (2) World Angel Cat (9) Rose Dragon (3) Boram
Next Best
5, 6
Fast Start
2, 3, 4, 6
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) FLYING THE FORD didn’t do much in two starts around the turn of the year, most recently in February, but he went back to trial in late March and led all the way around, stopping the clock in a quick time. If he can bring that form to the races, he’ll be the one to beat here. (6) FLASH DAY beat a couple of these when racing on pace on his way to an improved 4th place on his second start over 1200M on March 15th. In this company, he should be on pace again and can be in this a long way. (9) BREEDO PELL did nothing on debut last October but looked a much better prospect when trialling up again in March. He can go well first-up here. (10) WHITE FALCON and first timer (4) GLORY GANGSEO are others in the hunt.
Selections
(5) Flying The Ford (6) Flash Day (9) Breedo Pell (10) White Falcon
Next Best
4, 8
Fast Start
5, 6, 8, 9
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) SUCCESS YEONGGWANG is a sixteen-race maiden. But he has no fewer than nine top-five finishes on his record including a last start 4th over this distance on Mach 22nd when settling midfield and staying on. He draws nicely here and today can be his day. (3) HERE THE QUEEN got her maiden win two starts back over 1400M before running 4th on her first try at this class, again at the 1400M, three weeks ago. She looks nicely in here and can be competitive again. (7) MAJESTIC DANCER came from well off the pace to get his maiden win over this distance on March 15th. He comes up in class here but is slightly down in the weights, and he can measure up in this company. (12) B.K. ZENA and (11) CHOICE ROAD are others who can go close.
Selections
(2) Success Yeonggwang (3) Here The Queen (7) Majestic Dancer (12) B.K. Zena
Next Best
11, 9
Fast Start
1, 5, 10, 12
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) OVER THE TRIPLE was a beaten favourite over a mile on March 22nd when he led for much of the way and then weakened late on. He comes back down to a distance at which he has a win and a runner-up finish at in two prior attempts, and from a good draw, he can lead again, and this time go all the way. (1) DOCTOR CAPTAIN won that March 22nd race, settling handy from the widest gate and running on for a narrow score. He comes up 3.5kg in the weights but that is balanced a little by a much better draw, and he can be competitive again. (7) MORNING FLOW was a winner at this class and distance two starts back and with an apprentice claim here, can go close. (11) ROAD TO TOP and (10) CAPTAIN CHARLIE are among others to be considered.
Selections
(2) Over The Triple (1) Doctor Captain (7) Morning Flow (11) Road To Top
Next Best
10, 4
Fast Start
3, 5, 6, 7
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(7) SUCCESSFUL has been ultra consistent, finishing in the top five in all ten of his starts so far. He comes in having run 3rd in a quick race over 1200M on March 1st which he led at one point, and under the same weight today and up slightly in trip, he can win. That will mean overturning the form on (4) SKY ROJO. He was the winner of that March 1st race, settling midfield and proving too strong in the closing stages. He comes up a full 5kg in the weights, but he is not to be dismissed here. (5) SKY JILJU led every step of the way to win in a decent time over this distance on March 17th. He is up in class here but should be competitive again. (2) NICE BIG GUY and (11) WISE KING are other placing chances.
Selections
(7) Successful (4) Sky Rojo (5) Sky Jilju (2) Nice Big Guy
Next Best
11, 10
Fast Start
1, 4, 10, 11
Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) MASARANGGIL won back-to-back races over the turn of the year with the most recent being at this class and distance in January. She didn’t really feature on her latest start over 1800M at the start of February, but she comes in here fresh and back at a mile and drawn well, she can win. (1) WIDAEHAN SEONTAEK doesn’t win out of turn, but he enters in very solid form with two 3rd places and a 4th from his latest three at this class, all over 1800M. He draws nicely here, he carries a light weight, and he should go close again. (2) YEONGGWANGUIPRINCE is up in class having won over 1400M on March 3rd. He has placed at this distance before, and he can measure up here. (6) PURPLE LINE and (12) BLACK VOLT others who can enter the calculations.
If there is to be a Triple Crown winner this year, his name will be Success Baekpa after the Min Jang-gi trained colt roared home late to sweep past Nice Time to claim the first jewel, the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2) at Busan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Last year’s champion juvenile Hangang Class was sent off as the odds-on favourite among the thirteen-strong field, but just as in the Busan Classic Trial in February, he was a touch slow coming out of the gate and was always on the backfoot from there on. Ultimately, he did well to run 3rd.
