The KRA Cup Classic, the only midsummer Korean Graded race, is the feature of a Sunday where Seoul is the only track staging live racing. There are 14 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million
Eleven juvenile maidens, all racing for the very first time. The favourite, and a warm one, will be (6) LEMON K. She went through two trials improving in the second of them on July 11th when she showed on pace and crossed the line in 3rd place in a decent time behind two horses with racing experience. If she brings that form to the races, she will take some beating. (3) RISING MO recorded the second fastest trial time, when showing towards the front in her heat. She draws nicely to be on pace and can be in this a long way. (11) SEMYEONG STRONG and (4) GEOLJAK HAPPY trialled up together on July 11th coming home in 3rd and 4th respectively in fair times and both can be considered first up. (7) RAON THE IMPACT perhaps another who could go well.
| Selections | (6) Lemon K (3) Rising Mo (11) Semyeong Strong (4) Geoljak Happy |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 11 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(2) BEST MAYA debuted back in April and finished so far back he earned himself not only a re-trial but also a trip to be gelded. That seems to have had the desired effect as he blitzed trials in consecutive weeks in early July, winning both and leading every step of the way. He draws nicely here and on that trial form, he wins. (7) SEOHAE BADA registered a 3rd and a 5th in two outings around the turn of the year. She hasn’t raced since but looked well when trialling on July 19th and can make a positive return here. (8) SPARKLING registered a much-improved 2nd at start number four on July 13th when for the first time ridden on pace and stopping the clock in a good time over 1300M. Moon Se-young getting the leg-up here means he will probably start as second favourite. (1) YEOGEOL BISANG and (4) CANVASEN GO are others in the placing hunt.
| Selections | (2) Best Maya (7) Seohae Bada (8) Sparkling (1) Yeogeol Bisang |
| Next Best | 4, 11 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(3) VIVA CHEONGSU hasn’t finished outside of the top five in five attempts so far. She is yet to win but has a 3rd place finish to her name at this class and distance two starts back. In this company, she can sit just behind the early speed and may prove too strong. (2) QUEEN ABIGAIL got her maiden win two starts back over this distance and then ran 3rd on her first try at this class on July 7th, coming from well off the pace and running on. She comes in under a light weight, draws well, and can go close again. (6) MAGIC STRONG can mix his form but enters off a smart 4th place oat this class and distance on June 1st and coming in fresh after nine weeks off, can go close again. (11) CHEONJANGSA and (10) MISS QUEEN FLY others in the placing hunt.
| Selections | (3) Viva Cheongsu (2) Queen Abigail (6) Magic Strong (11) Cheonjangsa |
| Next Best | 10, 7 |
| Fast Start | 6, 9, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Competitive race. (7) BAZOOKA BOY got his maiden win over 1700M in April and has since run 3rd and 4th at that same distance in his first two tries at this class. He has a 2nd place to his name over this distance and in this company can settle behind the pace and has every chance of running on. (5) SEOBU CHAMP has had her best results at this distance with a win and a runner-up finish, both at class 6. She showed he can measure up in this class with a 4th place over 1300M last time out on July 7th when slow away and coming from well back. She carries a light weight and can be a big danger. (8) GOLDEN DRAGON hasn’t raced since finishing down the field in Seoul’s Classic Trial in February. He is a winner at this class and during his layoff, he has been gelded. He looked well in a trial in late June and could provide some each-way interest. (4) SEONGSIL YEONGUNG and (2) CHOEGANG HYEONMA others to consider.
| Selections | (7) Bazooka Boy (5) Seobu Champ (8) Golden Dragon (4) Seongsil Yeongung |
| Next Best | 2, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(4) SHADOW HUNTER won back-to-back races in March and May to get rapidly promoted to this class and then proved he can be competitive in this company with a 3rd place over this distance on his first class 4 effort on June 29th when coming from midfield. Expect similar tactics today and under a fair weight, he will be favoured to win. (3) AMAZING ROCK has won her latest two to emulate Shadow Hunter in being rapidly promoted to this class. Her latest was a narrow score in a good time over this distance on July 21st and she returns quickly here under a light weight and very well drawn with every chance to measure up. (5) ILDONG BAKSU returned form over five months out to run a solid 3rd at this class and distance on July 7th – her seventh 3rd place finish in eleven starts. She should strip fitter for that run and can match or better today. (7) FLY DAY and (2) DALMAJI others in the frame.
