The 2025 Korean Triple Crown gets underway on Sunday with the KRA Cup Mile (1600M KOR-G2) at Busan. It is the last race on a 6-race card on the south coast that runs from 12:05 to 16:30. Up at Seoul there are 11-races from 10:35 to 18:00. Here are the previews:
Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(1) STUNNING WORLD has a 2nd place to her name, recorded on her final run as a juvenile over this distance at the end of December. She has raced just the once since when slow away from a wide draw and running on for 5th. She comes into a much better gate today and won’t need to improve much to win this modest maiden. (10) CHOEGANG SPEED was a fiar 5th in debut over this distance on March 1st, settling back and finishing off well enough. He should have come on for that run and can be closer here. Debut maker (3) RAON THE BIG RED tried and failed to qualify a couple of times last summer. He was then gelded and put away until this March when he was a good 3rd in a trial. If he brings that form to the races he has every chance. (5) BREEDO TROPHY and (8) DREAM LYZE others who can improve.
| Selections | (1) Stunning World (10) Choegang Speed (3) Raon The Big Red (5) Breedo Trophy |
| Next Best | 8, 4 |
| Fast Start | 2., 3, 4, 6 |
Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(4) HIGH CROWN is the one to beat here. He has a 2nd on his record and enters off a solid enough 4th place at 1300M on March 15th when settling just behind the speed and running through the line. In this company he should be on or close to the speed and he can goa ll the way. (5) GWACHEON QUEEN got a long way back when well supported over this distance on February 9th. At the start before she was a good 3rd, running on, and coming in fresh after eight weeks off and with conditions now different, she can be given another chance. (10) LOVE SCARLET was an improved 4th at start number two on March 9th. The wide draw shouldn’t be a problem and 3rd up she can be peaking. (9) ECLIPSE TANGO and (6) SEMYEONG STRONG are others in the placing hunt.
| Selections | (4) High Crown (5) Gwacheon Queen (10) Love Scarlet (9) Eclipse Tango |
| Next Best | 6, 8 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 7, 8 |
Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million
(5) KING WARRIOR has hinted at ability across six starts so far with his best being a 3rd and his most recent a solid 4th over 1300M on March 2nd when on pace throughout and briefly leading. Ruan Maia rode him that day and stays on and he has as much chance as any. (3) MALSGO was a significantly improved 3rd when beating a couple of these at this distance on March 8th. He was ridden forward for the first time that day and from a good draw, expect similar tactics with the chance of going all the way. (2) HAKSAN PRINCE and (8) ISEUL CHEOREOM were 4th and 5th respectively in that March 8th race and both should be able to have a say here. (6) LALA GIRL also picked up when 2nd on her latest and can build on that here.
| Selections | (5) King Warrior (3) Malsgo (2) Haksan Prince (8) Iseul Cheoreom |
| Next Best | 6, 7 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 6, 8 |
Busan Race 1: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
It’s not often we start a card at 1800M but here we are, and it is very competitive with just fillies and mares. (5) BROWN FALCON was the longest but one shot on the board at a mile on March 14th, but she made a mockery of that by coming from well back to run 2nd, beating a couple of these in the process. She remains lightly weighted and from a better gate she can go one better. (1) SEONGSIL SIHWA was one of those beaten in that race but she has a class and distance 4th on a tougher race than this as recently as January and with Franco climbing on for the first time, she can get closer. (3) ARION QUEEN mixes her form but was 3rd at this class and distance two starts back and should be there or thereabouts again. (9) JILJU YEOLJEONG and (4) LASER GRIT others to consider.