Seoul’s Classic Trial winner Nice Time set the early pace along with second-favourite Wonderful Lear. The latter was quickly beaten but Nice Time stayed on and looked set to go on to score until You Hyun-myung launched 13/1 chance Success Baekpa, who had settled well back in the pack, down the centre of the track to sweep past everything in his path and beat Nice Time by three-quarters of a length on the line.
“The horses drawn in one, two, and three (Hangang Class, Wonderful Lear and Nice Time) were so strong that I would have been very happy even to make it into the top-three, so it is a little unexpected” winning trainer Min Jang-gi told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “I instructed (You Hyun-myung) to follow the leaders from midfield and I think he made good decisions at the right time and was able to win the race.”
Accordingly, expectations have changed now for the remainder of the Triple Crown series. “Now that he has successfully passed the first hurdle, there are two races left. This horse can come from behind and pick up speed, so I think that the distances getting longer mean his winning chances increase.”
For You Hyun-myung it was a return to the Graded Stakes winning enclosure for the first time since enduring a horrible 2023 when he missed most of the season after two heavy falls resulting in multiple surgeries.
“It makes it more special because it’s my first Grand Prize since returning and my family were here today so I’m even happier” he told KRBC. “I think of winning this race as a new beginning and a reason to work even harder, starting from next week.”
You may have to wait a little longer than next week as he picked up a 2-day ban for excessive whip use. Moon Se-young on Nice Time also got a two-day ban for shifting out in the straight.
Success Baekpa is by Purge and out of the 2007 Korean Oaks winner Baekpa (by Revere). She was bred by Kang Seung-youn and was purchased by her owner Lee Jong-hun for KRW 90 Million at the November 2022 Yearling Sale. She moves on to a record of four wins from seven starts – and four in a row.
The second leg of the Triple Crown is the Korean Derby (1800M KOR-G1) at Seoul on Sunday May 12th. Next week, attention shifts to the Sprint Series and the SBS Sports Sprint (1200M KOR-G3) at Seoul on Sunday afternoon.
Nice Time and Eunpa Sarang have headed South for the KRA Cup Mile (Pic: KRA)
Six colts have made the trip down from Seoul to face seven from the host track and it is a race of many chances.
Champion juvenile HANGANG CLASS will probably start as the betting favourite locally, but he comes in having been beaten in Busan’s Classic Trial, the Gyeongnam DoMin Ilbo Trophy (1400M KOR-Listed) in February, when taken down late by WONDERFUL LEAR. The pair meet again with Hangang Class this time much better drawn.
NICE TIME was Seoul’s best juvenile last year, and he has started 2024 in fine fashion with two wins, including in the capital city’s Classic Trial. He will be ridden by Moon Se-young, who last week won the opening leg of the Triple Tiara on Eclipse Berry and could well make it a double here.
DOCTOR KINGDOM had plenty of near misses throughout the juvenile series last year but an improvement shouldn’t be ruled out while his stablemate, BACCHUS, has taken the same route that last year’s winner Betelgeuse did, and is already a winner at 1800M, let a lone a mile. SUCCESS BAEKPA and STORM BREAKER are others who skipped the Juvenile Series and the Classic Trials to take a different path here.
1. HANGANG CLASS – Dominant seven-length winner of the Breeders’ Cup in December to be crowned champion juvenile. He was favourite for Busan’s Classic Trial in February but was a touch slow out of the widest gate and was then ridden hard around the outside to ultimately establish a four-length lead turning into the straight before being picked off late. He is drawn much better today for an easier run and his class can see him through. The favourite.
2. WONDERFUL LEAR – Picked off Hangang Class late on to win Busan’s Classic Trial, he is a winner of three from six. He has mixed his form and Hangang Class beat him twice last year. Don’t read too much into his midfield finish at this distance in January in a tough and quick race against older horses at class 3 level. He can be very competitive here.
3. NICE TIME – A winner of five from six stars so far with his only defeat coming at Busan when 4th in the Breeders’ Cup. He was slowly away in Seoul’s Classic Trial but showed a lot of heart to haul himself to the lead and then to keep it under pressure. The mile may well suit.
4. LALA KA – Won the Listed NACF Chairman’s Trophy but has never come close to repeating his explosive exploits from last August’s Rookie Stakes. 5th of ten at class 3 level in his only start this year back in January, he does at least come in here fresh, and the mile could be to his liking.
