Month: March 2025

Sprint Series Sunday Busan & Seoul: Race-By-Race Preview (March 9)

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:

Raon The Point won the Busan Ilbo Sprint a year ago (Pic: KRA)

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 Best1, 8
Fast Start2, 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 Best7, 8
Fast Start1, 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 Best3, 6
Fast Start1, 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 Best7, 10
Fast Start1, 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 Best5, 11
Fast Start3, 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 Best12, 2
Fast Start3, 6, 7, 9

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(more…)

Seoul Saturday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 8)

Saturday’s racing is at Seoul with 10 races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

(1) NICE WINNER was 2nd on debut before being beaten into 3rd place when odds-on favourite at start number two on January 19th. The pair that beat him that day have both gone on to place at class 5 and from the inside gate and with Moon Se-young staying aboard, he will be a similarly short price to get it right this time. (11) YES ANGEL was an improved 4th at start number two over this distance on February 9th having led for much of the way. She has the challenge of the widest gate but can lead again and be in this. (4) DALBIT GEURIMJA did nothing on debut when slowly away in that same February 9th race, but previously trialed up well and in this company, that’s enough to give him another chance. (6) YONGAM GIPPEUM and (5) JAJONSIM GONGJU perhaps the best of a very limited rest.

Selections(1) Nice Winner (11) Yes Angel (4) Dalbit Geurumja (6) Yongam Gippeum
Next Best5, 7
Fast Start1, 2, 5, 11

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

(5) ISEUL CHEOREOM has raced three times with a 2nd and a 3rd from her latest two, most recently at this distance on January 25th when leading for much of the way around, She draws well to lead here too and she has every chance of going all the way. (4) GRIFFON was an improved 2nd at start number three at this distance on February 9th, settling midfield and running on. Expect similar tactics here and he can be a danger late. It would be a big surprise if that pair fail to fill out the quinella. (11) SWITCH POWER didn’t impress last time out but if we go on her 3rd place on January 4th over the distance, she has to be given a placing chance in this company. (2) TAEGISAN KING and (7) EAGLE WINGS are others potentially better than their respective latest starts indicate.

Selections(5) Iseul Cheoreom (4) Griffon (11) Switch Power (2) Taegisan King
Next Best7, 8
Fast Start2, 3, 5, 8

Seoul Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies (and one mare) only here. (2) BYEOKSONG made all to win at start number two on December 28th and came close to repeating on her first try at this class on February 9th when ultimately finishing 3rd but beating three of today’s rivals. She is up marginally in trip but from a better gate can get on or close to the speed again and can go all the way. (11) DESTINO won on debut on January 25th stalking the pace throughout and proving too strong. She comes up in class and slightly in trip but is down in weight and she can measure up in this company. (1) MISS CONCORD had a poor day at the office last time out but comes into a much better gate today and her form leading up to that was good. (3) HERO JILJU and (9) EXCELLENT MATTA are others in the frame.

Selections(2) Byeoksong (11) Destino (1) Miss Concord (3) Hero Jilju
Next Best9, 7
Fast Start2, 3, 9, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(10) RAON NIZHINSKII got his maiden win three starts back and has since run 3rd in both tries at this class, both at 1300M. His running style suggests that the extended trip can suit, and he has as much chance as any in this competitive field. (2) DAZZLE RUSH is yet to win in five attempts but has three-runner-up finishes to his name, including at this class and distance on January 5th when beating a few of today’s rivals. He also finishes ahead of a couple in his latest at 1800M on January 29th and with an apprentice jockey taking 3kg of his back here, he shapes as a real chance to make his breakthrough. (3) K POWERFUL had a hard time from a wide draw on his first try at this distance on January 12th but coming in here after eight weeks off and in a better gate, is worth another chance. (11) STUNNING MONEY and (8) BLACK SIDAE among plenty of others with placing chances.

Selections(10) Raon Nizhinskii (2) Dazzle Rush (3) K Powerful (11) Stunning Money
Next Best8, 1
Fast Start2, 7, 8, 10

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(more…)

Busan Friday: Race-By-Race Preview (March 7)

The weekend’s racing gets underway at Busan on Friday with an 8-race card from 11:25 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

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

Maidens with nine of the twelve racing for the first time. After an ordinary trial. (4) REIGN QUEEN overcame gate eleven on debut on January 24th to settle midfield and go on to run 2nd. She should have come on for that run and from a much better gate she can go one better today. Among the first time starters, (12) GRAND MORE looks the best. He led for most of the way around in his heat ultimately crossing the line a close 2nd and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, if he brings that form to the races, he should be close and will probably start as favourite. (8) SEOGWI LADY and (5) NAMHAE MAGIC also hinted at ability in their respective trials and can go well first-up, while (2) FLEX TAP was 5th behind Reign Queen in that January 24th race and with some natural improvement, can get closer.

