Month: August 2024

Busan Sunday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 11)

With Seoul taking its summer week off, Busan is the sole action on Sunday with 14 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Baekduui Kkum goes in race 12 (Pic: KRA)

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Anything could win this. (6) MAKE IT BETTER ran fairly on debut for a 6th of nine finish over 1000M. He was doing his best work late on so with some natural improvement, a step up in trip, and with Munro climbing on, there is every chance that he will be better here. (3) STORMING MAGIC enters off a much-improved 2nd place over 1300M on July 12th when settling behind the speed and running on.  A similar effort will see her close here. (8) RAON STROKE was disappointing over 1400M last time out but has a 2nd and a 3rd to her name over this trip and Seo Seung-un being booked catches the eye. (4) AMAZING MOVE and (1) SIMON STAR others to consider.

Selections(6) Make It Better (3) Storming Magic (8) Raon Stroke (4) Amazing Move
Next Best1, 2
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 6

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) DREAMING BOY has a 3rd and a 4th among three starts so far up to 1400M and has been finishing off his races well. There is no early speed in this race so from a good gate, he can be on pace and the step up to a mile can suit. (8) GOLDEN NICE has been hovering on the brink of the places and comes in off a close 4th place over 1400M on July 19th. She tends to get back in her races so is another for who the step up in trip can be a benefit. (4) BABEL DREAMY is another who settles back and runs on. She has a 4th and two 3rd place finishes from her latest three, beating a couple of these in the process and she should be there or thereabouts again. (2) GEUMA BRISK and first-time starter (7) KING’S MARINE are the other chances.  

Selections(3) Dreaming Boy (8) Golden Nice (4) Babel Dreamy (2) Geuma Brisk
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start3, 5, 6, 8

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with four of the ten making their racing debuts. Usefully for us, four of the ones with experience raced against each other on their debuts and a couple went well. (1) MY DREAM DAY finished the best of them over 1000M on July 12th when on pace throughout and running 2nd. He draws well to lead and this time can go all the way. (2) BEOLMAUI ANGEL was 2nd in that race having been handy all the way. He has two lengths to find on My Dream Day but an extra furlong to find them. (3) NINETY PLUS was further back in 5th place in that race, about two-lengths behind Beolmaui Angel, starting a touch slow and running on. He put in a super final furlong time and can improve second-up. With it perhaps being best to take a watching brief with the first timers, (10) EMPEROR and (8) BAEDARI BOSEOK, may be the next ones to consider.

Selections(1) My Dream Day (2) Beolmaui Angel (3) Ninety Plus (10) Emperor
Next Best8, 4
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 9

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden. (4) CHEONHA GEONGANG raced twice without distinction around the turn of the year and was then put away for four months. She won a trial at the end of June and then ran 2nd on her return over this distance on July 12th, sitting handy throughout. She should have come on for that run and will be favoured to go one better today. (5) TROPHY WARE raced three times across the end of last year and the beginning of this, registering a 2nd place sandwiched between two poorer efforts. She hasn’t raced since February but looked well when on pace in a July trial and can go well first-up. Continuing the theme, (1) NAMHAE YEOGEOL returned from almost six months off to run a solid 3rd place on July 7th in a similar race to this and beating some of today’s rivals. She should strip fitter for the run and draws well to lead and be in this a long way. (2) DREAMMA and newcomer (8) UNJU CHALLENGE are the others in the placing frame.

Selections(4) Cheonha Geongang (5) Trophy Ware (1) Namhae Yeogeol (2) Dreamma
Next Best8, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 5

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) BEAT DRAGON will be a warm favourite here. He comes in having run 2nd and 4th in his latest two, both at this class and distance. He has the fastest time among these for the mile by some margin and he could take some beating here. It’s not an intimidating set of opponents. (6) GOTOTHEVALHALLA was an all the way winner over 1200M to get his maiden win at start number three on July 12th. He comes up in class and significantly in distance here, but he can measure up. (3) EUNSEONG CHAMPION will need a line drawn through his latest when weakening late over 1800M. He has a win, a 2nd and a 3rd from three starts at the mile though and can be in the finish here. (8) ILNYEOM SINHWA got his maiden win over this trip on July 21st and while up in class, he is down in weight, and can be competitive. (1) TOP FRIEND another in the hunt.