The Triple Crown season is upon us with the first jewel being contested at Busan on Sunday afternoon in the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2). The big race is number 5 on a 6-race card at Busan which runs from 11:25 to 16:05. There is also an 11-race card at Seoul – where the cherry blossom festival continues – from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Wonderful Lear beat Hangang Class in the Busan Classic Trial (Pic: KRA)
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) TAENGGEURI has five top-five finishes and comes back in trip after a couple of spins at 1700M and one at 1400M, not without some success. He has a 3rd place over this distance and has as good a chance as any here. (1) B.K. BELLE is the main danger. She has mixed her form across five starts so far but her running style suggests that the slight step up in trip can suit and she should be running on late. There isn’t much early speed in the race though. (8) HAYAN TAEYANG returns to action for the first time since last November. She has trialled up well on two occasions and should be in the mix first up here. The form falls off a bit after those three so it may be worth taking note of the debut making pair of (11) WONDERFUL LORD and (2) MAGIC PRINCE, both of whom hinted at ability in trials.
Selections
(7) Taenggeuri (1) B.K. Belle (8) Hayan Taeyang (11) Wonderful Lord
Next Best
2, 6
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 9
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
A small field of maiden fillies. (2) MAGIC IMPACT won a February trial and then finished midfield on debut over 1200M later that month. She should have derived benefit from that experience, she draws much better today, and she has every chance here. (4) BAEDARI HYANGGI has been getting closer in recent outings, culminating in a 3rd place over this distance on March 2nd. In this company, she should be on pace, and she can get even closer today. (7) GENERAL POWER may sound like an energy company and she has mixed her output across her four starts, but going on her 3rd place at 1200M in a good time two starts back, she is a chance here. (1) FLYING LION and (8) NEXTLEVEL are other placing chances.
Selections
(2) Magic Impact (4) Baedari Hyanggi (7) General Power (1) Flying Lion
Next Best
8, 6
Fast Start
2, 4, 6, 8
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) BLACK JILJU led for much of the way around over this distance on March 1st and was only narrowly beaten into 2nd place. She is yet to finish any worse than 5th and she looks very much the one to beat here. (1) NAEPYEON ran an improved 4th at start number two over this distance on February 23rd. From the inside gate he should be on pace and with Seo Seung-un booked to ride, more improvement seems probable. (10) SEOGWI STAR has been solid if unspectacular across her four appearances to date. She generally finishes off well and can run into some money again here. (8) YEONGGWANGUI ROSE and (6) DANCING BOY are others in the frame.
Selections
(4) Black Jilju (1) Naepyeon (10) Seogwi Star (8) Yeonggwangui Rose
Next Best
6, 7
Fast Start
1, 6, 7, 8
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(6) STUNNING CHAMP enters off a close 2nd place over 1300M on February 24th when settling midfield and running on well. She has the fastest time among these for the distance by some margin, and she can win here. (1) SPALTA is clear second pick. He was an improved 2nd at start number four over this distance on March 3rd when racing handy throughout. From a good draw, he should get a relatively easy run to the lead and is the one the favourite will have to get past. There are a couple of debut-makers. Both (9) SPARKLING and (8) MAX PARTY went through plenty of trials, and both are capable of a bold first-up showing. (4) PERFECT TIARA the best of the rest.
Selections
(6) Stunning Champ (1) Spalta (9) Sparkling (8) Max Party
Next Best
4, 10
Fast Start
1, 4, 5, 8
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (1) DAEJIUIYEOJEONSA is yet to win in six attempts but is also yet to finish outside of the top four. She comes in off three consecutive runner-up finishes, the most recent of which was ahead of a couple of today’s rivals at this class and distance on March 3rd. She comes up a couple of kilograms in the weights but today should really be her day. If she manages to find one too quick again, it could be (2) FLYING DANU, who was sent off as favourite on debut over 1200M on March 8th and duly obliged, racing on pace throughout. She is up in class here but carries a light weight, draws well, and can measure up. (7) SKY GRIT is up in class after a maiden win in a good time at 1200M on March 3rd. She’ll be on pace here and can be in this a long way. (6) GRAY QUEEN and (8) DONGNAM WINNER other placing chances.
We’re heading into peak cherry blossoms as the festival continues for Saturday’s action at Seoul where there is an afternoon/evening card of 11 races from 14:45 to 18:00. Here are the previews.
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Competitive opener with two standouts. (4) WONDERFUL PASS has shown steady improvement across four starts to date, culminating in a 2nd place over 1300M on March 3rd when only breaking fairly but getting onto the lead and in being in front for most of the way. She draws nicely here and can go one better today. The danger is (6) SAMAEBEONJJEOK. She too has been showing progress with her latest being her best when 3rd over this distance on February 25th. She’ll be on pace here and will be a big threat. (1) FINAL GO enters off an improved 2nd place on February 17th when coming from midfield over this distance. He was well beaten by a good winner, but a similar run should see him not far away. (7) MAX MA will be on pace and may be an each-way chance while (3) HAMPYEONG JANGMI is another in minor money contention.