| Selections | (4) Shadow Hunter (3) Amazing Rock (5) Ildong Baksu (7) Fly Day |
| Next Best | 2, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) SPALTA took a couple of goes to figure things out but has finished in the top-two on each of his latest five outings with two wins along the way, including last time out at this class and distance on July 7th when on pace throughout. He comes up 3k in the weights, but he draws nicely, and he is favoured to win again today. (1) GLOBAL CODIE was a winner at this distance at class 5 level two starts back before running 4th on his first try at this class on July 6th when leading for much of the way over 1200M. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and should be on pace and in this a long way. (10) TES GO DAEBO races for the first time since last September. He was previously a winner at this distance and looked very well when going through a trial on July 19th. Aside from the aforementioned pair, he has little to fear first-up on return. (3) MENI SPEAR and (4) JEONGSEONG FACTOR perhaps the best of the rest.
| Selections | (5) Spalta (1) Global Codie (10) Tes Go Daebo (3) Meni Spear |
| Next Best | 4, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 6 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(10) DREAM PLAY has been working back towards another win with recent efforts culminating in a 2nd place at this class over a mile on July 6th. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and is a strong finisher so the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem. (1) CHALLANHAN BULKKOT enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes at this class over 1400M and 1200M. Given the inside draw, she should be on pace and can be a big danger. (7) GEOLJAK EUTTEUM has been back to trial since his last outing, which ended in 5th place on what was his first try at this class. He won the trial coming from off the pace and if he can bring that form to the races, he is at least a place chance. (2) LEGAL HIGH and (6) WONPYEONG TOWN others in the mix.
| Selections | (10) Dream Play (1) Challanhan Bulkkot (7) Geolhak Eutteum (2) Legal High |
| Next Best | 6, 3 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 4, 6 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) WHIZ RUNNER was a winner at this class over 1400M in April and comes back down in trip following two decent spins around 1700M and a mile. He carries his fair share of weight here, but back in trip he draws well and with Moon Se-young on, this could be his day. If you prefer consistency, then (3) JEONGSEONG TIGER is the one. She has six top-three finishes to her name and enters off a 3rd place on her first try at this class over 1400M on June 29th. She is very nicely in the weights, draws well, and she should be there or thereabouts again. (8) JECHUK IHO is another model of consistency despite the lack of a win on his resume. He has eight top-four finishes from nine starts, including his latest when 3rd at this class in a quick time over 1200M. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and can be in the finish. (5) BEOLGYO TAEYANG and (10) EXCELLENT QUEEN are among other possibles in a race of many chances.
| Selections | (2) Whiz Runner (3) Jeongseong Tiger (8) Jechuk Iho (5) Beolgyo Taeyang |
| Next Best | 10, 1 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Two standouts here. (7) THORUI MANGCHI is up in class following three 2nd place finishes from his last four starts at 1400M and 1700M. He comes down a full 4.5kg in the weights and that’s enough to make him a leading contender here. In this company, he can sit behind the early speed and run on. (8) TOHO SKY has plenty of experience at this level including last tie out when he overcame gate eleven to run 2nd over 1400M. He also has the fastest time among these for the mile recorded two starts back when finishing 5th of eight. He will be on or close to the pace and has every chance. (10) GOOD SEONBONG comes up in class having won over 1400M on June 22nd. He comes up to the mile for the first time but is down 3.5kg in the weights and can be competitive. (5) HWA SSI BYEOK and (3) ARGO MUJEOK others in the frame.
