The Sprint Series gets underway on Sunday with the Busan Ilbo Sprint (1200M KOR-G2) on the south coast. There are 6 races at Busan from 12:05 to 16:30 (with the big race being the last) and 11 at Seoul from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(7) AFLEET RUN has a 3rd and a 5th among three starts so far, all at this distance. He was a beaten odds-on favourite last time out when racing handy, but in this company, will be well-backed again. (11) SECRET WOLF ran a solid 4th place on debut over this distance on February 15th, settling midfield and running on. She should have come on for that run and can break through. (4) RYAN HEART was a fair 3rd on debut when leading before being a touch disappointing when fading at start two over 1300M on February 8th. He draws better to lead here and can be given another chance. (2) COMPLETE TOUCH, who beat Afleet Run when 3rd at start number two on February 9th, along with (1) BEST RAZI, who has won a trial since a couple of underwhelming efforts, are others to consider.
| Selections | (7) Afleet Run (11) Secret Wolf (4) Ryan Heart (2) Complete Touch |
| Next Best | 1, 8 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 7, 1 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in this maiden. (2) SUHYANG MIIN has four top five finishes among her five outings including a 2nd, and she was beaten favourite when 5th last time out when failing to get on pace and dropping right back. She has a better gate today, Moon Se-young gets on, and she is worth another chance. (3) MORNING WONDER has a 4th and a 3rd from her first two, the latter at this distance on February 8th when settling just behind the speed and running on well. Third-up she can strip fitter, and she can be a danger. (9) FASHION STAR has similarly hinted at ability with a 3rd and a 5th from her first two appearances. She is half-sister to a Korean Group winner, and she can continue her progress here. (6) YEONGWON POTEN and (7) GLORY DAY other chances.
| Selections | (2) Suhyang Miin (3) Morning Wonder (9) Fashion Star (6) Yeongwon Poten |
| Next Best | 7, 8 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(9) GINSHARI BOY was a winner at start number two on January 26th, racing on pace throughout over 1200M. He comes up in class and slightly in trip, but is slightly down in the weights, and he can win again. (10) CHUPUNGNYEONG is also up in class following a maiden win, in his case at start number three over 1200M when coming from well off the pace on January 11th. Also up in trip but down in weight, his running style suggests the further the better at this stage and he can be a big danger late on. (11) HAKSAN CAIRO is yet to win in six attempts, but has never finished any worse than 5th. He enters off a 3rd place at this class and distance on February 16th, beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process, and he can be in the mix again. (5) BEOLGYO D Y and (3) WONDERFUL SWEET, the latter hopefully stripping fitter second-up after eight months out, are others to consider.
| Selections | (9) Ginshari Boy (10) Chupungnyeong (11) Haksan Cairo (5) Beolgyo D Y |
| Next Best | 3, 6 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 9 |
Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
Fillies only in the South Coast opener. It took (9) HOMYEONG SHINHWA a couple of goes to figure things out, but she has picked up considerably in her latest two with a 3rd and a 2nd, most recently at1200M on February 7th and coming from well off the pace. Seo Seung-un climbs on and the slight step up in trip can be what she needs to make the breakthrough. (2) SCYTHAI has made good progress across three starts, culminating in 2nd at this distance on February 7th when settling midfield and running on. She was well beaten by a good winner, but a similar effort will see her in the frame here. (6) BAEKPAL BOEUN was 5th behind Scythai in that race and with a 3rd place at the outing prior and Munro staying on, it’s enough to put her in the mix. (12) GOD NIKE and (7) HWARYEOHANJOMYEONG others to keep safe.
| Selections | (9) Homyeong Shinhwa (2) Scythai (6) Baekpal Boeun (12) God Nike |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(4) USEUNG JINLI was a winner at start two over 1400M in October and was well fancied for his first try at this class on December 1st. He only managed 6th – although a couple of these horses who beat him have gone on to do well – but came back lame in the off foreleg. He looked well enough when trialing in late January and he can go well first up here. (1) DANAEUN KINGDOM got his maiden win at start two over this distance on February 9th, settling midfield and running on well. He is up in class but down in weight and from a good draw he will probably start as favourite. (3) JEONGSEONG VICE enters off a 3rd place last time out at class and distance and that’s enough to put him in the placing mix again in this company. (6) CAMP DAVID and (5) WONDERFUL SPIRIT others to consider.
| Selections | (4) Useung Jinli (1) Danaeun Kingdom (3) Jeongseong Vice (6) Camp David |
| Next Best | 5, 11 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 9, 10 |
Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(3) BARBELL TROFEO was disappointing when favourite two starts back but bounced back to run 2nd at this distance on February 16th, racing on pace. While that January capitulation is a concern, he draws nicely here, Franco gets on, and he will be a warm favourite to oblige. There are two first-timers and (9) THUNDER PASSION will have plenty of supporters. It has taken him an age to get to the track having first trialed back in 2023. His latest heat was at the end of December when he ran 2nd in what was a slow time but Seo Seung-un’s booking and the weak company will mean he can be given a chance. (7) ASTRE comes in off a 4th place over 1300M on February 14th and a similar effort can see him go better here. (4) USANG RYUNG and (12) HOUDINI perhaps the best of a limited rest.
