The Triple Tiara Series for three-year-old fillies concludes on Sunday at Seoul Racecourse with Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (2000M KOR-G3) and Eclipse Berry will be the favourite to complete a clean-sweep of the series having already won the Luna Stakes and Korean Oaks. The big race is race 8 on a 10-race program at Seoul which runs from 10:35 to 18:00. There are also 7 races at Busan from 11:25 to 17:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
It’s hard to go past (9) CUPID MIR in this maiden. He has no fewer than six top-four finishes from seven attempts, including his latest over 1200M on May 18th when slow away and settling right back before running on. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and in this company, he should be on pace and will take some beating. (3) HEUNGHAENG BULPAE has finished in either 4th or 5th place in all seven of his starts so far. He has a strong finish on him and can be aiming for better here. Solitary debut-maker (4) WONDERFUL TECHNO trialled up well and from a good draw shouldn’t be ruled out first up. (2) DAEMUL SOCKS and (1) SCALE KING the other major place chances.
| Selections | (9) Cupid Mir (3) Heunghaeng Bulpae (4) Wonderful Techno (2) Daemul Socks |
| Next Best | 1, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 9, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) SUNSHINE QUEEN comes in off a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, both at 1300M and both times finishing off well. She comes up to 1400M for the first time and from a good draw, Jo Jae-ro can pick his spot behind the speed and she has solid claims here. (8) MK LEE has shown good progress across four starts so far and was a close 4th over 1300M last time out. He too comes up to the 1400M for the first time and in this company can be on or close to the pace and can be in this a long way. (3) RAON THE KLAMMER was 5th behind MK Lee at his last start. He draws better this time and can be a danger, (11) TRES VITE and (6) SMILE GOLD others in the hunt.
| Selections | (1) Sunshine Queen (8) MK Lee (3) Raon The Klammer (11) Tres Vite |
| Next Best | 6, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
One of two debut-makers in the race, (5) QUEEN SOPHIA looked very well when winning a trial as easily as she pleased in a quick time on May 18th, sitting behind the leader before pulling clear. She draws nicely and if she brings that form to the races, she can win. (8) SEOGWI STAR is yet to finish outside of the top-five and comes in off her best finish so far when 2nd at this distance on May 17th. She carries a light weight here and can be a danger. (1) YEONGGWANGUI ROSE likes to race on pace and today draws very nicely for a much easier run to the front. Franco climbs on and she should be in this a long way. (10) GREEN BULLDOZER and (3) PURE DANCE others in the placing frame.
| Selections | (5) Queen Sophia (8) Seogwi Star (1) Yeonggwangui Rose (10) Green Bulldozer |
| Next Best | 3, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 3 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Competitive race. (10) AMAZING STAR has two 4th places and a 3rd from three starts so far racing handy on each occasion. She draws a touch wide here but should be able to find a relatively forward position and today can be her day. (8) BLACK SPECTER ran 3rd on debut in March before following up with a close 5th on May 4th, both times over 1200M and both times coming from off the pace. The slight step up in trip can suit and he can be a threat here. (7) SEONGSIL CHEONHA has trialled twice since his latest run and looked much more assured in the latter of those on May 23rd (may not appear in all racecards) when a close 2nd in a quick time. He can be in the mix first-up here for his first race in sixteen weeks. (5) ALL NUT and (1) MAX PARTY among plenty of others who can be in the mix.
| Selections | (10) Amazing Star (8) Black Specter (7) Seongsil Cheonha (5) All Nut |
| Next Best | 1, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Open race with plenty of chances. (4) WONDERFUL FEVER is yet to win but got promoted to this level having placed in each of his first three starts. He then ran a solid 5th over this distance on his first try at this level on May 10th when he had to overcome gate ten. He draws much better today and under a light weight, he can win. (6) STRIKE ZONE has never finished any worse than 5th in seven attempts with his win coming at 1300M. He races for the first time since running 3rd in a quick race at this class over 1400M in January, but he looked well in a May trial and can go well first-up. (7) MAJESTIC DANCER enters off a 4th place at class and distance on May 10th coming from off the pace and he can be a danger late on again here. (8) MOST RAPID and (9) GOLDEN AIR others in the frame.
| Selections | (4) Wonderful Fever (6) Strike Zone (7) Majestic Dancer (8) Most Rapid |
| Next Best | 9, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(5) BEST DAERO got his maiden win at start number three over 1300M on March 30th leading every step of the way before trying to repeat on his first try at this class on May 5th when ultimately weakening to 5th at that same trip. He comes back slightly in trip and in this company, should get an easy lead and can go all the way. (4) AROMA and (2) FINAL GO came home 5th and 6th when they raced one another at this class and distance on May 4th. With only six starts under his best, Final Go may have the more potential for improvement, this is the kind of race that the experienced Aroma can pick up some money in. (6) PURPLE WINK and (3) E.H. COCO are the other logical ones to consider.