Selections(4) Reign Queen (12) Grand More (8) Seogwi Lady (5) Namhae Magic
Next Best2, 7
Fast Start8, 9, 11, 12

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

After two promising trials, (6) VANGIE was well backed on debut over this trip on February 7th and while he led, he went walkabout a bit in the closing stages and ultimately finished 4th, albeit with a couple of today’s rivals behind him. He should have learned a bit from that and with a more mature effort here, he can win. (11) SHACKLE LAUD has been knocking on the door across six starts so far with his best being a 2nd place at this distance. Seo Seung-un climbs on for the first time and she should be there or thereabouts again. (9) BABEL COME ON has picked up in his latest two with a 3rd and a 4th most recently beating a couple of today’s rivals on February 14th. He will join Vangie on pace and he can be a danger. (7) DORAON SAMSON and (5) HANEUL GOLD among others in the hunt.

Selections(6) Vangie (11) Shackle Laud (9) Babel Come On (7) Doraon Samson
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start2, 5, 3, 9

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. After running 2nd on debut, (11) ACE HIGH got her maiden win at start number two with a dominant seven-length win over this distance on February 7th, leading all the way. She comes up in class and has the challenge of a wide gate, but both can be overcome, and she can win again. (4) TEAM SURPRISE is yet to win in nine attempts but has no fewer than seven top five finishes. She enters off three consecutive 3rd places, most recently her first try at this class, and from a good draw she can match or better that here. (9) JINJU BIT was an improved 5th at her second start back following a six-month absence. She has placed at this trip before and third-up this preparation, she can be peaking. (6) SAENAE HIT and (12) THIS WAY among others to consider.

Selections(11) Ace High (4) Team Surprise (9) Jinju Bit (6) Saenae Hit
Next Best12, 3
Fast Start1, 3, 9, 11

Busan Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(5) BEOLGYO MASULSA got his maiden win at start number two over this distance on February 9th when settling handy before taking things up just over halfway home and running on to win easily. He is up in class but down in weight, draws well, and can win again. (12) RAON THE MASKE is one for one having taken a narrow win on debut over 1200M on February 7th. He too is up in class and down in weight and while he draws wide, he can measure up in this company. It’s been a long time since (3) SEOGWI OREUM got his maiden win but he has placed five times at this class and from a good draw can be in the mix. (7) BIG JAWS and (8) BATTLE CRY other strong placing hopes.

Selections(5) Beolgyo Masulsa (12) Raon The Maske (3) Seogwi Oreum (7) Big Jaws
Next Best9, 11
Fast Start3, 5, 8, 9

Busan Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) FLYING THE LUCKY has been working back towards a second win and most recently beat plenty of these on his way to 2nd place at this class and distance on February 7th, coming from well off the pace. He only comes up 1kg on the weights and can go past the lot of them this time. (2) STAR PARK is the danger, who was 4th in that February 7th race having settled midfield and run on. Franco, who has placed on him both times he rode him stays on and while he is a twenty-one-race maiden, it’s not impossible today could be his day. (4) FUERTE was 4th in that same race but he has placed three times over the trip and with Munro climbing on, he can be close. (12) ARION TAYANG and the up in class (9) TOHAMSAN TAEYANG are other placing chances.

Selections(3) Flying The Lucky (2) Star Park (4) Fuerte (12) Arion Taeyang
Next Best9, 10
Fast Start5, 6, 9, 12

Busan Race 6: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(more…)

Sunday Seoul & Busan: Race-By-Race Preview (March 2)

Sunday’s racing is at Seoul with 11 races from 10:35 to 18:00, and at Busan with 6 races from 12:05 to 16:30. Here are the previews:

Seo Beom-seok and CC Wong will team up again with the “Famous” silks (Pic: KRA)

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

Not the strongest of maidens to kick off with. (1) BILLION BOY trotted along at the back on debut but was a much-improved 2nd at start two over this distance on January 19th, leading for much of the way. He draws well to lead again and won’t need to improve very much to win this. (3) DUSON EUTTEUM also picked up on her latest when 4th in a filly only maiden at the end of December. She comes in fresh after nine weeks off and can build on that here. (11) SEMYEONG STRONG has a 2nd place on his record and while he must contend with the widest gate, he has a decent finish on him and can challenge late. (6) COMMAND BLUE and (8) CYCLONE STAR are others who could improve.  