| Selections | (3) Barbell Trofeo (9) Thunder Passion (7) Astre (4) Usang Ryung |
| Next Best | 12, 2 |
| Fast Start | 3, 6, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(2) RUN WILD has had a stop-start career so far with four starts between December 2023 and July 2024 yielding two 2nd places. He comes in off a seven-month layoff, but he looked very well when a close 2nd in a trial three weeks ago and if he brings that form to the races, he will be hard to beat here. Nothing enters in any semblance of form so we’re tossing darts at the rest. (3) BEOLGYOWISU has been racing in better company than this and perhaps critically, comes back to the distance at which she has won and placed and from a good gate can be on pace and in this a long way. (10) GEUMSEONG YEOJE has also won at this trip and beat a couple of today’s rivals in her latest two which is enough to put her in the place hunt here. Without much confidence, (9) SAEROUN GUY and (5) CUPID HEART are others who can perform better than their respective latest efforts.
| Selections | (2) Run Wild (3) Beolgyowisu (10) Geumseong Yeoje (9) Saeroun Guy |
| Next Best | 5, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 7, 10, 11 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(11) DONGNAM GANGTAJA will be a warm favourite here. He got his maiden win over this distance at start number three and has since run 3rd and 5th in two tries at this class, most recently on January 20th. The wide draw should be no problem, and he should be finishing better than the rest of these. An even wider draw also ought to be no problem for (12) WONDERFUL FEVER. He was a winner at this class over 1300M tow starts back and while up 2kg in weight, has little to fear in this company. (8) DOCTOR HAPPY has placed at this class and distance as recently as December and that’s enough to put him in the placing frame here. The returning (1) TRIPLE DREAM along with (9) KING FIGHTER are others in the hunt.
| Selections | (11) Dongnam Gangtaja (12) Wonderful Fever (8) Doctor Happy (1) Triple Dream |
| Next Best | 9, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 8, 9 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
It took (5) LUCKY FRANK seven starts to break through and he finally did it at this class and distance on February 9th, leading every step of the way. He comes up 4.5kg in weight as a result but he draws well to lead again and, in this company, he should be repeating. (3) AUSTIN LEADER got his second win at the start twenty-two over 1300M the same day, similarly leading all the way. That brings him up in class but down in weight and well-drawn, he looks nicely in to, if not repeat, at least go close. (9) MISS CHARLIE enters off a 2nd place at this class over 1400M back in December. She comes in fresh following twelve weeks off and with Kozzi climbing on, she is a place hope again. (1) LADY TAEPUNG and (8) HYPER THUNDER other minor money chances.
| Selections | (5) Lucky Frank (3) Austin Leader (9) Miss Charlie (1) Lady Taepung |
| Next Best | 8, 10 |
| Fast Start | 3, 4, 5, 10 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) BACKTOTHECHAMPION has raced well since getting promoted to this class following a win at a mile last November, with a 3rd and a 5th from his latest two, both at this distance. He carries his fair share of weight, but he comes into a marginally better gate this time and has as good a chance as any. (3) BLACK FALCON has won just once from seventeen tries and was 4th to Backtothechampion’s 3rd when they met in January. He overcame gate twelve to run 4th at this distance on February 14th and better drawn this time, can be a danger. He will need to overturn the form on (2) WONDERFUL KAYALAN, who was the 30/1 winner of that February 14th race, showing on pace throughout. He has to deal with an additional 3.5kg but can be on pace and in this a long way again. (10) NANGMAN DAERO and (8) CONCORD PARK others to look out for.
| Selections | (9) Backtothechampion (3) Black Falcon (2) Wonderful Kaylan (10) Nangman Daero |
| Next Best | 8, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 6, 12 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(1) GANGNARU is up in class having won two of his latest three most recently at 1400M on February 8th. He is yet to finish worse than 3rd, and his running style suggests the step up to a mile will be no problem. He is down in weight, he draws well, and he is very much the one to beat. (7) GEUMBIT CHEONHA doesn’t win out of turn but is consistent with nine top three finishes. He is third-up following a lengthy absence and while he doesn’t have an apprentice claim today, he can be peaking fitness wise. (3) CITY KING was a class and distance winner on January 12th leading for most of the way around. He is up 3.5kg in weight but can go close again. (8) THANK YOU DAECHEON and (9) ILDONG BAKSU other place chances.