| Selections | (5) Brown Falcon (1) Seongsil Sihwa (3) Arion Queen (9) Jilju Yeoljeong |
| Next Best | 4, 7 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 7, 9 |
Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(1) TAPDINE was 3rd in both his first two starts before breaking through at start three over this distance on February 23rd when leading from gate to wire. He comes up in class today and while he doesn’t get much of a weight break, he draws very well to lead again, and he can repeat. (2) WONDERFUL FAPPY has been a touch disappointing in two tries at this class since getting his maiden win in December. In this company and drawn well he can be challenging Tapdine for the early lead and is worth another chance. (8) BEOLGYO D Y is yet to win in eight attempts but has three 2nd places including last time out over 1300M at this class. He can settle behind the speed and run on here and he should be close. The up in class pair of (9) UMA DACHI and (7) YES ANGEL others to consider.
| Selections | (1) Tapdine (2) Wonderful Fappy (8) Beolgyo D Y (9) Uma Dachi |
| Next Best | 7, 5 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 3, 7 |
Busan Race 2: Clas 6 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 30 Million
(6) OH FANTASTIC was anything but on debut, working hard to lead from the widest gate but ultimately knocking up very fast and finishing last. She was well backed that day having previously made all the running in a trial and from a much better draw, we’ll trust she has learned from the experience and give her another chance. (12) NAMHAE MAGIC was beaten by Oh Fantastic in his trial but was much more assured on debut when 4th over this distance on March 7th. He should have come on for that run and while he has the challenge of the widest gate, can be a danger. (5) IT’S OK was 4th on debut all the way back in July last year. She hasn’t raced since but she looked well in a March trial, showing on pace, and she can go well first-up in this company. (11) FLY GIRL and (1) I CAME can improve on inauspicious debuts.
| Selections | (6) Oh Fantastic (12) Namhae Magic (5) It’s Ok (11) Fly Girl |
| Next Best | 1, 3 |
| Fast Start | 4, 5, 6, 11 |
Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
(10) SSOARA STAR broke through at this class and distance on March 1st, settling midfield and running on. He comes up 3kg in weight and he needs to deal with the widest gate, but neither should be an issue, and he is favoured to win again. (3) JOSE is yet to win in seven, but she comes up in class following a runner-up finish over 1300M on March 3rd. She is down in weight, very nicely drawn to lead, and she could be the special one here. (1) HIGH FOLLY got his maiden win when leading all the way over 1400M odds in excess of 20/1 on March 22nd. That brings him up in class but down in weight and drawn nicely, he can measure up. (8) MENI SHARK and (5) GEOSEN POKJU others who can have a say.
| Selections | (10) Ssoara Star (3) Jose (1) High Folly (8) Meni Shark |
| Next Best | 5, 6 |
| Fast Start | 3, 5, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million
Ultra-competitive. We’ll take a chance on (12) CANCAN STEP. She got her maiden win three outings back and comes in following a 2nd place at this class over 1400M on March 14th. She does like to race on pace so the wide draw is a concern, but she has as good a chance as any. (8) FLASH PARK was a winner on debut over 1200M on February 21st, settling behind the speed and running on. He is up in class but down in weight, Seo Seung-un stays on and he may well start as favourite. (10) UNION CHAMP raced twice last August for a win and a 2nd place. She hasn’t been seen since, but she came though a trial well at the start of March and while she will need this, can be supported first-up. (11) WONDERFUL FEVER and (1) DOCTOR LOUIS among plenty of others with at least place chances.
| Selections | (12) Cancan Step (8) Flash Park (10) Union Champ (11) Wonderful Fever |
| Next Best | 1, 2 |
| Fast Start | 7, 8, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(5) K POWERFUL comes in having led every step of the way to win at this distance on March 8th. He is up in class but comes down 2kg in weight and from a good draw, he can be on pace again and can win again. (11) TINA K is a non-winner of fourteen but has six finishes between 2nd and 4th. That includes last time out on March 9th when coming from off the pace to beat a couple of these at this class and distance. Her racing style means the wide gate shouldn’t be a problem and the only filly in the field is the main danger here. (1) HANGANG GLORY has been working back into form in his latest few and down in weight and drawn well is a place chance. (8) JEONGSANG HAEDOTI hinted at improvement last time and along with (7) SPEEDY ROOKIE is another to consider for the minors.