Selections(1) Billion Boy (3) Duson Eutteum (11) Semyeong Strong (6) Command Blue
Next Best8, 5
Fast Start1, 2, 4, 5

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

(1) CUPID K has been knocking at the door across her five starts so far, most recently a 2nd place over this distance on January 25th when slow away and running on well. If she can be a bit further forward a bit earlier, she is very much the one to beat here. (7) JOSE also has a 2nd place on her record and comes in following a 4th at 1200M on January 19th. She should be on pace in this company and can be in this a long way. (2) GOOGOO ran 2nd last time in a slow race at 1400M. She has placed at this trip too, and from a nice draw can sit behind whatever early speed there is and can challenge. (6) DIRT SPOON and (8) KING WARRIOR are among others with at least placing chances.

Selections(1) Cupid K (7) Jose (2) Googoo (6) Dirt Spoon
Next Best8, 10
Fast Start4, 7, 8, 9

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(3) UMA DACHI ran a shock 2nd place at this distance at odds of 65/1 on February 9th, settling midfield and running on. While that may have been unexpected, in this company a similar effort can see him go one better. (10) PERFECT DANAEUN hinted at improvement last time out on January 18th when 4th over this distance. He can settle back in this field and can run into some money again. (2) BLUE SUN has finished 5th in both starts so far at 1200M and 1400M. He draws well here and with Maia climbing on, can get closer. (9) K N STORM beat a couple of these on his way to 3rd place at this distance on January 26th and in a race that is no stronger can be in the hunt again. (4) HIGH FOLLY perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Selections(3) Uma Dachi (10) Perfect Danaeun (2) Blue Sun (9) K N Storm
Next Best4, 6
Fast Start1, 4, 5, 7

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

(3) PLUTO won a trial at the tail end of last year and then ran a solid 2nd place on debut on January 24th, leading for much of the way around and beating a couple of today’s rivals in the process. He should have come on for that run and will be a warm favourite to go all the way this time. (10) BEOLGYOUI HIM was 4th in that same race after a slow start saw him settle right back. He also has a 2nd place to his name and with the wide draw not a problem he can challenge late here. (6) SO GOOD was an improved 3rd place at start number three on January 17th only narrowly on the wrong side of a tight three-way finish. Seo Seung-un stays aboard and he can be a danger. (4) CHOEGANG TRIPLE and (8) JEONGMUN FELIX are the other contenders.

Selections(3) Pluto (10) Beolgyoui Him (6) So Good (4) Choegang Triple
Next Best8, 9
Fast Start3, 4, 8, 9

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

Fillies and mares only here. (9) BEOLGYO GRAMMY got her maiden win at 1000M last October and then took a couple of goes to get to grips with this level. Last time out she overcame a wide draw to come from off the pace for a solid 3rd place over this distance and while she carries 2kg more this time, she can win. (7) ANDAMIRO was a beaten favourite in a similar race to this on February 9th when settling midfield but only managing to run on for 5th. At her previous start she was a good 3rd and from a slightly better gate today, she can be given another chance. (4) SEOMDOLMORU is yet to win but is up in class following back-to-back 2nd places at this distance. She carries a light weight, she draws well, and she can measure up in this modest company. (3) SEMYEONG DIA and (10) GULJAK SUN are perhaps the best of a limited rest.

Selections(9) Beolgyo Grammy (7) Andamiro (4) Seomdolmoru (3) Semyeong Dia
Next Best10, 2
Fast Start1, 3, 9, 10

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(4) MORNING DEW got his maiden win three starts back and has since raced twice at this class, both times ending in 3rd place at 1200M, most recently on January 24th when beating a couple of today’s rivals. In this company he can be expected to be on or close to the pace – as he was when he won – and he is the one to beat here. (10) MONSTER DRAGON returns to action for the first time since last May. Before the layoff he registered a win and three 3rd places from four starts and has been gelded since. He trialed up well and while his match fitness will have to be taken on trust, he has quality. (11) MAENGNYONG is yet to win but has four 2nd places from five starts and should be there or thereabouts again. (1) EVERY KING IJI and (7) STORMING MAGIC others in the frame.

Selections(4) Morning Dew (10) Monster Dragon (11) Maengnyong (1) Every King Iji
Next Best7, 5
Fast Start3, 4, 6, 11

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

It’s been seven starts since (6) SHINE BOLT got his maiden win, but he has put in a few decent efforts since, not least last time out on January 25th when he was an on pace 2nd at this class and distance. Ruan Maia rode him for the first time that day and he stays on here with every chance of going one better. (10) NURI CHEONWANG got his maiden win at this class and distance on January 18th, coming from off the pace. He comes up 3.5kg in weight but he has never finished worse than 2nd and he can be firmly in the mix again. (7) MORE THAN JOKE has been the beaten favourite on each of his last three outings. His latest effort was his only poor one though and from a slightly better gate he can be given another chance today, if not as favourite. (3) LEGEND WOW and (5) SCALE KING the other contenders.

Selections(6) Shine Bolt (10) Nuri Cheonwang (7) More Than Joke (3) Legend Wow
Next Best5, 2
Fast Start1, 7, 9, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(more…)