Selections(5) Beat Dragon (6) Gotothevalhalla (3) Eunseong Champion (8) Ilnyeom Sinhwa
Next Best1, 4
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 6

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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Busan Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 10)

With Seoul taking its one week summer break, Busan flies solo on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday sees a 9-race card from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

(5) ROAD TO FIGHTER ran a close 3rd in debut on July 5th in a quick race over 1000M. He should have come on for that experience, the additional furlong can suit, and he can be the one to beat here. (6) GRAND DREAM beat Road To Fighter when winning a June trial before acquitting himself solidly on debut on June 21st when 3rd over this distance. It wasn’t a fast race but with some natural improvement here, he is the main danger. (3) STORM GRIT didn’t do much on debut but has since registered a very close 2nd and a slightly more distance 3rd in two subsequent efforts. He has the fastest time among the four of these who have attempted this distance already and he should be in the mix again. The form drops off after those three with (8) TRIPLE J and (4) FAT BOY the other placing chances.

Selections(5) Road To Fighter (6) Grand Dream (3) Storm Grit (8) Triple J
Next Best4, 1
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 6

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Small but competitive field with a few of them looking ready to win. (7) NEW LEADER has made steady progress across three starts so far, culminating in a runner-up finish over 1400M in a filly-only maiden on July 19th. In this company, she should be on pace, Munro climbs on, and she can go one better. (2) LASER GRIT and (4) B.K. MARON came home 2nd and 3rd respectively when they raced each other at this distance on July 7th. Both had been on an upward trajectory leading up to that and both can be in the mix again. (3) SKY ARCH was 4th in that same race having been ridden a bit further forward than in previous outings. She can be in this a long way too. (1) PINOT POWER the best of the rest.

Selections(7) New Leader (2) Laser Grit (4) B.K. Maron (3) Sky Arch
Next Best1, 5
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 7

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(6) BEOLMAUI ACE debuted without distinction last November but didn’t re-appear until this June when running 2nd over 1200M. He then got his maiden win at start number three over 1300M on July 12th, racing on pace. He comes up in class and slightly in trip but third-up he can be peaking fitness wise, and he can win again. (4) UNJU GUY ran 2nd on debut in June before getting his maiden win at start number wo when stepped up to this distance n July 14th, showing on pace throughout. He too comes up in class but is in under a light weight and can measure up. (8) NEOM CITY is still winless but comes up in class having run 2nd to Unju Guy in that July 14th race. She comes down in the weights and can be competitive. (7) CAPTAIN EVERYTHING and (3) BEST BOY others in the hunt.

Selections(6) Beolmaui Ace (4) Unju Guy (8) Neom City (7) Captain Everything
Next Best3, 5
Fast Start1, 4, 6, 8

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) GOAT KING IJI is yet to win in six starts but enters having overcome a wide draw to run a fair 5th on his first try at this class over 1800M on July 19th. He comes back to the distance at which he recorded his two best finishes and under a light weight and from a good gate, he can make the breakthrough here. (5) MORO made the breakthrough at the twenty-fourth time of asking at this class and distance on July 5th. He only comes up 1kg in the weights and lightning could strike twice. (2) SUPER CRACK and (1) HWARANG ACE come in having run 2nd and 4th respectively when racing one another at this class and distance on July 7th. The former is a non-winner, and the latter has won just the once, but both can be in the placing mix. (8) YEONSEUNG BRAVO another to consider for the minors.

Selections(4) Goat King Iji (5) Moro (2) Super Crack (1) Hwarang Ace
Next Best8, 3
Fast Start4, 5, 7, 8

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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KRA Cup Classic Sunday Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (August 4)

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:

Jeulgeounyeojeong is among those tackling the KRA Cup Classic (Pic: KRA)

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 Best7, 9
Fast Start3, 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 Best4, 11
Fast Start1, 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 Best10, 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 Best2, 1
Fast Start1, 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.