| Selections | (5) K Powerful (11) Tina K (1) Hangang Glory (8) Jeongsang Haedoti |
| Next Best | 7, 2 |
| Fast Start | 2, 5, 6, 10 |
Busan Race 4: Class 4 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Competitive race with plenty entering in form. (9) DUSTIN MARINE won back-to-back races in December and January to get rapidly promoted to this class and then proved he can measure up with a 2nd place behind Dangdae Star at 1400M when handy throughout on February 23rd. He tackles the mile for the first time but there is no reason it can’t suit, and he can return to the winner’s circle. (12) WONDERFUL BIDDER was a class and distance winner two starts back before running 3rd on February 28th. He has his fair share of weight but has proven to be versatile in his running style and the wide draw shouldn’t matter (10) BACKTOTHECHAMPION comes back in trip following recent efforts at 1800M. He has won at the mile and can be competitive here. (6) BUDDY BUDDY and (11) SANGSANGGEUISANG others to consider at least on a place line.
| Selections | (9) Dustin Marine (12) Wonderful Bidder (10) Backtothechampion (6) Buddy Buddy |
| Next Best | 11, 2 |
| Fast Start | 1, 6, 9, 12 |
Seoul Race 7: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
Fillies and mares only here. (6) STUNNING LADY has plenty of experience at this class and enters off a fair 5th at this distance on March 2nd in a similar race to this where she was just behind the speed throughout. In this company and drawn well, she can be on pace and has every chance of going all the way. (4) GEUMAK JINJU was an 11/1 winner at this class over 1200M on March 8th, leading all the way. She comes up 3kg in weight and she very much mixes her form but drawn well, she isn’t to be dismissed. (11) SHOOTING REVERSE hinted at a return to form when 4th at a mile last time and under a light weight could offer some each-way appeal. (3) CHALLANHAN BULKKOT and (8) ILDONG BAKSU are others in the frame.
| Selections | (6) Stunning Lady (4) Geumak Jinju (11) Shooting Reverse (3) Challanhan Bulkkot |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 2, 5, 6 |
Busan Race 5: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(8) DRAGON NINJA was 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Rookie last November before running 2nd at a mile at class 4 level in January. He finished 6th of nine in Busan’s Classic Trial a month later and instead of going to the KRA Cup Mile later this afternoon, lands here instead. He’ll be expected to win. (6) FANTASTIC WOMAN had a hard time in elite filly and mare company last autumn, but she comes back to a trip at which she has won three times and with Franco aboard, can be a danger here. (12) WIDAEHAN SEONTAEK was 2nd at this class and distance two starts back and can settle back from the widest gate and challenge late. (9) BORN DIA and (5) LEMON BULPAE are other potential placers.
| Selections | (8) Dragon Ninja (6) Fantastic Woman (12) Widaehan Seontaek (9) Born Dia |
| Next Best | 5, 3 |
| Fast Start | 2, 7, 9, 10 |
Seoul Race 8: Class 3 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(6) RAON TIMOTH was a winner at this class and distance two starts back before running 4th on March 8th but beating a couple of today’s rivals. He remains fairly weighted, draws well to be on or close to the speed, and he looks a winning chance. (4) EXCELLENT TAN comes up in class following back-to-back wins at 1200M. He has nine top five finishes from fourteen starts and while he is stretching out to the 1400M for the first time, there is no reason why he won’t cope with it. (1) HAKSAN MACHO will need a line drawn through his latest, but he was a winner at class 4 at this distance two starts when coming from well off the pace. He is worth another chance here and a probable each-way price. (3) HANURI – who also needs a pass on his latest – and (11) J MOTION are others to consider.