Selections
(4) Wonderful Pass (6) Samaebeonjjeok (1) Final Go (7) Max Ma
Next Best
3, 8
Fast Start
2, 3, 6, 7
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
It’s hard to go too far past (1) DREAM CARD. He’s finished no worse than 5th in four starts to date with his best being a runner-up finish over 1300M in January. He came up to this distance last time out on March 2nd and ran a fair 4th, coming from off the pace, and he should prove too strong for this small field. (5) DRAGON SQUARE has a tendency to run ungenerously, something he has done on three of fours starts. He has shown ability though and looked well in a mid-March trial. Harry Kasim may be able to straighten him (literally) out here. (7) NAOL JEONGSANG returned from a more than five-month absence to run 2nd over 1700M at the start of February. That was a tough ask first-up, but he has since had a further nine weeks off and is a place chance again here. (8) E.H. COCO and (4) SHOUT KURO others to consider.
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) CAPTAIN TIME ran out an emphatic winner at start number three over 1300M when racing handy before pulling well clear in the final furlong in an all-filly maiden. She comes up class here, but the manner of that win suggests there is more to come, and she can win again here. (7) MOMO K has been ultra-consistent over his five outings. He got his maiden win just before Christmas at 1300M and has since run 4th and 3rd at this class, most recently over this distance on March 3rd, when he led for much of the way. He can go close again. That will mean overturning the form on (5) WORLD KING MAN, who won that March 3rd race at odds of nearly 30/1. He comes up a full 5kg in the weights but warrants more resect this time. (11) SHOOTING REVERSE was 2nd in that same race and shouldn’t be far away, although once more must contend with the widest gate. (4) HIGH BORN ME another to consider for the places.
Selections
(2) Captain Time (7) Momo K (5) World King Man (11) Shooting Reverse
Next Best
4, 9
Fast Start
2, 7, 9, 10
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (10) BELOTERO was a maiden winner two starts back over 1300M before weakening and finishing back in the pack over 1400M on her first try at this class on March 3rd. She comes back slightly in trip today, the in-form CC Wong climbs in, and she can return to winning ways. (9) MYEONGJINBULLPAI got her maiden win in the snow just before the turn of the year and enters having run a solid 3rd place over 1400M on March 10th. She likes to settle back and run on and can be a danger late here. (5) SPECIAL HILL comes up in class having won handsomely over 1200M on March 3rd, making all. He is nicely drawn and while he may not get such a soft run to the front this time, he can measure up. (4) EXCELLENT TAN and (6) WONDERFUL SEEKING other possibles.
Selections
(10) Belotero (9) Myeongjinbullpai (5) Special Hill (4) Excellent Tan
Next Best
6, 1
Fast Start
1, 3, 5, 11
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Tricky race for fillies and mares. (11) BAEDARI KWAEGEOM enters off a 2nd place at this class over 1300M on March 2nd when he led for much of the way around. He comes back to the distance at which he registered his sole win, and while he comes up 3.5kg in the weights, he has strong claims here. (1) SAENAE VIVA got her maiden win two starts back before finishing midfield on her first try at this class at the end of January. She comes in here off ten weeks out and from a good draw, can be on pace and in this a long way. (8) JEONGSEONGTIGER remains a maiden after six outings but comes up in class after a few too many near-misses, including as runner-up to Saena Viva. She is lightly weighted and shouldn’t be out of her depth here. (3) FINE DAY and (7) ICE CREAM are others who can enter the calculations.
It’s Triple Crown opening weekend and the cherry blossom racing festival continues, this week with actual cherry blossoms having appeared. The action starts at Busan on Friday with and afternoon/evening card of 8 races from 15:00 to 21:00. Here are the previews:
Busan nights
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Weak maiden to begin with but something has to win. Moon Se-young is in town to attempt to complete a Triple Tiara-Triple Crown 1st leg double on Sunday and his conveyance here, (5) FLYING BABY, has as good a chance as any. We need to overlook her second appearance when she weakened badly, but if we go on her debut effort in December when running on for 5th in a decent time at 1200M, she can go on top. There are plenty of runs we need to overlook here. (10) WEST POINT managed a 4th place two starts back over 1400M. It was a slow race but that’s enough to put him in the mix here. (1) BIG BOY raced four times last year with a best of 5th over 1400M. He returns for the first time since November and looked well enough in a March trial. (8) DIVINE KINGDOM and (11) SEOBU HOLIDAY other potential improvers.