| Selections | (1) Gangnaru (7) Geumbit Cheonha (3) City King (8) Thank You Daecheon |
| Next Best | 9, 4 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 7, 10 |
Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(4) BEOLMAUI ANGEL has won four of his last five and has never been worse than 5th. He comes in following his latest win which came at this class over 1200M on February 7th when settling just behind the speed and running on. He comes up to the mile for the first time and has to handle an additional 4.5kg in weight, but he can continue on his merry way here. (9) WIDAEHAN SEONTAEK defied big odds to beat a few of these on his way to 2nd place at this class over 1400M on February 14th racing on pace. He comes up 2kg in weight, but the veteran can go close again. (2) STAR CLASS was 4th in that race, coming from well back and running on. He has placed three times in four starts at the mile and he can be finishing strongly again. (3) MORNING FLOW and (1) GEUMA INFINITE among other place chances.
| Selections | (4) Beolmaui Angel (9) Widaehan Seontaek (2) Star Class (3) Morning Flow |
| Next Best | 1, 10 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 9, 11 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(2) GOLDEN JACKPOT is the one to beat here. He got back-to-back wins in October and November last year at 1200M to get rapidly promoted to this class and has since run 3rd and 4th in two attempts at 1400M. He comes up to two-turns for the first time, but it can suit and from a good draw, he can win. (11) YONGBI BULPAE is yet to win but enters off a 4th and a 3rd from his latest two, beating a couple of today’s rivals on both occasions. He has proven able to run well from on pace and from behind and the step up to 1700M can suit. (5) WHIZ IMPOSSIBLE has mixed his form across his four starts but has finished off his races well and is another who may welcome the increased trip. (7) TINA K and (8) SPEEDY ROOKIE the other place chances.
| Selections | (2) Golden Jackpot (11) Yongbi Bulpae (5) Whiz Impossible (7) Tina K |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 4, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class Open (1200M) Weight for Age / Busan Ilbo Sprint (KOR G3) / KRW 500 Million
The first leg of the Sprint Series. It’s a division that needs a bit of an injection of talent and (1) BLACK MAMBA will be hot favourite to take his first Graded win. He’s won eight of thirteen starts including his latest two at class 1 at 1200M and 1400M. He was runner-up ahead of a few of these in last November’s Listed Kookje Shinmun Trophy at 1400M and today should be his day. (3) VINCERO CAVALLO had a poor day at the office in last month’s Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy at Seoul, but prior to that he won back-to-back class 1 races in quick times at this distance, and he can return to form here. (12) DAEAM JANGGUN may not win out of turn, but he is rarely far away, and the wide draw shouldn’t be a problem. (6) EOMA EOMA is not as quick as he used to be but his class can see him close here while (7) FANTASTIC KINGDOM is another in the frame.
| Selections | (1) Black Mamba (3) Vincero Cavallo (12) Daeam Janggun (6) Eoma Eoma |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 5, 7, 10, 11 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(3) SMART CAT may only have won twice, but he has no fewer the eleven top three finishes including each of his latest seven. Most recently he stepped up to this trip for the first time and ran 2nd and with that experience in the bag, he really should be going one better today. Should he manage to yet again find one too quick (9) NEW DOLKONG is the most likely candidate. He mixes his form but is a two-time winner over this distance including two starts back just before Christmas. He can run well from on pace or from behind and he is clear second favourite here. (7) TOHO SKY has been a bit ordinary in his latest three, but Harry gets on here and the step up in trip can see him back to some form. (4) GEUM SEDA and (5) ENDING FIRE are other place hopes.
| Selections | (3) Smart Cat (9) New Dolkong (7) Toho Sky (4) Geum Seda |
| Next Best | 5, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 8, 10 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
The second division of this class 3 handicap. (5) PALATINO is yet to finish any worse than 3rd in four starts with his win coming at 1200M. He ran 2nd at 1400M on his first try at this class on February 9th having led for much of the way around and he comes up to two turns for the first time under a light weight, drawn well, and with Moon Se-young up. The danger is (7) SAINT LUCCA. He ran out a winner at this distance on February 9th, racing on pace all the way around. He is up 3.5kg in the weights but can score again. Those two are well clear of the others on current form. (3) SAEPARANG has won and placed at this distance and from a good draw can aim for the places again. (1) WHIZ RUNNER and (8) MUNHAK TAPIT are others who can contest the minors.
| Selections | (5) Palatino (7) Saint Lucca (3) Saeparang (1) Whiz Runner |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 6, 9 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Class 1 but with a rating cap of 100. (6) VICS GO got his solitary win over this distance in Listed company and while that was more than a year ago now, he showed signs of coming back into form with an on pace 2nd at 1400M on February 9th and while he carries plenty of weight here, he can return to the winner’s circle. (5) YEONGGWANGUI WORLD saw his three-race winning streak come to an end in the Listed Segye Ilbo Trophy last month. This looks a more suitable assignment and under a light weight, he can be in the mix. (4) COMPLETE LEVEL beat Vics Go to win that February 9th race and drawing well to be on pace can be in this a long way. (2) SUPER FINISH and (9) SEUNGBUSA others in the hunt.
| Selections | (6) Vics Go (5) Yeonggwangui World (4) Complete Level (2) Super Finish |
| Next Best | 9, 1 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 9 |
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