| Selections | (5) Best Daero (4) Aroma (2) Final Go (6) Purple Wink |
| Next Best | 3, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 5, 6 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Fillies only here. Having impressed in a series of trials, (8) YOUR TURN ran out a convincing winner on debut over 1200M on May 5th racing on pace throughout. She comes up in class and slightly in trip, but she is favoured to make it two from two. (4) HYPER FORCE is yet to win but she comes up in class after three near misses at 1400M. She carries a light weight, she draws well, and with Franco climbing up, today could be her day. (2) HERE THE QUEEN enters off a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two at 1200M and a mile. She carries her fair share of weight but should be in the mix again. (7) ALICE MARINE and (5) QUEEN’S FLETAR are others who can enter the calculations.
| Selections | (8) Your Turn (4) Hyper Force (2) Here The Queen (7) Alice Marine |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Small but competitive field. (7) BRIGHT QUEEN was a winner on debut over 1300M on May 12th, coming from off the pace and running on strongly. She comes up in class and up in trip but her running style suggests it can suit and under a light weight, she can make it two from two today. (3) BEAT YEONGUNG registered his maiden win over this distance at start number five on May 11th, settling back and finishing well. He comes up in class but is down in the weights and with Moon Se-young staying on, he will have plenty of supporters for a repeat. (5) DRAGON SQUARE is yet to win in seven but enters off a class and distance 3rd place on May 18th and should be there or thereabouts again. (6) CHOEGANG NICE and (1) POWER ETCHED are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (7) Bright Queen (3) Beat Yeongung (5) Dragon Square (6) Choegang Nice |
| Next Best | 1, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 7 |
Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Jockey Song Kyeong-yun had a proper day out at Busan on Friday with four winners, and he could have another here with (5) SPRIT FIGHTER. It may have taken him ten starts to get his maiden win, which finally arrived on May 12th but the manner of it, in a quick time, suggests there is more to come. He comes up a full 4kg in the weights as well as up in trip, but both can be overcome. (6) THEIA has been coming back into form recently with a 4th and a 3rd from her latest two, both over this distance and both times running out of class. She drops down a grade here and should be in contention. (8) WONDERFUL IMPACT defied long odds to beat plenty of these on her way to 2nd place at class and distance on May 3rd and warrants more respect this time. (9) COLONEL FLYING and (10) ADELE HORANGI are the other placing chances.
| Selections | (5) Sprit Fighter (6) Theia (8) Wonderful Impact (9) Colonel Flying |
| Next Best | 10, 7 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 8 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Fillies (and one mare) only here. (3) TIZ MORNING comes in having won three in a row from February, most recently at this class and distance on May 11th. Tactically versatile, she can win from on pace or from behind and while she comes up 3kg, that’s balanced by a good draw, and she can make it four on the spin here. (8) SHACKLE POINT comes up in class following an all the way win over this distance on April 28th. She has run competitive times for this distance, and she can measure up in this company. (1) HAENGBOKAN SEUNGJA had a hard time in her latest outing, which was in a valuable Trophy race back in April. Prior to that, she placed twice at this class over 1200M and while she carries her fair share of weight here, she draws nicely and coming in fresh after eight weeks out, she can be a danger. (6) ARGO GONGJU and (4) TUHON TEUKGEUP other place chances.
| Selections | (3) Tiz Morning (8) Shackle Point (1) Haengbokan Seungja (6) Argo Gongju |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 5, 7 |
Busan Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) HUNTER DRAGON will be hot favourite. He comes in having won his latest two, at 1800M and a mile when racing on pace both times. He comes up in class today and while he doesn’t get a break in the weights, he draws very nicely to get an easy run to the front, and he will take some beating. (2) AKARAKA is yet to break through (as an import, he began at this level) but enters off a smart runner-up finish over 1400M on May 12th. The step up to two turns here may well suit and he carries a light weight. (7) DOCTOR PHARAOH and (4) LOVE KING IJI came home in 2nd and 3rd respectively when they raced one another at class and distance on May 10th and while both come up in the weights, they should be competitive again. (5) BABEL HEART a longer each-way chance.
| Selections | (1) Hunter Dragon (2) Akaraka (7) Doctor Pharaoh (4) Love King Iji |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 6 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(10) GIANT STEP is a winner of two from four to be rapidly promoted to this class with the latest of those victories having come over 1400M on May 5th when handy throughout. He comes up to a mile for the first time but is down 2kg in the weights, and the widest gate shouldn’t be too much of a problem. (9) WORLD BLAME is yet to win in four attempts but has finished no worse than 4th. He has finished off his races well and the step up to a mile can suit. (2) JEONGWOO FOREVER is more experienced and comes in with his recent form reading consistently well. He has placed twice at a mile and should be in the mix again. (1) UJU JEONJAENG and (8) WONDERFUL PURGE are the other place chances.