Selections
(5) Flying Baby (10) West Point (1) Big Boy (8) Divine Kingdom
Next Best
11, 2
Fast Start
1, 5, 7, 9
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only in this maiden and Moon Se-young will be on the favourite again. That’s (7) SAVAGE GIRL, who has been getting closer across her recent outings, and enters off her first 2nd place finish on March 10th when handy throughout. That came at start number fourteen, but she should finally shed the maiden tag here. (3) GEUMA REJOICE has hinted at ability across four outings so far with the best of them a 3rd place at 1200M last November. She didn’t race again until a midfield finish on March 1st and should strip fitter here. (6) SUNCHEON YEOWANG was a much-improved 2nd at start number two at 1200M at the end of January. Se comes in fresh after ten weeks out and can go close. (9) SKY ARCH and (4) HARVEST MOON among other placing chances.
Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) ILNYEOM SINHWA has raced three times over the mile already and comes in having run 3rd on March 10th, racing close throughout and beating a few of today’s rivals. He draws well to be on pace here and today can be his day. (12) WORLD WINNERS MAN has been knocking on the door over his five appearances to date with his best being a 3rd at 1200M. He has been doing his best work late so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and the step up to 1600M can suit. (9) FUERTE stepped up to this trip at start number two on March 3rd and came form off the pace to run 2nd. She was ell beaten by a good winner but won’t need to improve much to be close again. (6) BLISS MARINE and (3) SEOBU CAPTAIN others to consider.
Selections
(1) Ilnyeom Sinhwa (12) World Winners Man (9) Fuerte (6) Bliss Marine
Next Best
3, 8
Fast Start
1, 2, 6, 11
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Plenty of winning chances here. (4) SEUNGNI PARTY got her maiden in at this distance in January and has since run twice at this level for 3rd and 4th place finishes, most recently at 1400M on March 15th when leading for much of the way. The drop back in trip can suit and she should be leading again here and can go all the way. (9) SANGIM BOLT remains a maiden but got promoted to this class following back-to-back runner-up finishes. He showed on the speed on his first try at this class on March 1st ultimately finishing in 4th place ahead of a couple of today’s rivals and can be competitive again. (11) BREEDO WIZARD and (12) LAND BANK are similarly maidens, but both have already placed at this class and can be dangers. (1) MADE HEEMANG is the other logical place chance.
Selections
(4) Seungni Party (9) Sangim Bolt (11) Breedo Wizard (12) Land Bank
Next Best
1, 6
Fast Start
2, 4, 9, 10
Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Eclipse Berry ran out the dominant winner of the Luna Stakes (1600M KOR-Listed), leading every step of the way to effortlessly secure the first jewel in this year’s Triple Tiara for three-year-old fillies.
Eclipse Berry wins the Luna Stakes (Pic: KRA)
Sent off as the 2.4 favourite locally among the sixteen-strong field, Moon Se-young guided Eclipse Berry across from gate eleven to assume the early lead and she was never close to being headed, streaking away to win by seven-lengths on the line. Global Taeyang was 2nd and surprise package Bang Bang Bang 3rd. Baekduui Kkum, the top juvenile filly at Busan last year, was 4th.
Winning trainer Seo Hong-soo noted that things had gone as well as they possibly could. “We had a plan, and Moon Se-young carried it out perfectly” he told in-house broadcaster KRBC. “The dam and sire (of Eclipse Berry) are very compatible, so I have always had high hopes for her” he continued. Eclipse Berry is by Shackleford and out of the Speightstown mare Silkberry.
(Pic: KRA)
“Our plan as a stable for this year was to raise our win rate by one or two percentage points and also to win a big race or two, so we are making good progress. We’ll take Eclipse Berry to the Korean Oaks in May and then go up to 2000M to finish the series.”
Moon Se-young told KRBC that it had been a good week. “Eclipse Berry trained really well in the days leading up to the race. Sometimes it can be complicated when traveling young fillies, but she was very relaxed, and I fully trusted her in the race.”
“I’ve ridden winners at Busan before, of course, but this was the first time up on the podium surrounded by fans”. His previous big race wins at the track were in 2022 with one presentation out on a deserted track front and the second held indoors. “It was great that so many fans came out and I was really happy when they were calling my name.”
“What was especially pleasing for me, was how many MZ racing fans travelled to be here today” he said, referring to a term currently used in South Korea to describe a combination of “millennials” and “Generation Z”.
Eclipse Berry and Moon Se-young (Pic: KRA)
“They are the future of this sport and with them I am confident that horse racing will be in a strong place long after I retire.”
Next week it’s the turn of the colts with the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2), the first leg of the Triple Crown, at Busan on Sunday afternoon.
Horse Racing in Korea 