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Saturday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (August 3)

With no Jeju this week, there is a rare Saturday card at Busan (Busan will be off on Sunday) joining the regular Seoul Saturday program. There are 9 races in Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00 and 6 in Busan from 11:35 to 16:55. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens in the opener with five of the ten racing for the first time. We’ll side with a debut-maker. (9) GLOBAL TIME took two goes to qualify but looked well in the second of them when coming from off the pace for a close 2nd in a quick time. The 1200M should suit first up and Moon Se-young being booked catches the eye. Seo Seung-un is in town to ride Jeulgeounyeojeong in the KRA Cup Classic on Sunday and he picks up a live chance with (3) CHEONGONGUI SEOM. He beat two of the other experienced ones here when they debuted together over 1000M in a very quick race on July 6th. He came from off the pace, so the extra furlong can be in his favour, and he is the danger. (6) LONG RUN BULPAE finished 7th in that same race and can improve. (4) FUNNY TAP and (5) EODIGADO are other first-timers who hinted at ability in trials.

Selections(9) Global Time (3) Cheongongui Seom (6) Long Run Bulpae (4) Funny Tap
Next Best5, 10
Fast Start1, 6, 9, 10

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

A couple of standouts here. (8) RAON THE KLAMMER has been getting closer across his latest few starts culminating with a 3rd and most recently a 2nd, from his latest two. That runner-up finish case over this distance on July 7th when he led for most of the way, ultimately getting passed by the favourite late on. He has the fastest time among these for the distance and today can be his day. (9) GEUMSEONG POWER enters off a best to date 2nd place over 1200M on June 30th when settling midfield and running on. He too has seemingly started to figure things out over his latest few and he is the man danger by some margin. (7) YEONGWON FANTASTIC has only raced twice and managed a 4th on debut before running 6th from a wide draw at 1400M at start number two. He can be closer here. (1) JILPUNG JAZZ and (3) GROUPER others in the hunt.

Selections(8) Raon The Klammer (9) Geumseong Power (7) Yeongwon Fantastic (1) Jilpung Jazz
Next Best4, 2
Fast Start3, 4, 7, 8

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and with two 3rd places and a 4th from three starts so far, (4) GUKDAE MIRACLE will start as a warm favourite. All three of those outings were in similar filly maidens over 1200M and stepping up slightly in trip for the first time, she can be expected to be on pace and is the one to beat. (3) HAEUNDAE SUNSHINE managed three top-four finishes from four starts before a layoff. She returns here for the first time since March and having trialled up fairly and drawn well, she can be considered to go close. (2) RUNNING FASHION also comes in off a layoff having not run since April. She has a 3rd and a 2nd among her latest four and can be in the mix here. (10) HEUIMANG YEOSIN and (5) MOTHER WONDERFUL others in the frame.

Selections(4) Gukdae Miracle (3) Haeundae Sunshine (2) Running Fashion (10) Heuimang Yeosin
Next Best5, 6
Fast Start3, 4, 5, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special weight A / KRW 30 Million

Fillies only in this maiden and (1) SKY TEN has been getting closer across her latest few, culminating in a 2nd place on July 6th over 1200M when coming from ff the pace and beating a few of today’s rivals. She comes into a much better gate today and will be warmly favoured to go one better. (5) DIVA FESTIVAL was slowly away on debut on July 14th. She put in a super final furlong time and while it was only good enough to get her up into 7th place, with a better start and here, she could be dangerous late. (10) MERIT SUNSHINE has been showing steady improvement over four starts so far and can improve on her latest 4th. (2) SINUI BLUE and (3) YONGBICHEON among others who can be in the mix.