| Selections | (10) Giant Step (9) World Blame (2) Jeongwoo Forever (1) Uju Jeonjaeng |
| Next Best | 8, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 8, 10 |
Busan Race 6: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(1) HWANGU DAEJANGGUN won four of his first five and while he hasn’t scored in ten appearances since, his recent form reads very pleasingly with plenty of near misses including 3rd place in a valuable Trophy race over 1200M in April. Most recently he was 4th at that same distance, beating a couple of today’s rivals on May 10th. He has won at 1400M, and he can win again. (3) POWER SOUND will be disputing favourite status. He comes up in class having won over this distance on May 3rd when leading from gate to wire. With an apprentice engaged, he comes down a full 4.5kg in the weights and that combined with a good draw, makes him very competitive here. (5) HONOR CAL was a smart class and distance 4th on May 19th and a similar effort should see him in the money again. (10) NAKDONG JEONSA and (7) HAENAM HAMMER are others to consider.
| Selections | (1) Hwangu Daejanggun (3) Power Sound (5) Honor Cal (10) Nakdong Jeonsa |
| Next Best | 7, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 3, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 8: Class Open (2000M) Special Weight A / Gyeonggi Governor’s Cup (KOR G3) / KRW 500 Million
The final leg of the Triple Tiara attracts just nine runners and (3) ECLIPSE BERRY will be heavily favoured to complete a clean sweep of all three jewels having previously won the Luna Stakes and the Korean Oaks. The Luna win over a mile was easy but she only just got home in the Oaks after jockey Moon Se-young dropped his crop a furlong out. She showed character that day and with no mishaps this time, she should emulate Jeulgeounyeojeong from a year ago. (7) GLOBAL TAEYANG almost managed to take advantage of Eclipse Berry’s late woes in the Oaks, coming up on the inside and getting on terms before the winner pulled herself together just in time. She was 2nd in the Luna as well and if Eclipse Berry comes up short in any way, she is the one to beat her. (1) BANG BANG BANG as 3rd in both the Luna and the Oaks and there is no reason to oppose her filling out that position again. (8) FLYING STAR and (4) BLUE LEMON the best of the rest.
| Selections | (3) Eclipse Berry (7) Global Taeyang (1) Bang Bang Bang (8) Flying Star |
| Next Best | 4, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 8 |
Busan Race 7: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
(10) YEONGGWANGUILEGEND returned from four months of to run 4th at this class over 1200M in March. A winner of five from seventeen, twelve weeks further on he can be fitter and down in the weights, he can win today. The very experienced (8) GREAT BOSS enters with recent form reading well. He has two 2nd places and a 4th from his latest three, coming from off the pace, and he can be a danger here. That would mean overturning the form on (4) CHOEGANG SSONSAL, who ran 2nd to Great Boss’s 4th when they raced one another on April 12th. He comes up 2kg in the weights but draws well and can be in the mix again. The returning (9) ILBEONJI is the wildcard, while (11) MAN OF THE YEAR is another place chance.
| Selections | (10) Yeonggwanguilegend (8) Great Boss (4) Choegang Ssonsal (9) Ilbeonji |
| Next Best | 11, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) FLYING CARAVANE was a strong winner over 1200M on May 4th when racing handy throughout. HE was just second-up following five months off and while he comes up in class here, he can be peaking fitness-wise, and he draws very nicely to repeat. (3) RAON AIR FORCE was a good winner at this distance on April 20th, leading all the way. He comes up in class but is similarly nicely drawn to be on pace and he can measure up in this company. (7) WONPYEONG TOWN doesn’t win out of turn, but he has placed twice at this class recently and should be in the hunt. (9) BAEKDU BOY and (8) LONDON ACE are among others who can be considered.
| Selections | (1) Flying Caravane (3) Raon Air Force (7) Wonpyeong Town (9) Baekdu Boy |
| Next Best | 8, 2 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(5) BLACK BELT was a winner at this distance at class 4 level in March before running a solid 4th in a valuable Trophy race over a mile on April 14th. His record around two turns reads very well, and he can win here. (9) GREAT STORM won three consecutive races between January and April to get rapidly promoted to this level, before running 5th on his first try at this class and distance on May 11th. A couple of these finished ahead of him in that race, but Moon Se-young climbs up and plenty will think he can overturn that form. (11) ZIGGURAT was an also-ran in the Derby but coming back into shallower waters, can be a threat. (2) CLUB D and (1) SEGWANG FIGHTER are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (5) Black Belt (9) Great Storm (11) Ziggurat (2) Club D |
| Next Best | 1, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 9, 11 |
Horse Racing in Korea 