| Selections | (6) Raon Timoth (4) Excellent Tan (1) Haksan Macho (3) Hanuri |
| Next Best | 11, 7 |
| Fast Start | 4, 6, 7, 11 |
Busan Race 6: Class Open (1600M) Special Weight A / KRA Cup Mile (KOR-G2) / KRW 700 Million
The first leg of the Triple Crown. (9) OASIS BLUE was the emphatic winner of the Gyeongnam Shinmun, Busan’s Classic Trial, prior to which he scored over 1800M at class 4 level leading all the way around. On both those efforts, he is the one to beat here. His stablemate (3) BEOLMAUI ANGEL could prove his biggest threat. A winner of four from eight up to class 3 level, he has the highest rating of any of these. He was 4th on first try at a mile last time out having shown on pace throughout. That should stand him in good stead here, he draws beautifully, and in Seo Seung-un he has a big race jockey on board. The Seoul contingent is led by (13) CHAN FAMOUS, who comes in having won the Sports Seoul Trophy, the capitals Classic trial, coming from off the pace. That took him to three wins from nine, the mile should surely suit, and he can be close. (1) LONG RUN BULPAE was 2nd in the Sports Seoul having shown on pace. Only Beolmaui Angel has a higher rating and from the inside gate he can be the one they need to pass. (7) CAPTAIN P.K. and (10) WONDERFUL NORTHERN others who can be in the mix.
| Selections | (9) Oasis Blue (3) Beolmaui Angel (13) Chan Famous (1) Long Run Bulpae |
| Next Best | 7, 10 |
| Fast Start | 1, 3, 7, 14 |
Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million
(9) GOLD MUNGCHI has taken to 1800M very nicely with a 3rd in February and then on March 1st a win, both at this class. He comes up 2.5kg in weight today but in this small field, Maia can pick his spot to settle, and he can win again. (1) SEONGEUN CROWN is yet to score at this distance but has a 2nd and a 4th from his latest two. He remains very well in at the weights and shapes as the main danger. (2) MR. POWER comes up to the distance for the first time. His latest effort at 1400M was underwhelming but he was a winner at this class in December and from a good draw may well be ridden on pace with a chance to be in this a long way. (3) COMPLETE LEADER comes down in grade and with an apprentice mitigating the associated weight rise, can be firmly in the mix here. (7) THUNDER HORSE the other placing chance.
| Selections | (9) Gold Mungchi (1) Seongeun Crown (2) Mr. Power (3) Complete Leader |
| Next Best | 7, 6 |
| Fast Start | 2, 4, 5, 9 |
Seoul Race 10: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million
(7) MIGHTY TAP has been working back towards another win, most recently when a close 2nd at this class and distance on March 2nd. He remains under the same light weight, and he is the one to beat. (2) WORLD BLAME was disappointing last start when a long way back before challenging and then fadin again. He is a winner at this distance though and has placed at this class and he can be a danger of there is some pace to run at. (4) SAHARAMOND is a bit of a wildcard as he tackles 1800M for the first time. He is back up in class after coming from well back to run 2nd at 1200M last time out but down 6kg in weight, he can be competitive. (5) NARAOLA and (8) MAKING STORY other sin line for the minors.
| Selections | (7) Mighty Tap (2) World Blame (4) Saharamond (5) Naraola |
| Next Best | 8, 9 |
| Fast Start | 1, 4, 6, 8 |
Seoul Race 11: Class 1 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 110 Million
Class 1 but with a rating cap of 95. (1) BLACK BELT comes out of a spin around in the Herald Business Trophy at 2000M when he had to deal with gate fourteen as well as the best staying horses in the country. He comes back in trip today, draws a good gate for the first time in a long time, and in more amenable company is the one to beat. (2) FOREVER DREAM enters in consistent form and while he carries his fair share of weight, Maia climbing up is a plus and he can be a danger. (7) CHOEGANG BLADE returned from nine months out to run 2nd over 1200M in February. That brings him up in class, but he is down significantly in weight, he should strip fitter for that run, and he may be an attractive each way option. (4) GLOBAL BOBAE and (10) COMPLETE LEVEL among plenty of other place chances.
| Selections | (1) Black Belt (2) Forever Dream (7) Choegang Blade (4) Global Bobae |
| Next Best | 10, 3 |
| Fast Start | 5, 7, 9, 10 |
Horse Racing in Korea 