Selections(1) Sky Ten (5) Diva Festival (10) Merit Sunshine (2) Sinui Blue
Next Best3, 4
Fast Start1, 8, 10, 11

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1600M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

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Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (August 2)

With the Jeju Ponies taking the weekend off, it’s a bumper feast of thoroughbred racing across three days at Seoul and Busan – 43 races across the two tracks. The action starts at Busan on Friday with 14 races from 11:00 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

You Hyun-myung is back in action at Busan this weekend (Pic: KRA)

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maiden fillies with all ten racing for the first time. (1) WINNERS ROOKIE is a “full sister to Korea Cup and Grand Prix Stakes winner Winner’s Man and looked well when 3rd in a June trial, coming from off the pace. She was a long way behind the experienced winner but ran on well and from the inside gate can put in a bold showing first up. (2) UNION CHAMP recorded the fastest trial time among these when handy and running on. She too draws nicely and should be in the mix. (4) DOCTOR HAPPY was much improved on her second trial, showing on pace and running on well. She too has as good a chance as any. (9) GREAT MARU and (6) KYUNGNAM DRAGON are others who hinted at ability, and this could be an interesting race.

Selections(1) Winners Rookie (2) Union Champ (4) Doctor Happy (9) Great Maru
Next Best6, 10
Fast Start2, 4, 9, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Juvenile maidens with five of the eight racing for the first time. We’ll side with experience and (2) WINNER CLEAR, who ran a close 3rd in a fair time on debut over this distance on June 28th having come from off the pace. He should have come on for that run and will be favoured to come out on top here. Having won a trial, (5) LIME TREE was sent off as favourite on debut over 1000M on July 5th, but she started slowly and got a bit far back before running on for 5th. She too should be better for that experience, the step up in trip can suit, and Munro climbs on. Among the first timers, (8) SAENAE HUNTER was a long way behind a class 1 winner of his heat but nevertheless, he raced on pace and posted a quick time and can go well. (1) STORM FIGHTER and (7) DIA KNIGHT the others most likely to make an immediate impact.

Selections(2) Winner Clear (5) Lime Tree (8) Saenae Hunter (1) Storm Fighter
Next Best7, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 4, 8

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Maidens with three of the eight racing for the first time. (1) WONDERFUL GROOM will be a hot favourite, having run 3rd on debut over 1000M on May 31st and then 2nd over the same distance at start number two on July 5th. He raced on pace both times, the extra furlong can suite and he draws well to be on pace again and this time go all the way. After a couple of positive trials, (2) DREAM RACE settled handy on debut before running on for 4th place over this distance in a fair time. She should have derived benefit from the experience and shapes as the main danger here. The pick of the newcomers is (5) CRAZY LEO. He went through two trials, improving in the second of them on July 6th (which was a voluntary trial so may not appear in all racecards) when 2nd, a long way behind the winner but in a decent time. If he brings that form to the races, he has placing chances first-up. (4) BORA CHAMP and (8) THE WIND others in the minor money hunt.

Selections(1) Wonderful Groom (2) Dream Race (5) Crazy Leo (4) Bora Champ
Next Best8, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 7

Busan Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After winning a June trial, (6) WATER DRAGON ran 3rd on debut on July 19th over this distance racing handy throughout. He should have come on for that run, Munro gets on and he won’t need to improve very much at all to win here. (1) SUPER KANEL is a twenty-five- race maiden and can have a line drawn through his lates over a mile. He draws nicely here, and this is the kind of race in which he can find some minor money. (4) MISS CROW has raced three times with her best being a 4th place in June when coming from well off the pace. She has tended to get too far back in her races but in this company, she can be more prominent. (9) GLOBAL SPURT and (3) GUKDAE LEGEND perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Selections(6) Water Dragon (1) Super Kanel (4) Miss Crow (9) Global Spurt
Next Best3, 7
Fast Start1, 3, 6, 7

Busan Race 5: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

Small but tricky field with none entering in convincing form. (4) GOLDMASK has hinted at ability across her seven starts so far and while she has finished no better than 4th, she has finished off her races well and the slight step up in trip to 1400M may be just what she needs to break through. (8) FLYING ICE enters off a solid 4th place over 1300M on July 12th when settling right back and running on and a similar effort will see him closer in this company today. (1) HI LEGEND returned from four months out on June 21st and while he finished back in the pack, he should strip fitter here and comes into a better gate. (5) PUREUN YEOLJEONG and (3) PRIME JOY look to be the other place chances.

Selections(4) Goldmask (8) Flying Ice (1) Hi Legend (5) Pureun Yeoljeong
Next Best3, 6
Fast Start1, 3, 5, 7

Busan Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

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