| Selections | (7) Thorui Mangchi (8) Toho Sky (10) Good Seonbong (5) Hwa Ssi Byeok |
| Next Best | 3, 2 |
| Fast Start | 3, 8, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(9) GEOLJAK CHOEGANG won back-to-back races in March and April over 1200M and a mile one of them at this class before coming from off the pace to run 3rd, again at this class and distance on June 30th. He has the fastest time among these for the mile and while he carries his fair share of weight, he can win today. (5) STARTER is a winner of four from seven with her two most recent losses coming in the opening two legs of the Triple Tiara. She bounced back from that to score over 1400M and class 4 level on July 7th leading all the way and while up in class here she shapes as the main danger. (6) TIZ INDY come in off a 3rd and a 2dn from her latest two over a mile and 1800M. Lightly weighted and nicely drawn, she can be a big factor here. (4) CONCORD QUEEN and (1) RIVER TAEYANG are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (9) Geoljak Choegang (5) Starter (6) Tiz Indy (4) Concord Queen |
| Next Best | 1, 2 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(4) USEUNG CONCORD has won his latest three bringing him up rapidly in class here. His wins have been in double quick time and while he also tackles the 1800M for the first time, he looks to be quite a talent and he can make it four on the spin here. (1) META BLADE was a winner over this distance on May 12th when racing handy before striking the front at the top of the straight and racing away. She comes in fresh off twelve weeks out and while he is up in class, she carries a tiny weight, and she can win again. (5) BULUI NALGAE has plenty of experience at this level and comes in having run 3rd at this class and distance on May 26th. She likes to come from off the pace and will be a danger late on. (8) KING DIA and (7) CHEONGSAN YEONGUNG also in the placing frame.
| Selections | (4) Useung Concord (1) Meta Blade (5) Bului Nalgae (8) King Dia |
| Next Best | 7, 6 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 12: Class Open (2000M) Weight for Age / KRA Cup Class (KOR-G2) / KRW 700 Million
The only Graded race of midsummer and the main domestic lead-up to September’s international Korea Cup. (6) GLOBAL HIT won both the Herald Business and YTN Cup over course and distance in March and April, beating many of these in the process. He got turned over in a photo-finish to the Busan Owners’ Cup over 1800M in May but back in Seoul and back at 2000M, he is the one to beat. Getting the better of Global Hit in that photo was (2) TUHONUI BANSEOK. He was runner-up in the YTN but was beaten into 5th on re-appearance in the Busan Owners’ Cup over a mile in June. Back to two turns should suit him more and he can never be written off at the elite level. Filly rivals (5) WONDERFUL SLEW and (8) JEULGEOUNYEOJEONG tussle again and both can be in the mix. (7) NAOL SNIPER was overmatched in the Herald Business in March but has since notched two class 1 wins over this trip and maybe ready for another crack at the best.
| Selections | (6) Global Hit (2) Tuhonui Banseok (5) Wonderful Slew (8) Jeulgeounyeojeong |
| Next Best | 7, 9 |
| Fast Start | 2, 6, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 13: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(3) UMAPOY was an also-ran in both the Korean Derby and Minister’s Cup but returns to more amenable company here. He was won twice at this distance already and under a light weight and from a good gate, he can win here. (8) MEGA DRAGON also finished down the field in the Korean Derby before returning to shallower waters to run 3rd over a mile under an apprentice claim at this class on July 13th. He doesn’t get that claim today, but he does get Johan aboard instead, he has the fastest time of any of these for the 1800M, and he could return to winning ways here. (6) JJARITHAN JAYU comes up in class following a 2nd and a 3rd in his latest two, both over a mile. This is his first try at 1800M, but it may well suit and under a light weight, he can be in the mix. (2) WHITE CHARM and (4) BEAT RUNNER are others to consider for the places.
| Selections | (3) Umapoy (8) Mega Dragon (6) Jjarithan Jayu (2) White Charm |
| Next Best | 4, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 14: Class 1 (1200M) Special Weight B / KRW 110 Million
Fascinating finale. (7) SAENAE QUEEN won at this distance in a super time in April and since has a 4th and a 2nd most recently in a quick race on June 30th alongside plenty of these. She is very nicely weighted here and if she can get to the lead, she can win. (11) LEEWOLMA is a three-time winner at this distance a nd was 4th in the June 30th race. He has the challenge of the widest gate but surely has more wins in him. (4) VICS GO was a Listed winner over this distance in February. Since then, he has finished midfield in three subsequent outings in Group company and returning to regular Class 1 under a fair weight and from a good gate, he must have a chance. (9) BEST CHEONSANG won the June 30th race at a big price, his second consecutive win. He comes in under the same weight and warrants more respect this time. (1) MORFHIS can never be completely discounted.
| Selections | (7) Saenae Queen (11) Leewolma (4) Vics Go (9) Best Cheonsang |
| Next Best | 1, 3 |
| Fast Start | 6, 7, 10, 11 |
Horse Racing in Korea 